Beatdown Artist

Nuclear bazaar in Tehran

2006-08-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

If anyone doubts the reasons for the U.S. pressuring Iran to stop uranium enrichment, please allow yourself to cogitate the future for a moment. Once Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's leader, has the political leverage of nukes, he will use it as a trump to bully others in the Middle East. But more heinously prevelent is the eventual selling of these nukes to proxy terrorist groups. Understand, Iran has a weak army, the same is true for Syria. They would be trampled in short order by any of the advanced western armies, including Israel. Hezbollah is Iran's most advanced army in it's war against Israel setting up shop in another weak Arab country (an oxymoron), Lebanon. Once Iran supplies the terrorists with nukes, a skirmish like the one Israel recently had with Hezbollah could have a devastating outcome. Iran will claim it's hands clean and the leftists and liberals of the world will line up to defend the villians, as usual.

The Green Hornet Returns

2006-06-02T00:55:00.000-07:00

If there are people in America I am at more odds with among the social catacombs in the arena of ideas, then it is the modern day environmentalists. They are non-prorogressives in the truest sense. They are the scourge of California and prohibit the building of homes and businesses, exascerbate capital from the people and drive costs to do business to heighths that are nothing short of penalization. In the name of the spotted owl an entire sprawling potential neighborhood is scoffed, held up, battled, and finally squashed. It can devastate a construction contract, stifle a city council and bottle up progress in the name of unbridled ridiculousness.

Behind the veil of do-gooder for Mother Earth, these people are nothing more than anti-capitalists in green clothing. Lobbying the state and federal government for sanctions against the art of production and entreprenurial ambition, environmentalists wreak their havoc on society in the form of emotion-to-tears policy and crippling regulation.

Now let's move on to the green party's kingpin, Algore. Algore has a new movie being released called "An Inconvenient Truth". It shows every disaster that Mother Earth is concocting for us in the next milleneum. Ice caps melting, seashore recession and temperature trends are his evidence fait accompli. Mainstream media is having an incredible orgasm over all this. They love crisis anyway but a documentary from a Clintonista is more than they can contain. So the Oped pages are singing Algore's tune partly to cleave Hilllary's chances and partly to create a crisis-de-jour.

Just for kicks let's say we implement everything Algore and the greens propose. Would we be better off environmentally? That would be a definite no. Nine million Prius', Kyoto Protocols and tofurkey on Thanksgiving does the earth no better, or worse for that matter. The earth is an ever-changing body of energy that no human can control or harness. As an industrialized nation since the 1940s, America is blamed for every natural disaster from acid rain to hurricanes. As human beings we are arrogant to think we can control the cosmos. The only cosmsos we control are the ones with vodka and cranberry juice thank you very much.

Baseball brawling

2006-05-05T22:54:00.000-07:00

As far as pounding sand goes, if you don't like brawling in baseball you're welcome to do just that. Whether its the big Dominican Jose Mesa putting one between the blasdes of Omar Vizquel or perennial red-ass Jason Kendall charging the mound on John Lackey who has about 6 inches and 45 lbs. on him. Tell me you didn't love that one. Kendall and Lackey. Lackey threw inside and Kendall tried unsuccessfully to lean into the pitch. Lackey noticed and gave Kendall a second look and a few choice words before Kendall charged the mound. It was like someone had just slapped Kendall's Mom. Kendall blew his stack and attacked the mound empying the benches.

I was at a Reds game in the early eighties when Ray Knight and John Milner fo the Pirates got into it on third base. Also I recall vivivly Mario Soto throwing a one hitter against the Phillies and late into the game Ron Reed stuck one in his earpeice. Davey Concepcion lost his gourd on the field that day and Soto charged the mound with bat in hand. It was great. Although in poor taste I also enjoyed The Gerbil Don Zimmer getting suplexed by Pedro Martinez. Another classic is Robin Ventura charging the mound on Nolan Ryan who then used Ventura's dome as a speed bag.

But my favorite of all time baseball brawl was during a spring training agme in 1990 ish. Mets vee Blue Jays. Todd Stottlmyre driled Daryl Strawberry in teh buttocks and then glared at home plate as Strawberry first talked trash and then headed for the mound. He never reached Stattlemyre because 3rd baseman Kelly Gruber de-cleated him before he was more than halfway. It was a textbook form tackle and I always admired Gruber after.

Pump this

2006-04-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

Gas Prices
The most brilliant people I know are economists. Their field is a vast one. So when the topic of gas prices and its effect on the economy hits the news cycle, inevitably some news show will pair up, as a debate, an economist and a politician. One schooled on trend theory and the other schooled on trendy theories. Neil Cavuto had a discussion with Dick Durbin (D) Ill. the other day. Cavuto peppered Durbin with pointy jabs about the government's role in the price of a gallon of gas. Durbin's reply to each question referred exclusively to Lee Raymond's retirement package worth $400 million and the oil company's record profits. This is classic right/left-wing jousting on display. The right is amplifying the government's wasteful role while the left uses class warfare.

UPDATE: I just came across this gem from the master Mark Steyn.

Isn't the real question this: Why do so many citizens need professional tax preparation? These days, tiny towns without a gas station or general store nevertheless manage to support an H&R Block office. Why? because no reasonably well-informed citizen can understand-or even read- the tax code. So a minimum wage waitress with a part-time house cleaning business requires professional assistance to file her taxes. That's a disgrace to a free society.

Deicide Live April 5th

2006-04-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

Watching Deicide live in 2006 is more nostalgic since last seeing them perform in 1993. Glen Benton was his usual cranky self, playing in a less than enthusiastic manner. If it's just exhaustion it is to be excused since he is also singing for the opener Vital Remains, sporting full-body leather armor complete with a leather facemask. I caught him walking through the halls and grabbed this classic pose.

Immigration and the failure of our idiot politicians

2006-04-01T20:47:00.000-08:00

George Will's latest essay entitled "Guard the Borders-and face facts too" gives a four-point assignation to the role of 'control' at the top of the immigration issue.

But control belongs at the top of the agenda, for four reasons. First, control of borders is an essential attribute of sovereignty. Second, conditions along the border mock the rule of law. Third, large rallies by immigrants, many of them here illegally, protesting more stringent control of immigration reveal that many immigrants have alas, assimilated: They have acquired the entitlement mentality created by America's welfare state, asserting an entitlement to exemption from the laws of the society they invited themselves into. Fourth, giving Americans a sense that borders are controlled is a prerequisite for for calm consideration of what policy that control should serve.

