Ummmm...no.

Good news for TV sci-fi fans

Galactica returns this summer

The Sci-Fi channel has picked up the series for another 20 episodes. This is pretty much the only television show that I follow on a regular basis (by that I mean I Tivo every episode and actually make a point to sit down and watch it). There's slim pickin's on TV but this show is a nice exception.

News Item...

God looks to screw up my golf game

Can't happen here department

Patriot Act in action

Innocent McGill graduate imprisoned, tortured in Syria.

Canadian official: "accidents will happen".

AARP: Concerned senior citizens or left-wing, homosexual, anti-troop lunatic fringe?

You Decide




The Slimeboats for Truth are at it again. Who were the numbskulls who paid attention to them last time?

They don't get it

America Needs a Voice Abroad

"When President Bush visited Canada shortly after his reelection, thousands protested on the streets of Ottawa. In mocking reference to the fate of Saddam Hussein a year earlier, a statue-sized effigy of the president was hoisted to a rostrum above the crowd and then pulled down to loud cheers. That such things should occur in the capital of a friendly neighbor, echoing similar demonstration in capitals around the world, reveals how deep-seated anti-Americanism has come to be.

Obviously the United States will not and should not shape its policies to suit the preferences of other nations and peoples. But it can and should explain those policies directly and openly in ways calculated to promote better and more widespread appreciation of why we do what we do. "

Unfortunately the policies speak for themselves. Having an agency try to sugarcoat them won't make a difference to people in countries where they don't get all their information from Fox News.

Kan. Official Demands Abortion Records

Bets on how long it will take before the records are 'leaked' to the Press?

So much for my maiden voyage

The town zoning meeting was cancelled due to the incoming snow storm. They've rescheduled it for when I'll be out of the country.

Can you say conspiracy? I can.

Yup

Local News

Thursday will be my maiden voyage into the world of local politics. There has been a new development proposed in my town and there has been what appears to be a backlash against it. The normal town council meeting has been moved from its usual venue to a larger auditorium in anticipation of the crowds that will be there. I haven't really formed an opinion on which side is right, although I think my gut reaction is to come down on the side of the homeowners in the area and not the local developer (who just happens to also be on the town council).

I expect to go there with an open mind at least.

Wal-Mart Loves Unions (In China)

I guess it just depends on where you live

"Up to now America's largest employer has opposed every effort of its employees to form a union. Wal-Mart doesn't recognize unions; it doesn't even recognize "employees." The proper Wal-Mart name for its workers is "associates," a term that connotes higher status and collegiality and that actually means lower pay and workplace autocracy. For the privilege of associating themselves with Wal-Mart, its employees are paid so little that many can't afford the health insurance the company generously allows them to buy. One study of health care in Las Vegas revealed that a plurality of that city's employed Medicaid recipients worked at Wal-Mart."

Move to China, you can join a union.

ISO: Working-Class Democrats

Interesting article on Democrat challenges

"Democrats win when they deliver prosperity and security for working Americans, and in today's capitalism, those have become increasingly unattainable goals. Which is why, as they only now gear up their think tanks, Democrats need to promote alternatives to the kind of shareholder-driven capitalism into which our system has descended, to the detriment of millions of underpaid, insecure workers. They need to side with Main Street over Wall Street. Like the conservatives 40 years ago, the Democrats need to offend their own elites to build an America that reflects their best values, and in which working people can and do count on them for support."

About Those 'Greedy' Seniors

More Social Security Nonsense

"Consider that for about 20 percent of retirees, every penny of their income comes from Social Security. Social Security provides half or more of the income of nearly two-thirds of the elderly..."

"According to AARP, in the year 2000, only 29 percent of seniors received income from private pensions; an additional 14 percent from government employee pensions... "

"Ah, but what about that rich golfer? I don't mean to pick on him, but the critics of entitlement programs always use folks like him to justify cuts. As it happens, an administration that says it's worried that the elderly will place too heavy a burden on the young has gone out of its way to transfer yet more money to our seniors -- as long as the seniors in question are really well-off."

"Consider President Bush's cut in the tax on dividends. When he pushed that reduction (a slightly scaled-down version eventually became law), he bragged about its impact on the elderly. "We are helping seniors who rely on dividends," he declared."

"But that's a pretty narrow slice of seniors. "The majority of elderly have fairly modest incomes and would receive little or nothing from this tax proposal," according to a 2003 report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. As for helping seniors, "nearly 43 percent of the benefits of the dividend exemption . . . would flow to the 2.5 percent of elderly people with incomes exceeding $200,000. More than three-quarters of the benefits that would go to the elderly from this tax cut would flow to the 19 percent of elderly with incomes above $75,000."

