A Blog a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
I began preparing for this blog earlier this morning, but I got interupted by a group of Seniors who had arrived for their tour of the building. I had a group and was surprised to find them pleasant, bright, inquisitive and altogether enjoyable

Wow, what a blog explosion the last couple of days. I'm totally knocked off my blog. It's hard to believe, but there has been glowing praise of Donna Brazille on this blog for two days in a row. But your right Marc, she seems intelligent when she doesn't have to spin for Al Bore.

Although President Bush is going to take credit for the economy growing so fast last quarter, I'm attributing it to the fact that Jason got his refund check last quarter. He's possibly singularly responsible for the jump in consumer purchasing. ZING I think the Democrats still have a fight here, because we have yet to see sustained growth since 9-11. Further, it seems that this recovery is occuring without a great many jobs being created, keeping the unemployment number at about 6%. If this number doesn't improve, and it very well might, people are still going to consider this a weak economy. These numbers won't matter as much to people if they or their neighbors or family continue to be unable to find work. As a matter of fact, Marc, maybe you could blame the whole Discovery Store fiasco on this "jobless recovery." ZING

In straight eye for the queer guy news, Lay-Z-Boy has just released a new line of furntiure designed by and aimed at the hipster crowd. I'm not sure why any of us will care about this, although I'm fairly certain that we will.

The National Institutes of Health is facing criticism about certain studies they've been conducting that D.C.-based church groups find "smarmy." The article lists several studies they've conducted, some of which sound outlandish, to say the least. The real question is, as I see it: Since these studies are conducted and funded by the government, does the public have the right to evaluate them based not only on scientifc value but their own sense of morality and cultural values? Or, since our form of government is a republic, and not a pure democracy, and the NIH members are appointed by elected officials but not elected themselves, can the NIH, overseen by members of the executive and legislative branch, conduct research as it sees fit under the law? It's a sticky situation, I think, but I would have to lean toward the latter answer.

Charles Krauthammer weighed in on the Greg Easterbrook affair, basically saying that there is some real anti-Semitism in this world and to leave this guy alone.

I had decided to refrain from Redskins related bloggery, but since Marc brought it up, here goes. I'm worried about this Russell character, but Wilbon has hope. And, for the time being, so will I.

The Times-News is reporting that a drunk drive caused about 1800 people to lose power the other day. The most interesting part of this is that I think I know the guy who did it. The driver was identified as Thaddeus Terrance Carolan, 26. If this is the right Thad, he graduated from Walsh one or two years ahead of Draper, Joe and I. Further, if this is the Thad I'm thinking of, I took American History with him in High School. Jason, Joe: Do you think this is "our" Thad? I mean, how many Thads can there be in Allegany County?

Jason asked me to post the HTML code for getting words to scroll. I can't figure out how to post code, so just check the source code on my Rod Roddy post.

Peace & Love,
Tony

Skins Win, Ramsey Gang-raped
Good news, T-Bone - the Skins signed Darrell Russell! Here are the details of his crimes:

Russell tested positive for the designer drug Ecstasy in 2001, and he began that season serving a four-game suspension, but the sanction then was elevated to an indefinite one. While under league suspension, Russell was charged with drugging a woman with GHB, the so-called "date rape drug," and videotaping two friends allegedly raping her. But all 25 counts in that case were dropped in Sept. 2002 for lack of evidence.

Marc

Donna Brazile: Not As Stupid As She Looks
You know, when she's not on someone's payroll, she can say some pretty intelligent things. Brazile said this about the Democrats on Iraq:

There's a huge credibility gap our party has on national security--not because we don't have enough military medals, but because we have no plan of action.

Marc

It's Morning Again In America
7.2% GDP growth in the third quarter - the fastest growth in one quarter since Q1, 1984. Anybody remember what else happened that year?

Marc

Fuck Me In The Goat-Ass
Well, I talked to Discovery Channel yesterday. They said that there were no positions open at the moment, but they would keep my application on file. Jerkoffs.

On the bright side, I have an interview tomorrow with Kelmscott and on Tuesday with Baltimore County Public Library. And Joe has a job! Come on Draper...