The second point is most likely the one that abhors people the most. But abhorrence topped out during the large protests last week where school kids, prompted by activist, walked out of classes all across California. These walkouts spilled onto highways clogging up traffic for miles. Especially irksome was the Mexican flag being flown above or sometimes in place of Old Glory.

But personally, I would be protsting too if my current livlihood and a potential family relocation were being bandied about in Congress. Lawlessness from vigilantes inside and needfully across the border need to be dealt with with force. Once the federales spot a troupe of border-jumpers in the act of crossing , the coyotes dump their cargo like Han Solo when Imperial fighters arrive. THe human cargo left behind goes to a holding center and is then deported. The coyote banditos keep every cent of the $1500 per head they charge for services rendered or not. The financial magnitude of the injustices of this nature foment organized crime and territorial beatings.

So who can we blame for all this ribald Mexican nationalism; protesting our country's potential laws? The Mexicans? It's simply an issue of incentives for them. Not only with the obvious financial upheaval, but more like doing it legally takes rigamarole, red-tape and eleven years. To do it illegally costs fifteen hungy and an all nighter running with everything you own in a backpack across a busy highway or two. Two days later you'll be helping lay carpet, carrying 2x4s and getting paid cash money, every day. It's a beautiful thing really. No, you'd be unwise to blame the Mexicans. They are of quality stock and a familial people.

Blame your governments. State, Federal and local. Where the hell are they during all of this? (Insert humor) As usual, they're asleep at the wheel snipping about leaked ex-CIA agents, investigating steroids in baseball and chasing that ultra-priority, Scooter Libby, that's where. American politics is spiraling deep into the helix where every senator wants to be a media superstar, and no one wants to make laws to serve and protect the greatest country that history has ever known. Our melancholy reality is where laws are passed with only emotion, via the "issue of the day". Campaign Finance Reform? McCain-Feingold? Why did we demand that they pass this law again? Or did we at all? This law strips freedom of speech for donating money to cause or candidate. These are the type of lynchpins we will have to deal with in short time. Erosional freedom means eventually there won't be any left.

To be frank, this is an issue with many different angles. It will take senatorial fortitude to hammer out something the people will accept. I'm really not expecting much from them. An issue like this will be so polygonal a Republican majority will become anything but, and Democrats will vote against, and negatively splay anything Republicans put forth. These are the situations where Democrats act incorrigibly at best. Just like the Terri Schivo event, immigration and border security is a difficult situation requiring someone to lead and make difficult and unpopular decisions. WHen a thatch of a problem arises, Democrats say nothing, offer nothing and kick their feet up and watch Republicans flounder and wrestle with potential solutions. Anything decided upon is blasted by them and the negative points shown on CNN every 38 seconds.

Mason's Napoleon Dance

2006-03-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

This boy is nutty, but he's got moves I think.

Unparallels on Immigration

2006-03-04T19:44:00.000-08:00

Europe has a problem. Muslims are becoming more and more a part of its' population and the numbers cannot be ignored with any sanity. Further west, northerly migrations of Mexicans have created a national issue that is polygonal and sure to shape future elections. But is America's problem as dire as Europe's? Let's take a global look at the parallels between American and European immigration challenges, first through a social prism and then geopolitically.

It appears that social engineering and a massive welfare system have stricken Europe with a problem that has been all too evident in it's arrival. That is, to astute historians and those learned in en masse ethnic migration and the effect on the nation being settled. Muslim migration numbers and birth rates have skyrocketed in Europe in the last fifteen years. It was an inevitability that they would demand political representation. The problem is the absence of assimilation into the heavily socialist Europen societies. Social structures in these countries more or less segregate Muslims to their own neighborhoods and, coupled with an astronomical unemployment rate (the highest is in France), created a recipe for unrest that is starting to unleash itself. Evidence is in the subway bombing in London, and up to a thousand cars torched in France last year. Not to mention the quasi-riots over cartoons in the Middle East. All perpetuated and carried out by Islamists.

America has its' own immigration problem, that coming from Mexico and Central America, not to mention the vast open border to the north. Our problems' complexities include the security risk of radical Muslims and Arabs with bad intentions entering our country through porous lapses in border security. Influxes of up to a million or more illegal immigrants inot California alone have overwhelmed a state which is, ironically, eager to assist these potential victims. Supposed do-gooders are gifted state money to create programs for illegal aliens creating strange civil rights arguments for people in our country illegally. This is as much a part of the problem as the massive numbers who enter illegally via the coyote el train. An already existing liberal state like California has no boundaries of giving. If money runs short, raising taxes is the first resource begged, creating even more animosity and activism against Mexican illegals.

In Britain, Tony Blair is faced with Islamic fanatics who will occasion to do what they do best; maim and destroy innocent people. Word on the street is that Islam is a religion of peace, but what we and the British have realized is that 9.5 out of 10 acts of terrorism are carried out by Islamic and Muslim fanatics. For Blair though the problem is of a larger and more frightening scale. Determining how to assimilate a people whose religion is at odds with peace and rule of law in a country whose Anglo population is decreasing and whose governement is run by a progressively inhibitive, i.e. liberal party, is a monumental, if not impossible task. WIthout a plan of assimilation, decrepit Olde Europe will continue to spiral into a nightmare of socialist creation. Frankly speaking, Europe's weakness and decline has encouraged AMerica to look elsewhere for a partner in global strategy. Hence President Bush and Condolleza's recent trip to India.

In America ther is an outcry for politicians to do something about border security and illegal immigration. All political solutions are caught in the thorns of this complex issue. President Bush has danced around the 'amnesty' word for over two years now. He has all but endorsed worker permits for those gainfully employed coupled with vouchers from each's respective employers. Background checks would also be a mandatory inclusion in any Bush plan. Frankly, this does not seem unreasonable. Dealing with border security is a whole different ballgame though and it appears to be gaining momentum with Republicans and Democrats, thanks in part to the popularity of the Minutemen's border crusade.

It is easier to strike contrasts rather than comparisons between American and European immigration issues. Think for a minute, would you rather be in Blair's shoes and have a boiling cauldron of Islamofascists in your midst? Or would you rather realize the influx of hard working Mexicanos with strong Catholic backgrounds and a penchant for productivity, as well as the potential conservative votes. America's immigration problems are manageable. Free markets and affordable education are assimilating Mexican immigrants into the American economy with imminentally positive results. Europeans will eventually have to deport their unassailable and unproductive Muslim problem back to the sand.