"In other words, this administration's tax policies favor the Palm Springs golfer over the Cleveland widow. And that doesn't even take into account the administration's obsession with repealing all inheritance taxes. To help that widow and her grandchildren would it really be too much to ask that estates of more than, say, $8 million or $10 million, pay at least some inheritance levies?"

Despair

Can you see it? Their faces have been hidden to protect their friends and family from public humiliation. But you can see the anguish. It's palpable. Last night they were brothers in pain, as card after card, flop after flop hit them, teased them, then ultimately destroyed them. Eventually they were sent packing, each having contributed a princely sum to those who remained, allowing us to divide the spoils amongst ourselves-the tight players along with JD, who is fueled by the souls of the damned and cannot be stopped.

For one there may be no hope. As each 40:1 possibility misses him, the cries of, "If only a *insert card here* had come I would have *screwed/fucked/raped* you" becomes more strident and hysterical. Each time he raises his voice to curse the fates that drop a king on the river destroying his hand and bankroll piece by piece, he forgets the crap he's played which has hit for him. It becomes ancient history, replaced by a long litany of pain and frustration. Only time can heal these wounds - time and next month's paycheck.

For the other there is hope and it is within his grasp to change his lowly lot. He has only to give himself over to a higher power, renounce the bitterness and anger that dwells in his heart and beg forgiveness, plead that his miserable life might be changed so that he can play well again, see an end to the endless river cards that crush him under their weight, cease the futility and bounce back from the abyss. He's waiting for you, just invite him into your life, ask forgiveness, fall on your knees and let him into your heart. Only he can save you.

That'll never happen department

Repeal tax cuts for millionaires? Naw

"HERE'S A MODEST tax proposal for President Bush: Cancel two tax-cut provisions that haven't yet taken effect. These tax cuts weren't part of Mr. Bush's original tax proposal but were inserted into his 2001 tax package. They begin to phase in next year unless Congress acts. And 97 percent of the cuts will go to the 4 percent of U.S. households with incomes greater than $200,000; more than half to the 0.2 percent of households with annual incomes of more than $1 million. During the first 10 years they are fully in effect, they will reduce government tax revenue by close to $200 billion, including interest, and possibly much more if, as the administration has promised, there are adjustments to the alternative minimum tax (which would otherwise recapture some of taxpayers' savings from these breaks)."

See? Bush isn't the only one with this problem

Troublemakers are popping up all over:

"Terror mastermind Osama bin Laden promised a "thorough review" of al-Qaeda's clearance procedures today after reports emerged that an alleged male escort had successfully infiltrated the inner circle of the terror network.

Appearing on the Arabic-language television network Al-Jazeera, a red-faced Mr. bin Laden acknowledged that the high-ranking terrorist known to his al-Qaeda comrades as Fawzi Khalid Al-Mutairi was actually Jeff Guckert, reportedly a former male escort with no terrorist background whatsoever.

According to sources within the terror network, Mr. Guckert distinguished himself in high-level al-Qaeda meetings by lobbing softball questions Mr. bin Laden's way, such as, "Don't you think it's only a matter of time before we destroy the American infidels?" and "Isn't it ironic that they call us evildoers when they are really the evil ones, and not us?"

In his appearance on al-Jazeera, Mr. bin Laden apologized for the lapse in proper security procedures that enabled Mr. Guckert to receive full al-Qaeda credentials, assuring his followers, "This is a case of one bad apple taking advantage of the system."

But around the world, aspiring terrorists who have waited for months or even years to be issued al-Qaeda credentials were not so quick to accept Mr. bin Laden's televised apology.

"I've been trying to get clearance from al-Qaeda for three years," said Ahmad Al-Foudari, 34, a disgruntled terrorist from Kuwait. "Instead of going to terrorist training camp, maybe I should've just been a ho."

Elsewhere, in response to secretly recorded conversations in which he advocated tolerance towards homosexuals, President Bush said today, "I must've been high when I said that."

Source: The Borowitz Report

Multi Medium: Strange Agenda

Great post

A brief blog article on the whole Gannon reporter thing.

"So, as Eschaton is besieged with right-wing trolls accusing us intolerant, homophobic liberals of being on a gay witch hunt, I and others were touched and surprised by this sudden outpouring of solicititude for the gay cause. NTodd even went so far as to suggest that this wave of right-wing pro-gay feeling might make this the perfect time to push for blanket legalization of gay marriage."