Marc

A Hodge Podge of Potpouri
I've got alot of links today, so here goes:

Some unsurprising but nonetheless alarming news about infants and toddlers and how much time they spend watching TV, DVDs and playing on the computer and how much time they don't spend reading or being read to. I'm going to email this link to my mother as well. As you know, Lucas and Maggie each have a television in their room and have for a couple of years. I know I watched a lot of television as a child, but I also played three different sports all year until I was in sixth grade. Then I dropped football, picking it up again in 7th grade. Meanwhile I played basketball until 8th grade and baseball through at least the summer after my freshman year of High School. The point is, I was outside or engaged in activities other than television for a large part of my time as a youngster, and I still watched too much TV. Kids today watch even more television than I used to and do even less outside.

I've got three political links, all involving the Democratic nomination. Edwards (Some good stuff in here about what voters want out of candidates) campaign is faultering, but why. He's got money (or did, before he starting outspending what he was taking in), good looks and charm and is from the South. So why is he struggling? I think it's because he's vacuous and people can smell it on him...Sharpton went after Dean the other day, although his real target was Rep Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL), who has offered his support to Dean. Sharpton called Dean anti-black. Donna Brazille, my new best friend since she pressured Carole Mosley Braun to jump in this race in order to siphon off votes from Sharpton, called Sharpton's comments ridiculous. In my opinion, this can only help Dean...David Broder chided the New York Times today for congratulating a couple of candidates for eschewing New Hampshire and Iowa. He called the Times "snobbish."

OBLIGATORY REDSKINS LINK OF THE DAY
Sally Jenkins has a few choice words for the Danny regarding how you run a professional football team. Also, note that the Skins, maybe the team with the worst chemistry and cohesion in all of professional football, are going after a former Oakland Raiders player who even the Raiders found morally repugnant. Nice.

Until next time kids,
Tony

Rod Roddy, come on up...to heaven

Rod Roddy, dead today at age 66

Rod Roddy, the golden throat of television who served as announcer of such venerated game shows as Press Your Luck and The Price is Right, died today of complications from colon and breast cancer. Now we are faced with the task of finding someone who can wear his flashy outfits and sequined blazers now that he is not of this world. My nominee: Andy Dick.

Peace & Love,
Tony

Is Sammy Baugh Dead?
You might recognize Norman Chad as a sometimes guest-host on PTI and as Gabe Kaplan's ESPN partner at televised Poker games, but he's also a sports columnist for the Washington Post. He usually writes about sports as he sees it from his couch or barstool. This week he tackles a newly emerging foe, the fantasy football freak. I've had my suspicions about this crowd for sometime, but I'm now convinced that my worst suspicions are true. They will not only ruin football but sports and eventually, all of society.

I know this won't be my last post about the Redskins' quarterback troubles, but here goes. Danny Wuerfel's not coming. He's passed on the offer and the Skins will now promote Hamden to the 53-man roster. So, to recap: One quarterback, the franchise, who's been sacked more than any other quarterback in the league and hasn't finished a game in two weeks. Two quarterbacks who have never thrown a pass in an NFL game. You know, the Broncos have been looking at Jeff George of late. If they don't take him, why not?

Peace & Love,
Tony

And The Leon Award Goes To...
Keyshawn! Props to Gruden for handling that turd the right way:
Passes thrown to Keyshawn - 3
Passes thrown to Keenan McCardell - 11
Zap!

It Could Have Been Worse

Hey Draper, the last time Marc Bulger was in Pittsburgh, he threw for 409 yards and 6 TDs, beating Pitt 52-14. And just for the record, this is not the Steelers' worst start ever - only their worst since '88, when they went 1-6 on their way to a 5-11 season.

Marc

Mmm, that's good bloggin'
Good to hear that TMQ will return at some point. Easterbrooke seems to be taking this whole thing pretty hard, which I guess you've got to expect.

Novak and Broder on Meet the Press this Sunday!

I'm going to try to keep the Redskins talk brief, before I become a single-issue blogger. The Skins are apparently having trouble getting Wuerfel and are now faced with only two quarterbacks (one who might be dead before the season's over and one who has never thrown a pass in an NFL game) as well as a third on their practice squad who may have to get promoted to the actual roster soon (Gilbran something from Indiana)...Here's an interesting nugget from California. San Fransico Mayor Willie Brown left rival city supervisor in charge for a day and teh guy appointed people to government positions and had them secretly sworn in. You'd think this was crazy, but seeing as it is in California it doesn't really seem that odd...In case anyone's interested, Google is going public and will be having an IPO in the near future. Seems like a good stock to get into, and I suggest we all pool our resources and invest...