DePorting America: A Brass Tacks Explanation

2006-02-26T15:58:00.000-08:00

The deal to sell the American ports to the United Arab Emirates has wrought a puzzling change in Washington's political spinzone. President Bush has stated the deal should go through, reminding us that the British have ran American ports in the past and so Arabs running them shouldn't be any different. Democrats, smelling blood, have taken the route of strong national defense, decrying this as just another Bush blunder. Some Republicans up for '06 elections have also sensed the people's irked reception to the White House's insistence that the deal is kosher.

There are two things we can incur as near certainties. President Bush will stick to his original opinion, popular or not, and Democrats will always play politics even if it means an assault on logic from their past arguments. For example, their previous lamentations that America is losing its' respect in the world and that we should nuance everything is dashed against the rocks with this stance on this issue.

The argument for the deal delves into the rules and regulations of whom actually writes the rules of hiring and inspecting the cargo coming in. The U. A. E. has been our ally in capturing terrorists and has a vested economic interest in American commerce, in the growing world market. Some columnists have espoused a xenophobia, announcing an American bigotry as the reason for being anti-Arab-American-port-ownership. Frankly, that may have some validity.

The argument against the deal is easier to grasp. While at war with Arab nutjobs we should not be serving up potential gateways into our country to factions known to be sympathetic to terrorists. Period, end of story. President Bush claims, to coin a Jedi phrase, these U.A.E. Arabs aren't the droids we're looking for. I'm not so sure of that Obi Wan.

The bottom line is this, the White House and the State Department are trying to save face with one of the few Middle Eastern countries that we have good relations with. The American people are not hesitant, but eagerly agog,to give Arab Islamists the middle finger. Bush's arguments are not strong enough to overcome visuals of Islamic maniacs committing treachery across the world and on our TV screens every ngiht. This deal should die. In my opinion, the symbolic gesture of telling an Arab country to go pound sand (and they have plenty to pound) outweighs any face-saving political alignments.

2006-02-15T23:36:00.000-08:00

Me and Travis Ryan from Cattle Decapitation

The best front man in metal right now

2006-02-11T22:33:00.000-08:00

Travis Ryan is the lead singer for a band called Cattle Decapitation. They are on Metal Blade Records and about to release their third album. My point is, as far as metal singers go, they are best described as 'cookie cutter'. Long hair, sneering mug and a smugness that masquerades as 'badass'. T Ryan is the epitome of different, that is, on the stage. Besides spitting in the air and catching it in his pocket, mouth whatever, the guy is hilarious. Metal singers are pissed and between songs still speak in the gruff voice they sing with. TRyan just plainly states, with regular voice, "Okay this one's called "Reduced to Paste", "Chunk Blower" or "Human Jerky". The faces he makes are classic, truly, how stupid do guys look singing death metal lyrics anyway. TRyan goes hilariously overboard, contorting his face and body, almost mocking the status quo. I just saw Cattle Decapitation (Feb 08) open for Brujeria in Costa Mesa, CA and I think I smiled through the entire set watching this guy.

Is this a bad thing? I think not Governor.

2006-02-05T17:01:00.000-08:00

Perusing a liberal online rag like Newsweek is not commonly a pastime of mine, but in an interview with Va. governor Tim Kaine (D) I found this gem issued as an argument against the Bush administration and basically Republicans in general.

"The people who fill these (government) jobs aren't that enthusiastic about government. They think government is part of the problem, not the solution. They often come from industry or interest groups opposed to the very existence of the programs they're paid by taxpayer dollars to administer."

Well put governor. Not only have you quoted Ronald Reagan, but also highlighted a principle of conservatism. Governement is the problem. To trumpet this as a negative is a null and void means of debate when the group you're attempting to deride agrees with the bullet statement wielded.

A classic clip that I will immoralize with Blogspot

2006-02-02T08:53:00.000-08:00

IT's Phil

Media Bias

2005-12-16T16:52:00.000-08:00

I am truly amazed that people still don't think there is a media bias. As far as history is concerned the Iraqi vote is monumental to the future of the Middle East. Truly a proud day to be an American. But on ABC, NBC,CNN etc... the headline story is how John McCain forced GWB to sign an anti torture bill. What the hell does that mean to the future since we don't torture people anyway? Unbelievable. The day after, all the headlines were how Bush allowed the CIA to spy on Americans. Instead of, Bush allowed the CIA to spy on potential terrorists. I am fed up man. America has some of the worst politicians in the world, that is for certain. All the while our media slouches more and more toward treason. These people(media), coupled with lawyers, are bringing this country to it's knees.

This is pretty good. 24 second vid.

2005-12-03T20:07:00.000-08:00

Even Bob Hope knows what the hell is going wrong.

CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS: "What do you have to believe in order to keep alive your conviction that the Bush administration conspired to launch a lie-based

2005-11-17T07:22:00.000-08:00

And this from a liberal blog.

Euro elites are just a bunch of pointyheaded snobs

2005-11-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Mark Steyn throws his Euro colleagues at the U.K.'s Daily Telegraph under the bus . It's funny to me how Euros are often poignant with their criticisms about our government (and culture for that matter). These are the same capitulators that recently banned piggy banks as a symbol of financial savings. Why? Because it may offend Muslims! Anyway, here's a small piece from Steyn's article:

Is it really worth recalling? Mr Clinton's approval rating stayed above 55 because he was careful not to do anything, at least on the non-pants-dropping aspects of his presidency, of which the electorate might disapprove. The oral sex was pretty much the only position he took that wasn't focused-grouped by Dick Morris beforehand- and, come to think of it, it wouldn't surprise me if it was and that's why he went ahead with it. ("Our polling suggests it would make you seem attractively flawed and human to sucseptible soccer moms in swing states, Mr President.")

At any rate, above the waist, Mr Clinton governed as an "Eisenhower Republican"- ie, very non-confrontational. The president's distinguishing characteristics loomed paradoxically large over the era only because everything else he did was so small.

Mr. Bush, on the other hand, Wants to remake the Middle East, reform Social Security, legalise illegal immigrants, drill for oil in the Artic wilderness, etc. Whatever the merits of these positions, they are confrontational. Even many of his supporters balk at two or more of the items on that list.

Read the whole thing here.

2005-10-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

The mighty Suffocation

Good to have hockey back

2005-10-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

Early on the rule changes appear to be a huge success for the NHL. Smaller pads on the goalies and no red line have increased scoring and will eventually increase viewership. But the best of all is the tie-breaker shootout. If tied after regulation they still play the 5:00 OT but if tied after that, they have a shootout. Winner receives 2 pts and the loser gets 1 in the standings. last nights Anaheim-Nashville game ended in a shootout. After Federov-Selanne-Sykora missed and Sullivan and (insert Russian) missed Paul Kariya layed one into the back of the net over Giguere's left shoulder for an exciting win.