"I think this is a fine idea. After all, if gays are worthy of preferential treatment with regard to White House/presidential access, then surely they are worthy of at least equal treatment with regard to the right to marry?"

See? It's not all bad news

Harmony Strikes a Chord With Muslims, Jews in Marseille

"All sides in Marseille, politicians and clerics alike, have learned to engage one another to find ways to deal with potential breeding grounds for crime and despair. And they share a willingness to bend or ignore some of the rules of French society in order to keep the peace."

Go figure department

Army Having Difficulty Meeting Goals In Recruiting

"Driving the manpower crunch is the Army's goal of boosting the number of combat brigades needed to rotate into Iraq and handle other global contingencies. Yet Army officials see worrisome signs that young American men and women -- and their parents -- are growing wary of military service, largely because of the Iraq conflict."

That's what happens when you choose to fight a war as opposed to having to fight one.

Jesus is coming, everybody look busy!

So KK was reading Doyle Brunson's poker book and in it was the story of Doyle's battle with cancer and how he and his family used prayer to cure him. Apparently this also worked for his wife. This was posited as possible proof not only of God's existence but of his active participation in the lives' of people.

Of course, I have to ask:

a) Why not just avoid giving them cancer in the first place?

b) What's the deal with that Tsunami then?

You can't have it both ways. If He gets credit for removing the Brunson family tumors, then He has some 'splainin' to do for the whole Aceh thing. Whenever something good happens, everyone knows all about Him; He's kind and good and just. When 170,000 die, all of a sudden, He's moving in mysterious ways, we cannot fathom Him, it's part of a "plan". Perhaps He's bi-polar?

What am I missing?

Apparently the Daytona 500 is the "Superbowl of racing". For the life of me I cannot understand the popularity of NASCAR, especially on television. I could see it being okay in person since you can watch the whole track unlike F1 where you only see a small fraction of what is going on. But really, hours of left turns?

For cool televised racing, check out the World Rally Championship on Speed.

Wal-Mart settlement under fire

Connecticut Business - The Hartford Courant

Nice deal. The Labor Department fines them a measly $135,000 and, get this - agrees to give Wal-Mart 15-day advance notice before any further audits as well as a 10-day grace period to correct any violations.

Just like on Cops, where they give the purse-snatcher a three block head start, right?

How liberal is CBS really ?

Evil Monolithic Liberal Conspiracy Revealed

Read the shocking, lurid details...if you dare.

Great idea department

It Takes a Thief

The Discovery Channel's newest series features videoing professional thieves breaking into people's houses which gives owners ideas about how to burglar-proof their homes and would-be thieves great ideas in how to circumvent homeowner's ideas.

Look for it this Fall alongside "Defusing Improvised Explosive Devices".

Good for the goose....

In his interview on WFAN NHLPA chief Bob Goodenow was asked pointedly about the players in Europe who were put out of their jobs by the high priced locked out NHL talent that went over to play while the league was embroiled in collective bargaining disputes. Goodenow said that hockey is competitive and that if his players couldn't play in the NHL they have a right to seek employment elsewhere, even if it meant European players went jobless.

It'll be interesting if he takes the same attitude if the NHL looks to use replacement players on the eve of next season if there is no CBA agreement. I guess it'll be okay for the replacement players since they have the same right to play.

An actual hockey game

Hockey Night in Providence

On the bright side of the NHL lockout and season termination I do have a few AHL teams in my area and last night headed to Providence to watch the Bruins take on Albany. It was a pretty good game, the Bruins outshot the River Rats by a huge margin but still lost 4-1, which keeps my curse of Boston affiliated hockey teams intact.

Fun with audio

Da bomb yo

Best enjoyed with the office door closed. R-rated lyrics but impeccable choreography. Enjoy!

Constantine

Official Site

My brother collected the comic series on which this was based and if they're anywhere near faithful to it the movie should be pretty good. I haven't seen a film in theatres in ages. I might make an exception for this.

NHLPA Executive Director Bob Goodenow on the spot

Conversation with the Goodenow & Chris Russo in New York


Great interview. Mad Dog asks some very pointed questions. No fist fights but I think that's because they were in different countries. Check out the link for February 17th. You'll need Realplayer.

Husky Insurance program extended in CT

Bill Would Bolster Insurance Program

I don't want to say it was my letter to the editor of the New London Day that turned the tide but, let's face it, that's exactly what happened.

