I'll Just Kill Myself If Portugal Doesn't Win
From BadJocks.com:


Check out this irate Brazilian soccer fan throwing live chickens onto the field to protest his team's lousy performance.

Marc

Prescription Drugs Or A Cruise To Alaska?
Why not both, you old leetches? After all, your grandchildren are paying the bill.

As Congress and our cowardly Commander-in-Chief prepare to dole out some more of our tax dollars to the nation's wealthiest citizens in the form of a presciption drug benefit, take time to read this report by the Cato Institute.

Here are a few disheartening facts (remember these when you file your tax return):

Spending on the elderly made up 35% of the federal budget in 2000. That figure will rise to 43% in 2010.

70-year-olds now consume more than 30-year-olds.

56% of the full income of the elderly comes from transfer payments from the young (you).

Median net worth of heads of household aged 65-74: $176,300. Aged 35 and under: about $15,000.

Back to work, slackers! Granny needs a new Town Car!

Marc

Fabulous!
Red - it's the new teal! Tony, if you're the clothes Queer, I guess I'm the furniture Queer - but I'll rate the new unis as well. All in all, they are pretty decent. What does this mean for the Orndoff Principle?

Raptors: 7.0
Representin' Canada is good, but it's still technically an alternate jersey, so the purple will rear its ugly head. Plus, they're named after dinosaurs.
Cavaliers: 8.5
Dope logo! Their unis have been a disaster in the post-Mark Price era, but these are pretty sharp. I like the 'wine' better as an accent color than as a main color.
Rockets: 9.5
Outstanding! Very space-age in a Jetsons kind of way. From the side, the stripes form chevrons pointing towards each other.
Magic: 6.0
Generic. They look like Kentucky or Memphis. On the plus side, they aren't offensive - just boring. I am a uniform purist in football and baseball, but in hoops I want a little zazz.
Nuggets: 7.5
Very nice color scheme, but they kept the old font. A total makeover would have been better - or just wear the rainbow throwbacks!
Suns: 9.0
I've always liked the gray stripe down the side, and it looks great with orange. If I were going to wear one of these jerseys, this would be it. Check out the snazzy website of the design firm that did the Suns' new uniforms, as well as most of the other Phoenix teams.

Hockey Preview
This is unfortunate: the new Dallas Stars alternate jersey. It's the stars of the constellation Taurus arranged over a bull's head. Barf.

Chris Creamer reports the NHL is switching to dark jerseys at home so the home teams can show off these abominations to their loyal fans.

Marc

Queer Eye for the Sports Guy
For those of you without cable, this may come as a bit of news, but the NBA is back in full swing. And while some people are tuning in to watch the games, the only contact I've had yet with the NBA has been on Sportscenter. Through my chance encounters I've noticed a number of teams that have updated or in some way changed their uniforms. Most of these changes I actually like, which is unusual. Below are the changes that I am aware of. There may be more that I'm not aware of, and if so, please let me know.

Note that both Houston and Toronto have embraced red as a new primary color. This is the opposite of a trend in the NFL, which has seen teams wear a lot of very dark, very formal blue. The Rockets uniforms, changed primarily because of the increasing popularity of Yao Ming, were designed by the same person that won an Oscar for costume design on Bram Stoker's Dracula. They are suppossed to highlight the upward motion that is unique to basketball. The Raptors, on the other hand, have changed in order to embrace the fact that they are the only team in Canada. This comes at a time when the Blue Jays seem to be eschewing their Candaian roots and are rumored to be forgoing any hint of the maple leaf on next years uniforms or logos. Whatever the reason, I'm just glad they got rid of those dreadful two-toned purple and black numbers.

Also note that the Magic have done away with any pinstripes or stars. They will wear blue on the road with the word "Orlando" above the numbers. This is an effort to show their loyalty to their town, so my guess is they're angling for a new arena. The Nuggets made a similar move on their road jersey. It's also worth noting that Toronto has put "Raptors" on their road jersey, in the hopes that they will be embraced by the whole of Canada. Cleveland and Houston kept their city's name on their road jerseys.

The Cavs (who seem to be trying to get away form this abbreviation) and the Nuggets see uniform changes as a result of highly touted rookies joining the team, Labron James and Carmello Anthony respectivly. The Cavs have gone to a wine and gold and added a C-sword logo, which I think is pretty snappy. Also, although it's hard to tell here, the Nuggets have gone the way of the old San Diego Chargers and are embracing the powder blue and yellow. Again, another change I like.

I've included the following pics so that you could see the new uniforms compared to the old. Also, note the Phoenix Suns' new alternate uniforms, which are orange and silver with the letters "PHX" above the number.

A couple of the teams listed above changed their logo as well, including the Raptors going to a claw for their secondary logo and the Cavaliers new C-sword, which is reflected in the new uniform. However, the Rockets really improved their whole look by changing their logo to this snappy little number.

Well, that's all the logo talk for now, tommorrow: Hockey

Piece & Love,
Tony

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