Other notes. I hate Ian LaPerriere. I've made no bones about it. But since leaving the LA Kings (not sure where) I have been searching for someone else to despise. Wednesday night I found my jerkoff......Sean Avery. After missing with a high-stick Avery baited and brought down Coyote Mike LeClerc. Both were sent to the box but Avery continued snarling and galring at LeClerc, mouthing obscenities. Look I don't mind a little bait but Avery showed what a loser he is. LeClerc is not a dirty player but he is tough and will get on other's nerves in the corners, but Avery went for the head early in the game and I thought it was uncalled for.

Columbus Blue-Jacket Jody Shelley is up to his old shenanigans. Against Calgary Friday he was flying all ove rthe place with the invisible face-rakes and the poke checks. Shelley does it cleanly, unlike Avery.

A bit of wisdom

2005-10-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

"Political correctness is a purposeful obstacle set by liberals to impede the truth. Its there to make sure liberals don't have to hear certain truths that they don't want to hear."

Reality Check

2005-10-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

This is a good assessment of where we would be if Bush hadn't snuffed out those rats who ran Iraq into the ground for 20 years. Reading this piece gives me a sense of calm at what could have been. While I'll admit the amateurish mistake of the Bush administration in focusing on WMDs as the weighted purpose for invading instead of for the outright atrocities and inhumanities the Iraqi people had to lve with every day. I really wish I could've gotten the chance to go one on one with Uday or Qusay in a steel cage match. They would not have walked away.

School band plays DJ Shadow

2005-09-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

This is sweet. Finally a teacher who recognizes that good music is not always from the ancient past.

Ozzfest. Devore, CA 8/20/05

2005-08-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

Basically most people were there to see Iron Maiden under the night sky with a cool light show and an inevitable Eddie appearance. They definitely delivered, although Bruce Dickinson witha short mop is not a s cool as when he had long hair and wore brown leatherings. But check this out, the Ozzfest, as a tour continues on but this was to be Iron Maiden's last show on the tour. Well, apparently there has been serious ego clashes behind the scene between Maiden and the Osbourne camp. Truly I have no idea thier beefs but they culminated Saturday night with some seriously poor behavior and unprofessionalism by none other than Sharon Osbourne. At least five different times during Iron Maiden's set, the power was cut off completely. The outages always came at critical points of the songs. For example, during the opening of "Hallowed be thy Name" Bruce Dickenson sings an eerie vison of being hauled off to the gallows. Right after the lead intro, where Bruce was to start singing, the power was cut off. Each time it was much like this, leaving the crowd to sing a-cappella. Also, there was a guy up front throwing eggs, that's right eggs, about three dozen of them. After gate security put us through everything except turn your head and cough, there is no way someone coul've gotten a couple dozen egg-bombs inside. At the end of their set Dickenson tongue lashed the Osbournes saying thar Maiden is not a side show of a reality show, but a real heavy metal band. He was steaming. Immediately after they ended, Sharon Osbourne appears onstage in what looks to be damage control. She said that they love Iron Maiden and they're a great band but Bruce Dickinson is a prick. Exact words. She was promptly booed off the stage amidst a desperate search for words. She definitely had more to say but was showered with curses and frantically ran offstage. She looked very pathetic and thanks to her about 40,000 people were brought into their squabble.

The picture was taken by a guy that I ran literally 8 rows to dive into the picture. Without my spontaneity and deft this would simply be a picture of cows grazing.

Ozzfest. Devore California 8/20/05

Update

2005-08-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

I e-mailed one of my favorite and most trusted authors Dinesh D'Souza last week. I asked if he was writing another book soon. Reply:

Yes I'm working on one called "The Cultural Left and It's Responsibility for 9/11" Out next year.
Dinesh D'Souza

2005-07-27T07:54:00.000-07:00

Peyton actually fell asleep like this. Hilarious.

2005-07-26T22:11:00.000-07:00

Peyton holding a flower

2005-07-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

Declaration of Independence signing

Beck Concert

2005-07-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to see Beck in concert but it wasn't enough of an urge to actually purchase tickets. So what do you know, I got some free ones. Not just free but ninth row free at the Pacific Ampitheatre on the Orange County Fairgrounds during the Orange County 2005 fair. It was a sold out show with quite an eclectic crowd. Abound was 80's pop culture including now fashionable t-shirts depicting bands and tv shows from that era and geeks and tards wearing short tight basketball shorts and headbands.

Beck as a performer is pretty amazing sans the 'rock star' allure. His backup band is equally talented, swithcing between instruments and having an obvious blast onstage. One band member served as the stage clown doing pop-lock breakdance moves and dressing in various Adidas jumpsuits and headbands. During "Where It's At" said clown started the song with a small ancient tape recorder on his shoulder that was then replacedwith a larger table-top radio, then with a huge jam-box on his shoulder. Then afterward a gigantic jam-box descended down from the ceiling during the the finale "E-Pro". Overall a funky and eclectic evening with a talented Beck Hansen.

UPDATE: Thanks to Guero Stuff for the link. Muy bueno.

New Video

2005-07-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

Just released today. This is what we've all been waiting for.

During the Lull

2005-07-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

What's funny is Democrats whining about a faux scandal about the President's Chief of Staff. Again, his CHIEF OF STAFF!! Unbelievable. In the last two years they've went after (not in order) Condoleeza Rice, John Ashcroft, Donald Rumsfeld, Karl Rove, John Bolton, Paul O'Neill, Trent Lott (successfully) et. al. Their obvious strategy is to keep members of the Bush cabinet in the press for an extended amount of time, in a negative light. This will surely bring name recognition polls to seriously low levels. For a party that lives on polling, this is effective. However, when said target is proven clear of all charges, it is the Dems who look foolish in claiming a temporary victory. They think they pay no price for being wrong because of name recognition polling. Karl Rove's name may be in the negative in the latest data but in truth he is widely known as a political genius, especially amongst Dems who think Bush is a moron. I will hold my tongue on the long-term assessments but the Democrats look desperate as usual.

An animated History of the U.S.A.

2005-07-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick but mildly intensive animated history of the US. It is educational and should be shown to youngsters.

This is rich

2005-07-04T14:07:00.000-07:00

Watch the whole thing. You'll like the ending methinks.

Google Maps

2005-07-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

This is a cool new feature from Google that asts as a Mapquest but with cooler options. Yes you get the same direstions but the maps themselves seem better formatted and as a bonus you can see a satellite view of your home or any other destination, if available.