The proposal would help cuts targeted for adults on HUSKY, the state's Medicaid program for low-income children and many of their parents. Those in line to be dropped earn 100 percent to 150 percent of the federal poverty level, or between $18,850 and $28,275 for a family of four.

"...it's not my job to do intelligent work."

Rumsfeld in Senate hearings.

You got that right.

WAR! What is is good for?

Recruiting Terrorists it would appear.

This whole Michael Ross thing

If you don't live in Connecticut you'll have no idea who he is and it's best you don't. The long and the short of it is he's a confessed and convicted multiple-murderer. Now in other states the story would have ended there but Connecticut has a death penalty which is rarely enforced (the last one was 45 years ago). Rather than letting him rot in jail the rest of his natural life he was given the death penalty. So months later we're still hearing appeals, the victim's families have to hear about it over and over again, proponents and opponents of the death penalty are lining up-the whole thing has turned into a zoo. Now the case is costing untold millions in legal fees and state resources as they argue back and forth. Anyone who thinks it's cheaper to execute hasn't done the math. If they'd dumped him in jail right at the end of trial there would at least have been some form of closure for the families, rather than this drawn out agony.

For the record, I'm wearing pants

Expos find a new home

Distinguished Senators: Bah, Humbug

Found a blog about the Washington Nationals, formerly the Expos. Nice to see there are a fair amount of blogs about them. Hopefully they'll get more recognition and fanfare than they received in Montreal. Guess that's two things I should have a R.I.P. for.

NHL Cancelled

Well there it is. Just heard the press conference. Pathetic. At least golf season is around the corner.
 

Okay, does anyone else see a problem?

Bush Barnstorms for Social Security Fix

I've included a link to the article so you can read it yourself. I don't want to leave the impression that I'm selecting bits and pieces to make a point while stripping things of context.

This is what I find interesting, from the article

"President Bush is barnstorming the country, trying to convince the public that Social Security needs an urgent overhaul and offering a solution even the White House acknowledges won't fix the retirement system's future financial problems."

So right there, they know that what they're proposing won't fix the issue. We've also heard that the system as it stands will go on until 2042. We know that the US is embroiled in two conflicts overseas and that this is the first president in history to lower taxes while engaged in a war (let alone two).

Now then, there's this:

"On the eve of his trip, the Democratic National Committee called on the president to release the details of his Social Security proposal."

Seems reasonable, they'd like some details on what is being proposed. The answer is interesting:

"But the White House has said the aim now is to sell Americans on the idea there is a problem, in hopes that they will, in turn, put pressure on their representatives in Washington to enact the president's plan. Bush aides say the time for the legislative nitty-gritty of writing bills and negotiating with lawmakers will come after this intense public relations phase."

So as I understand it, the White House wants Americans to put pressure on their reps to support a plan that has not been outlined and has no details. And the 'nitty-gritty' issues are the actual details of the plan that we don't know about and Bush doesn't know about. Well, seeing as he's built our trust with the whole Iraq/WMD thing, I see no reason to look too critically at all this. Full steam ahead!

Poor Ricky (literally)

Arbitrator ruling upheld in Williams case

You know, I never could figure out why people were so pissed at Ricky Williams for wanting to retire when he did. I mean, he is (or should have been) a millionaire, he's in the prime of his life, still healthy not having gone through ten or fifteen years of the rigors of the NFL. Who could blame him for not wanting to get his knees and hips shredded, replaced and arthritic before he was fifty?

On the other hand, I think it is perfectly right that he have to pay back the money the Dolphins paid him to be their running back for the length of their contract. That should be common sense.

The joys of Connecticut in February

When the temperature hits 55 you can get out and hit a few balls around the course. I wish I could say that was my tee shot there on the green but alas, at 208 yards I fell short and left and had to hit a wedge. I two putted from where you see the ball. Bogey. Story of my life. Well, it was nice to get out there and shake the cobwebs off anyway. Can't wait for summer.
 

Severe flu lands Jackson in hospital

There's a joke here somewhere but I can't quite pinpoint it.

I have no real interest but figure since he is in the news and all the 'big' sites have stories about him, I might get a few extra hits by having his name here.

NHL Lockout now over $12 million?

ESPN.com - NHL - Burnside: Too close to call

So that's what the NHL & NHLPA are fighting over? The NHLPA is now saying they will accept a hard cap but they want it at $52 million and the NHL wants it at $40 million. Are they trying purposely to piss off what little fanbase they have left in the US?

Social Security Plan explained...