Peace & Love,
Tony

TMQ Update
Gregg Easterbrook addresses the TMQ situation at Football Outsiders, a pretty interesting site in its own right. Easterbrook says TMQ will be back soon somewhere.

Marc

Dead-Skins Part Deux

THIS IS THE 100TH BLOG ENTRY

I know I've ranted about this before, but I can't help myself. The Redskins seem to be going out of their way to piss me off. Now Spurrier says that he's going to get back to his style of football. Long pass plays and plenty of them. Attn Steve Spurrier: YOU DO NOT HAVE AN OFFENSIVE LINE. Ramsey is going to be murdered, Wuerful will be brought in as a number three, but will be the starting quarterback (due to Tim Hasselback's lack of experience) probably before Thanksgiving. I am really in a state of shock. Spurrier said that he's going to play his game plan and if it doesn't work, then it doesn't work. He's not going to focus on establishing a ground game. You know, they call it coneventional wisdom for a reason. This team needs to be about more than Steve Spurrier's ego. The most important thing has to be winning and not testing the Spurrier philosophy on the NFL. The Redskins used to be a quality franchise. We've won three Super Bowls. Let him experiement in Seattle. Once again, like always, I'm so sick of this shit.

BJ Rudell, who was an organizer in the Southwest part of New Hampshire for Bill Bradley and whom Liz and I worked with while we were there, has written and published a book, Only in New Hampshire. Liz and I, as well as Holly and a girl named Sarah are all featured prominenetly in the book. Now my antics will be saved for posterity.

Peace & Love,
Tony

BREAKING NEWS
Gregg Easterbrook has been sacked from his gig at TMQ. He said some rather bizzare things about Disney related executives in a New Republic Blog, and has since been released of his duties at ESPN.com. I think He basically accused them of not being good Jews for supporting Tarrentino's new violent movie.
Tony

MPRC
I Have another meeting with MPRC next week. Hooray. I am one of their strongest candidates and they want me to see the day to day operations. Holy fucking shit.

Draper

Dead-Skins
I can't believe it. My mother was right. Kinda. She said that the Redskins would get another quarterback after Ramsey went down on Sunday, and they did just that. In order to shake up the team and get them out of this funk, they've cut Rob Johnson and signed Tim Hasselback. Let me repeat that. THEY CUT ROB JOHNSON. That's the answer? Are you fucking kidding me? There are a variety of things wrong with this course of action, but the most glaring being: How in the fuck is that suppossed to help? Further, Johnson has NFL experience and has actually been a starting quarterback in this league. Hasselback, brother of Seattle Hasselbeck, has never thrown a pass in a regulation NFL game. NEVER. Truth be told, I think it's the first step in Spurrier's plan to resign Danny Wuerfle. Spurier made it clear when Wuerfle was cut that he would consider resigning him if the need arose during the season. This is a bad football team, with bad owners, bad coaches and players with shitty attitudes. On Sunday they looked like they'd never seen each other before. I hope this is Spurrier's last season, cause i don't know how much more of this I can take. It's not that he's losing. I can deal with that. (Gibbs went 8-8 his first year, eventually won 3 Super Bowls; Schottenheimer also went 8-8 his first year). It's that Spurrier and Snyder make every wrong decision available to them. They've taken a franchise that belongs in the pantheon of professional football and made them look like the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

The Democrats are up to thier nutty tricks again. Because the field is so cluttered and the calender is so compressed, three candidates are employing a strategy that forgoes New Hampshire and Iowa and focuses on primaries on February 3 in Arizona, Oklahoma, South Carolina and maybe a couple of other places. They seem to think that this cycle is somehow outside of history. No candidate has ever been successful by employing this not-so-new-ask-Al-Gore-circa-1988 strategy.

As for Draper's poem quandry, my best advice to you is to either become an 11 year old cripple with a heartsong of gold, or get in your time machine, go back to the 1880s and speak with someone who actually gives a fuck about poetry.

Peace and Love,
Tony