Example 1; Maps : Home to work

Example 2; Satellite : Same

Oter points of interest: University of Michigan.

Brick by brick

2005-06-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

The Supreme Court ruled last week that it's legal for state governements to use eminent domain, i.e. taking private property from homeowners, only in the event that doing so benefits the greater community at large. This is an egregious affront to our U.S. Constitution. The 5th Ammendment reads "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." In the case before the court, Kelo vs City of New London (NH), the "just compensation" is where lawyers and lawmakers (is there a difference?) will stretch and transmogrify it's clear mention and make "just compensation" mean under market prices. So not only has a state governement been given the right to seize private property but also to squelch market prices. Too often when government (the public) meddles in private trade, the effect and countercurrence to free markets are given nary a look. It is not an accident that the land attempting to be seized is beachfront and of some of the most expensive in any coastal community. We may look back on this ruling as just another brick in the wall being built by activist judges against the American people's rights. Someone said, "A democracy is never taken over by force, it's toppled by the very laws that were there to protect it."

What the...?

2005-06-27T23:42:00.000-07:00

This is just plain weird as hell.

Karl Rove's words

2005-06-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

This is a speech delivered by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove that explains beautifully the difference between conservatives and liberals.

Let me now state a few words about the state of liberalism. Perhaps the place to begin is with this stinging indictment:
"Liberalism is at a greater risk now than at any time in recent American history. The risk is of political marginality, even irrelevance... [L]iberalism risks getting defined, as conservatism once was, entirely in negative terms."
These are not the words of William F. Buckley, Jr. or Sean Hannity; they are the words of Paul Starr, co-editor of The American Prospect, a leading liberal publication.
There is much merit in what Mr. Starr writes - though he and I fundamentally disagree as to why liberalism is edging toward irrelevance. I believe the reason can be seen when comparing conservatism with liberalism.
Conservatives believe in lower taxes; liberals believe in higher taxes. We want few regulations; they want more. Conservatives measure the effectiveness of government programs by results; liberals measure the effectiveness of government programs by inputs. We believe in curbing the size of government; they believe in expanding the size of government. Conservatives believe in making America a less litigious society; liberals believe in making America a more litigious society. We believe in accountability and parental choice in education; they don't. Conservatives believe in advancing what Pope John Paul II called a "culture of life"; liberals believe there is an absolute unlimited right to abortion.
But perhaps the most important difference between conservatives and liberals can be found in the area of national security. Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks and prepared for war. Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers. In the wake of 9/11, conservatives believed it was time to unleash the might and power of the United States military against the Taliban.
In the wake of 9/11, the liberals believed it was time to submit a petition. I'm not joking. Submitting a petition was precisely what Moveon.org, then known as 9/11peace.org did. You may have seen it in the New York Times or The Washington Post, The San Francisco Examiner or The L.A. Times.
It was a petition that "implored the powers that be" to "use moderation in responding to the terrorist attacks against the United States. I don't know about you but moderation and restraint is not what I felt when I watched the Twin Towers crumble to the ground, the side of the Pentagon destroyed and almost 3,000 of our fellow citizens perish in flames and rubble.
Moveon.org and Michael Moore and Howard Dean may dominate the Democratic Party and liberalism - but their moderation and restraint is not what Americans felt needed to be done, and moderation and restraint was not what was called for. It was a time to summon our national will and brandish steel.
Conservatives saw what happened to us on 9/11 and said we will defeat our enemies. Liberals saw what happened to us and said we must understand our enemies. Conservatives see the United States as a great nation involved in a noble cause of self-defense. Liberals are concerned with what our enemies will think of us and whether every government approves of our actions.
Has there ever been a more revealing moment than this year when the Democratic senator, Democrat Dick Durbin, speaking on the Senate floor, compared what Americans have done to prisoners in our control in Guantanamo with what was done by Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot - three of the most brutal and malevolent figures of the 20th century.
Let me put this in really simple terms. Al Jazeera now broadcasts the words of Sen. Durbin to the Mideast, certainly putting our troops in greater danger. No more needs to be said about the motives of liberals.

The Polaroid-onizer

2005-06-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what to do with this site but it works.

UPDATE: I have updated the link to one that actually works. You're welcome.

Learned Revelations

2005-06-16T23:13:00.000-07:00

I am just finishing Tom Sowell's "Black Rednecks and White Liberals". It is fundamentally six essays serving as chapters on unrelated topics. Chapter 1 explains demographic European migrants' and their behaviors to it's concurrent behaviors that fostered and grew in their American settlements in the South. These behaviors included sexual promiscuity and according deviancy; unambitious work ethic; lack of education and literacy; drinking patterns and fighting.
These traits were held by their ancestors in Northern England and Scotland and therefore translated into a unique American culture. Until slavery was widespread, the South was full of plantation and other land owners who's wealth spared them not their ancestral behaviors. Blacks were introduced to the antebellum South via the slave trade. They were brought into a culture with distinctions of rampant poor behavior and illiteracy. As slaves, black learning was not permitted and the culture of illiteracy was passed onto them as were the many other deviant behaviors associated with the unlearned. Pre Civil War, there were many assimilated blacks living in the North in New York and Illinois. They were accepted as peers and some became distinguished due to superior education at the segregated Hampton Institute. But upon the abolishment of slavery and 3 million peoples instantly freed, the resulting surge of blacks into the North overwhelmed the relatively small black populations already there. Their very different behavior patterns shocked and appauled all and brought jeers of vulgar, rowdy unwashed and criminal. This strained relations between blacks and whites eventually and after a few decades the reason why this occurred is lost in its' resulting ambivilance toward these rednecks. Remnants of this culture remain today in the South but are more prominent in the ghettoes of America.

Chapter 1 covers the 'Black Rednecks' part of the title. White liberals are chastised later for their 'feel-good' laws that exploit blacks rather than fix patterned problems by ignoring the defined catalysts.

Lib newspapers pine from the sidelines.

2005-06-10T08:12:00.000-07:00

A common editorial topic since the last election has been, 'How can the Democrats get their power back?' Well, the next President, Republican or Democrat, will be sworn in on Jan 20th 2009. I just turned thirty four and am not wondering what my life will be like at 37.5, yet. I will just continue to do the right thing and make correct choices a large percentage of the time and by then I know I'll be a better man. The Dems however, have a steeper hill to climb. After the election they felt they needed to make inroads with the red-state evangelical types. Meanwhile, Howard Dean is castigating those 'white Christians' in the Republican Party counter-productive to their long-term remedy.