For those of you who missed it, here is the President during one of those 'town hall' meetings where he gets up in front of a group of hand picked Republicans and fields softball questions. This is his response to a question about Social Security. Enjoy!

"Because the -- all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculate, for example, is on the table; whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those -- changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be -- or closer delivered to what has been promised."

"Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a series of things that cause the -- like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate -- the benefits will rise based upon inflation, as opposed to wage increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those -- if that growth is affected, it will help on the red."

I don't know about you but I'm sold.

Monday night poker

Came away in the black this week. I actually tracked the hands I played that were of some significance (ie; saw until the river) and won four and lost four. I'm guessing this is the law of averages playing out. Fortunately the hands where I won were bigger pots than the ones I played where I lost. I had been well up but a few bad hands took me down until the kindness of T.B. helped me out. By dealing me out while I was in the process of washing my hands (in the interest of public health & the sanctity of the cards) he unwittingly brought the wrath of the poker gods down upon him. That and the wrath of a small plastic Spongebob character to whom he refused to apologize but did manage to hold conversations with. In the end ace beats queen, good beats evil, all is well with the world and I make a mean L.I.T. I should have a black belt for those things.

Fame & Fortune

Hot on the heels of my feature golf spread in this month's newspaper, it looks like I'll be having a letter to the editor published in The New London Day's letter to the editor section under Governor's Budget Not Really Very Mom-like. I only hope my fan club can keep up with the requests for genuine autographed photos, all of which are lovingly stamped with a facsimile of a photocopy of a imprint of my real live signature. 

What can I say...

Save Toby

Sheer genius, in a disgusting mercenary kinda way.

I must be a genius

Iraq Winners Allied With Iran Are the Opposite of U.S. Vision

A few months before the US invasion of Iraq I had a conversation with someone in which I argued that given the religious tendencies of the majority of the Iraqi population, any truly democratic government would find itself with closer ties to their Shiite neighbors in Iran.

Did Bush and Co. not consult an atlas before they sent the troops in? Maybe taken a little poll to see who might be elected in the event elections were held? They can't be happy with a true democracy there since it would tend to be anti-Israeli and anti-US and theocratic in nature.

It will be interesting to see how things proceed from here. Since governments that submit to the overwhelming will of their populations and refuse to back US foreign policy (Turkey, France, Germany, Spain-after they pulled their troops out, you know them as 'old' Europe) are looked upon with contempt. It will be difficult to get a pro-US government in a country where most want them out. Either way, the US will be left with an unfriendly government in Iraq, but one they can no longer claim as illegitimate. What happens when the Shiite government asks US troops to leave?

I know Bush doesn't like to read but you'd think he would have picked up a Clancy audiobook at some point in his life. Clancy writes about this very event occurring in one of his novels. I think he must be the next Nostradamus.

Strategy Game of the Year: Dawn of War

As it should be. This games rocks. I haven't had time to play anything else after it came out. It should be on every gamer's computer.

Gamespy also has it as a Top 10 game for 2004

Desperation is the mother of invention

Four-year-old borrows car to rent video game

I wonder if it was Grand Theft Auto he was looking to get?

Having fun as the opposition

James Wolcott: From Some Lemons No Lemonade Can Be Made:

"On Meet the Press, Senator Charles Grassley was as grumpy as could be trying to defend Bush's Social Security overhaul, while Congressman Charlie Rangel batted its bogus numbers and claims around with buoyant sarcasm. I detected in Grassley the frustration of being forced to "sell" a program whose costs and contours were still completely amorphous--an expanding blob. That frustration expressed itself in a testy defensiveness that molded a frown to his face. On another program (Wolf Blitzer's?), Senator Pat Roberts, never a laughing cavalier, was a pissy sour pickle on the subject of Iran, while Jay Rockefeller sounded like a model of modulated enlightment. And on Face the Nation, Rick Santorum, an empty suit that will flaps with each movement of lips, sputtered and floundered on the SS issue, while Dick Durbin seemed to be enjoying himself a heap.

I wonder if Dems are learning the wisdom imparted by Bull Moose, that there's mischievous and useful fun to be had in being the opposition party, particularly when the party in power is as flatulent with hubris and corruption as the fiefdom of Tom DeLay. Dems should resist the temptation to be statesmenlike and bail out Bush should he stumble, the way they shamefully rescued Reagan in his second term. Bipartisanship has gotten Democrats nowhere for four years, has earned them nothing more than a fine spittle of contempt falling like a constant drizzle. They should let a smile be their umbrella as they enjoy the spectacle of House and Senate Republicans promoting Social Security privatization as if they'd been ordered by their commander in chief to suck lemons."