EJ Dionne of The Seattle Times has written a 'nothing' piece containing this gem--

Blaming everything on Kerry as the supposedly elitist,* stiff and indecisive Massachusetts liberal is the Democrats' version of cheap grace.

*editor's note: Supposedly!

I tossed Dionne an email:
Sir, John Kerry has already been rejected by the American people. For some reason he thinks he can run again , but some wise Dems not only realize what a joke of a person he is but that he's already been politically castrated. Don't stomp on wise Dems toes sir, they're your only hope.

Peggy Noonan article in the WSJ

2005-06-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

When asked about politics, people on the street often answer this--

"I think both sides act like babies and the name calling should stop. We need more unity from both sides of the aisle. This is the reason I hate politics and politicians."

This is an honest assessment, in relative terms. Relative, that is, to a person's political awareness. But let's look at this past weekend.
Howard Dean (D) --"The struggle between the Republican Party and Democratic party is the struggle between good and evil---and they're the evil. I hate Republicans. Let's face it, they've never made an honest living in their whole life."
Hillary Clinton (D) -- "Republicans are intent on abusing power, destroying the United States Senate and undermining our Constitution. ...they have never been aquainted with the truth..."

Does this sort of banter bring unity and dignity to our Senate and harmony between the aisles? Read Peggy Noonan's article here as it discusses this topic exactly.

The Arena of Ideas

2005-06-08T04:27:00.000-07:00

That which drives a person's interest to politics is commonly current events. Reading Drudge and subscribing to daily newsprints, one can keep a good grip on what goes on in our country, and issues that face other countries as well. A trove knowledge of current and recent events helps shape one's opinion and hopefully gives the thinker a variety of options in his conversations day-to-day. This gained knowledge allows one to interact freely in the arena of ideas, that persuasive realm which, if administered successfully, unites men through mindfully persuasive argument.

To follow American politics is to witness a high stakes wrangling, shaped by popular opinion and rhetorical deft. Through sieves of media or straight from lobbyists, stances on issues ultimately reach our elected officials in hopeful guidance. Then when politicians interact with media, we can gauge their consistency and connectivity to the people's will. Politics are what much of the discussions in producers and editorial boards across the nation are about. A Senator's words are scrutinized by media using an algebra that includes party-line stance, opposition blocs, and immediate constituencies. The public's reaction to media is where 'the people' and 'the media' interact vicariously. Through AM phone calls, letters-to-the-editor and online blogs, Americans enjoy an emboldenment by bringing their voice into the arena of ideas.

For some, the arena of ideas is where a person wears their intellectual stripes. If one can balance an arsenal of knowledge, a cool head and a smooth authority of words he has conquered a good portion of the 'art of argument'. The art of argument is where flawed logic is flayed, skewered and left nakedly exposed to defend itself.

When one applies skepticism and scrutiny to the behavior of modern day politicians, while interacting with a media of choice, in the arena of ideas, that person is often referred to as "biased". "Biased" meaning that from one's stance on any issue, another assumes to forecast stances on a whole host of other social issues. Often bias will coincide with common sense in one's eyes and the label "biased" is worn as a badge of righteous honor. Others hail "biased" as a pejorative, citing that they are intolerant of other's ideas. Using "biased" in this manner attempts to end a discussion with an ad hominem. Ad hominems attack a person's character rather than address the contentions made.

The arena of ideas should be held as a noble pique of one's interest and used as a medium for persuasive brevity and honest debate. When these criteria are not met, and the arena of ideas is used to wield ad hominem attacks, constructive dialogue has then collapsed. Ad hominems result in a clear victory for the art of argument student. A related violation of argumentative skills occurs when, confronted with legitimate facts, an opponent derides the 'fact-giver' as an attacker. This method is used liberally by many political figures and serves as an insult to one's intelligence and often gains them the label 'dodger'.

Another logical fallacy that pols use often is called 'begging-the-question'. Begging-the-question is when the main line of an argument is dodged and a lesser line is taken up instead. For example, in the 2004 Presidential election, John Kerry spoke repeatedly of George Bush's secret plan to reinstate the military draft. To insinuate such a concrete allegation and then offer no provable facts is to beg the question, "What has led to this assertion?" or more succinctly "Prove it!". Without proof this is an insult to logic at best.

Just making note of a person's known bias is not against argument rules. Only when it is meant to score negative points with an audience (two or more) has the word "biased" run afoul. To blast "biased" at an opponent attempts to discredit him and deems the one blasting a wrongfully self-determined authority over another's opinions.

Media plays a huge role in the issuance of popular opinion. Since the same collection of people frame news and opinion on TV or in print, it is worthy to be virulently skeptical. Enlisting a compile of our favorite 'medias of choice' is a way to gather trusted authority on topics and hear oppositional takes added to discussions.

Collectively though it is the media's responsibility to deliver news in an objective way so as not to exert their personal opinions on a non-captive audience. More importantly though it is our responsibility to maintain a learned opinion and not rely exclusively on media like a sheep to a single shepherd. Find your facts in multiple sources and learn the topics and then you'll be in a better position to scrutinize politicians and media effectively.

Charles Krauthammer.

2005-06-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

Charles Krauthammer is on fire. He's addressing the liberals who've created a story about not prisoner abuse, but book abuse. Since when did books get rights? What bar was I in when this law was written? Maybe Newsweek 'magazines' could sue the American public for its' sinking readership and spiking profits.

As the years progress, these nitwits tie themselves into wads trying to fend off hoots of hypocrisy for past statements from peolpe who actually pay attention. With all this anti-American sentiment in the press these days, I'm starting to feel a lot more like Michael Savage. He says George Bush should dust off the Sedition Act of 1918 enacted after WWI. It states:

Whoever, when the United States is at war, shall willfully make or convey false reports or false statements with intent to interfere with the operations or success of the military or naval forces of the US, or to promote the success of its enemies or shall willfully make or convey false reports, or false statements,...

For this offence against our country one would be given the maximun twenty years in federal prison. I think that statement is pretty clear. But even more damning would be this line:

...shall willfully obstruct the recruiting or enlistment service of the United States,...

I think the school boards of Harvard and Yale would be firstly indicted.

"Maverick moderatism"

2005-05-31T20:38:00.000-07:00

Brandon Miniter from WSJ Online gives a much more eloquent voice to my opinion of John McCain. This sentence sums up a good message for Johnny McCain--

Talk of being a "compassionate conservative" notwithstanding, it wan't maverick moderatism that handed president Bush victories in 2000 and 2004.