Interesting NY Times Editorial

Bush's Class-War Budget

Kinda makes you sick if you think too long about it. Four more years indeed.

NHL, union meet with federal mediators in D.C.

NHL, union meet with federal mediators in D.C.

They're meeting but it doesn't look like anything is coming of it. Good lord, does this mean I'll have to try to follow baseball this year?

Phil closes the deal

Mickelson doubles up at Pebble Beach

Mike Weir at least made it interesting for a while and it was nice to see a Canadian and a lefty finish in second.

Lists

Okay, it seems like a standard thing that people do when they're starting out making one of these blog things is to make a list. Lists are fun, people like reading them, they're easy and quick to go through and there aren't usually too many words, which is always a bonus. So here's a list of stuff I'm either reading or have read in the recent past. I'm sure if you're very quiet and behave, I'll do some sort of movie list too.

As some of you may or may not know, I'll become a US citizen in the near future and so have become more interested in the subject of politics. Although I've always held some interest in it and tried to keep up on current events, becoming franchised for the first time in my life has led to a certain zeal for information concerning the political arena. I'm sure it will cool as the weather gets better and I can actually leave the house, but in the meantime I've been sitting back and reading Party of the People: A History of the Democrats. There is a companion book written and published at the same time concerning the GOP. I may get around to it at some point.

Prior to that I picked up a copy of Dan Harrington's Harrington on Hold'em. An excellent book detailing no limit Texas Hold'em strategy. He isn't too heavy with the numbers and keep his writing clear and concise, something Sklansky doesn't always do.

I also finished up a very timely book in view of the last election results What's the Matter with Kansas? In it the author's premise (in a nutshell) is that people will vote against their own economic interest when they've been whipped into a frenzy about emotionally charged, but in many cases frivolous issues. A very interesting read.

The last book I've read of note was Five Points. In short, if you saw the film Gangs of New York you were watching a modified version of what life in New York City was like just prior to and during the Civil War. The book draws upon period documents and historical writings to paint a picture of how life was really like at that time. If you liked the movie you may enjoy the book. It is a historical piece so if fiction is more your cup of tea, you may want to give it a miss.

So since this was supposed to be a list and up to this point there has been no list here it is:

1. Party of the People
2. Harrington on Hold'em
3. What's the Matter with Kansas
4. Five Points

Go Phil!

Phil Mickelson has a seven stoke lead going into the final round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. And no, I'm not watching golf just because there's no hockey. I watch to be amazed at how easy they make the most difficult shot look. He won last weekend's tournament, the first he'd entered this season, by an impressive margin as well. Must be those Callaways in his bag. I knew he'd eventually see things my way and pick up a set.

Vijay, another golfer whom I admire, failed to make the cut. He's the fourth defending champ at the tournament who's failed to make the cut and ends his streak at 28 cuts made. He'll have to console himself with the $10 million he made last year.

For the other guy who cares...

It looks like this weekend will finally make official what anyone who has been following the ongoing trials and tribulations of the NHL (No Hockey League) knew months ago; there will be no professional hockey played in North America this season. This would be far worse news for me if Comcast had gotten off their asses and made the Centre Ice package available in my area. As it was I was doomed to watching the Bruins and Rangers play on their own private networks along with every game the Red Wings played on their own private network (you know it by its other name; ESPN) so it's not as bad as it could be.

It is not a strike. It is a lockout, meaning that the owners have taken the initiative in the absence of a collective bargaining agreement and chosen to close the league's doors. It's hard to feel much sympathy for either side in this instance of millionaire vs. millionaire. The owners want ''cost certainty' (salary cap), the players want the same deal that baseball players have (enormous salaries). Of course the difference between baseball and hockey is that, in the US at least, people actually watch baseball which leads to revenues generated from television ratings which is something hockey does not have. In fact, as embarrassing as it seems the replacement programs on ESPN2 (poker, reruns, WNBA) are getting better ratings than their NHL fare did. With the end of the NFL's season and a complete lack of interest in the NBA, it looks like I'll just have to look forward to the spring when I can break out the clubs.

Welcome

On this page you'll find things that I've discovered online that I've found amusing or interesting or infuriating, sometimes all of these things at once. I'll list them off at no cost to you the reader! As I'm new to this I imagine things will change as I discover how everything works and ideas pop into my head. In the meantime, enjoy the stunning html code I've written from scratch.