Thomas Sowell's latest on McCain and Frist

2005-05-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

After all the glowing words surrounding the Senate 'compromise'in which the Republicans folded their hand despite holding all the high cards, it is worth taking a look at who won what and why.

The biggest winner is John McCain, who once again sold out principles and party, to the applause of the mainstream media. Not only is he assured of good publicity, he has pulled the rug out from under Majority Leader William Frist, his probable chief rival for the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination.

Those who claim that Senator McCain has fortified the support of the Republican base by selling out his party must not realize that McCain never had support of that base in the first place, as shown by their votes in the 2000 Republicn primaries.

Read the whole article here.

Solid Points from American Thinker

2005-05-26T06:25:00.000-07:00

American Thinker.com offers some of the best and most original writing on the political web-scene. Of the latest Senate whirlwind, Roy Lofqist offers these key points not yet made.....except by me.

The core issue at hand is that the minority attempted to assert a new power.

As to the political implications, I believe that the 81-18 vote in favor of cloture on the Owen filibuster is a clear sign that the obstructionist wing of the (Democrats) party is being tossed. I would not be surprised if Dean, Reid and Pelosi are gone by the end of the summer.

Very interesting thoughts. This would be the Democrats shining moment, with voters, if this actually happens. They could change their entire image by lopping off the left wing cuckoos.

2005-05-25T23:08:00.000-07:00

The little blond cave-baby is my Peyton and the other is our neighbor Jenny.

Senate Republicans are weak

2005-05-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

I am not alone in the loser's locker room. The Republicans, even with a formidible 55-45 majority have been procedurely beaten, flogged and otherwise horsewhipped by a party occupying the Senate minority. The Democrats, through this victory, will set the agenda as to how future business will be handled in the Senate. No longer is a majority party given it's dilligence. Props to the Democrats for scaring the weak-kneed in the Republican majority into a compromise that allows them to save face by killing the dreaded 'nuclear option'.

The real losers here are the American people, as usual. We waded through a 2004 election with our money, attentiveness and hearts to get some of these (R)s elected to represent conservative principles. Instead we get The Royal Moderate, John McCain, to gather enough slag and douse the majority. Honestly, this is very devastating to future issue battles. No matter the issue, the middle-of-the-roaders will gather behind closed quarters and spawn a deal that makes them media heroes.

If you think you'll ever get Democrats to break rank when they are in the majority just for compromise's sake you are sadly mistaken.

Read other opinions here: Hugh Hewitt, Thomas Sowell, NY Times, Washington Times

A Hawaiian Voyage

2005-05-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

I will be with the wife on a jetplane tomorrow morning on my way to Honolulu. Do they have beer there? I thought so.

If I may leave you with an interesting article I read. It's here from American_Thinker .com.

On my way out the door I give you this from Victor Davis Hanson.

Good Lord, Man.

2005-05-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

I am simply disgusted with the Cincinnati Reds right now. I'm so pissed I can't figure out what I'm more pissed about; Danny Graves irritating pitching line, 1.0 IP 4 H 4 R 4 ER 2 HR 36.00 ERA.; Eric Milton and Paul Wilson stealing paychecks with over 7.00 ERAs; or that Reds hitters were stymied by 78 MPH fastballs from 'Stroker Ace' Tom Glavine. I heard today they're tlaking to the Dodgers about dealing Joe Randa. This team is an abomination. If Dave Miley isn't to blame then he should be bitching his way into getting fired soon. Holy shit, could Marvin Lewis coach the Reds too? In honor of some of the worst teams ever in Reds history, they should seek out and hire John McNamera to coach this sack of crap posing as a sack of crap. Aargh.

Secured

2005-05-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

I have secured Ozzfest tickets for the second year in a row @ Glen Helen Pavilion(Aug 20) in Riverside County. Last year was Slayer, Superjoint Ritual and Judas Priest. This year is Slipknot and Iron Maiden. Sounds good to me.

Update

2005-05-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

System of a Down's new album 'Mesmerize' hits the shelves Tuesday May 17th. Having heard the two singles from the album already it is a safe bet for Album of the Year 2005. If you saw them perform on SNL last week you'll agree.

Speaking of SNL, last night's musical guest was Queens of the Stone Age. The show was hosted by Will Ferrell and during QotSA's first set, Ferrell came onstage playing the cowbell. Red permed wig and all. Classic.

Sunday morning usually means a piece from Mark Steyn and as usual he hits one out of the park.

Democrats misguided reasoning

2005-05-13T06:49:00.000-07:00

Charles Krauthammer describes the filibuster situation with acute logic. Read the whole thing here.

Here's the crux;

Democrats have not had a ver good run recently in the popularly elected branches. Since choosing the wrong side of the culture wars of the 60's, they have won only three of the last ten presidential elections. A decade ago they lost control of the House for the first time in 40 years, and now they have lost all the executive branches. They are in a panic that they will lose their one remaining ability to legislate -- through the courts.

And this they have done with great success, legislating by judicial fiat everything from abortion to gay marriage to religion in the public square. They want to maintain that commanding height of the culture and are not about to let something like presidential prerogative and two centuries of Senate history stand in their way. -Washington Post 5/13/05

The reason these issues, abortion, gay marriage, etc... remain linchpins are because they were not laws passed by elected officials nor were they issues vited on by the people. A resiliant answer was given by Governor Arnold when asked if he supported gay marriage. He said (paraphrased) "I will support gay marriage if that issue is put on the ballot and the people vote for it. I will obey the people's will."

...and another thing..

2005-05-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

If you disagree that John McCain is the MSM's (main-stream media) Republican token because he commonly sides with Democrats, consider the treatment of Zell Miller. Miller (D), Georgia Senator spoke out against his party's weak stance on national defense last summer. He was certainly not fawned over as a 'maverick Democrat' instead he was called "an angry man". Because to the elites in the media he's a not a 'maverick' he's more of a traitor.

But John McCain can get a slot on any MSM talk show on Sunday morning because he takes the high road and calls for moderation and consideration on every issue. He then gains the label the 'great moderate' of the Republican Party.

A paradox at minimum even if you feel the label 'liberal media' is hogwash.

Also don't forget that John Kerry asked in earnest for McCain to be his running mate. Even though McCain declined the offer, the symbolism left many conservatives ill with unneeded validation.

John McCain : The Lemming

2005-05-11T22:40:00.000-07:00

John McCain, Arizona Senator, urged Republican leaders to find a compromise over President Bush's stalled judicial nominees. Senate Majoity Leader Bill Frist has placed his bets on a Senate rule change involving filibustering judicial nominees. As it stands it takes 60 votes to halt a filibuster which by the way, has only be threatened to now by Democrats. However, the Senate tool the filibuster, has never been used to block a sitting President's judicial nominees. Republicans want for each nominee to be given an up-and-down vote on the Senate floor to which they carry a favorable 55-45 majority. If the rule is indeed changed (gasp, the nuclear option), that vote would occur. So the question is, where is the neglect in process? The Democrats unprecedented filibustering of judicial nominees or the Republican's wish to change a simple 51 majority to quash a filibuster; only in the case of judicial nominees.

It is not unreasonable to ask for a majority victory in front of all 100 Senators, it is also not unreasonable to change a Senate rule to make sure dignified,long tenured judges get the dignity of a full vote. Vote against them if you wish them defeated but to chortle the whole process up with more vapid process gets nothing done.

Now back to John McCain. Does he not know he is a token Republican? Main stream media (MSM) will dash to get a quote from the 'maverick moderate'. He who would go to ill threshholds of compromise to that we can all hug and make 50-50 laws that fix nothing. John McCain adores the adoration he receives from the liberal pulpits and the liberal editorial boards across America. He is that lone Republican that Republican's can always count on to never vote like one. He's in a sure dire twilly if he thinks conservatives will support him in '08. A media orgy does not equal votes. John McCain will be revered by the pointy-heads and academics while the people scoff and give Newt Gingrich the Republican nod. Oh yes, he would decimate Hillary Clinton. He's had real life experience in beating her before.

Textile horseradish

2005-05-08T00:42:00.000-07:00

I am now able to stroll confientally through gated communities with seeming improbable flexibility. So put on your iPod-phones listen to Van Halen's "I'll Wait" with patience. It's a song you can play all three air instrumests to when you're buzzed. Drums, bass or electric organ. It's super fresh. Like an afternoon game at Hardman Field. It always sounds less than words give it credence. So listen, Coach Gold's hands are behind his back man, that means 'Take'. Even if that Mescher kid from Versailles is on the mound grooving his bullshit curve-ball on a 3-1 count.
Yeah, we’re runnin’ a little bit hot tonight.
I can barely see the road from the heat comin’ off of it.
She’s blinding, I’m flying,
Right behind the rear-view mirror now.
Got the feeling, power steering,
Pistons popping, ain’t no stopping now!
Panama, panama

So don't swing! Just grab your own flavor and if not alone, find a back hall or pathway you can quicken your moshstep to for a minute.
This is the latest at www.stomp-monger.blogspot.com --Larry Meiring

Condescension leads to ridicule in every case.

2005-05-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

The San Diego Chargers received bad news today because Shawne Merriman, one of their 1st round picks in the draft, fired his agent and hired the Poston Bros. Immediately the Poston's informed the Charger GM A.J. Smith that their client was not reporting to mini-camp until they amend a trivial sentence in his contract regarding injury during mini-camp. This on the surface appears to be splitting hairs but the Poston's are known for protracted hold-outs of their clients.

So all morning on the San Diego sports radio channel (Mighty 1090), callers and the hosts derided this move and chastised the Poston's. Kevin Poston, attorney, called into the show to plead his case and came off sounding like an absolute shyster. His arguement was so weak he stated in perfect John Kerry fashion that 'the fans' wouldn't be expected to understand contract law and the nuances of law. In other words, we, the fans, are too ignorant to understand the nuances of his bullshiite....I mean words.

THis did not go over well and after he hung up, radio host Scott Kaplan said (paraphrased), "I love it when guys think because they went to law school that they're smarter than the entire world. Anyone who has signed a contract for a job knows certain terms and this guy is making a huge mistake by messing with A.J. Smith over some ignorant non-clause."

After hearing the interview I found Kaplan's comments to be dead on.

If a person is "smarter than everyone else" wouldn't said person understand the implicit damage he does to his integrity by trying to condescend others? Law #21 from the "48 Laws of Power" states;

Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker - Seem Dumber than your Mark
No one likes to feel intellectually inferior to the next person. The trick is to make your victims feel smart- and not just smart, but smarter than you. Once convinced of this they will never suspect that you can and will outfox them eventually.

Finally, congratulations are out to Shawn the Cabilinasian for winning his unprecedented 3rd Smack-Off title on the Jim Rome radio show today.

The Reds in a nutshell

2005-05-03T19:11:00.000-07:00

I promise that this is not strictly a baseball blog but I'm unhinged at the Cincinnati Red's lack of team strength and character. You'd think Jason Marquis was the next Bill Gullickson as he plowed through Red's hitters Tuesday night. Speaking of Red's hitters, may I go deeper?

Ryan Freel - .327
Freel is the most dynamic player on the whole team. He should be given one position and start every day. He steals bases often (imagine that) and serves as quite the catalyst on the basepaths. He much resembles Robby Alomar in his younger years and despite his preseason DUI activity, he needs to play.

Ken Griffey Jr. - .250
He is a shell of a shell of his former self. A scrub in sheep's clothing. This man has lost all evidence of self confidence and swagger he once wielded. Though he's an above average center fielder, he is out of place batting second. He should truly be on the bench behind Wily Mo Pena and Wily Mo should feel suffocated playing behind the quasi-stardom of such a dullard and uncharismatic teammate.

Sean Casey - .313
Casey is one of the best singles hitters in the league with one of the best personalities to match. The Reds don't deserve his infectious personality because their team's ennui is impenetrable. I hate to think Casey is wasting his best year's on a team that doesn't mind losing 8 out of 10 every so often.

Austin Kearns - .214
I used to marvel at Kearns' swing when he was a rookie. He used to rip the ball like no other. Now he looks like the second coming of Paul Householder. In my opinion, playing alongside that sluggo Griffey has turned him into baby Huey. Also, if he weren't so tight with Adam Dunn he would've been traded to Tampa Bay for Julio Lugo long ago.

Adam Dunn - .280
Not a bad average for a Rob Deer reincarnate. His HR streaks are legendary but it looks as if 90% of the NL pitchers have figured him out. Somehow, the Reds front office still considers him and Kearns their future. They should all be fired for sitting on their collective hands going "DUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHH" while this team envelops itself.

Rich Aurilia - .218
If the front office had any plan whatsoever, signing Aurilia would have been a superior move in the off season. He is just the type of veteran contact hitter (with occasional power) any contending team cherishes at the bottom of their lineup or on the the bench as a pinch hitter. But on this team he'll blend as well as Moe Sizlak would as the Yankee's manager.

D'Angelo Jimenez - .197
How desolate must your team be to allow this scrub to occasionally lead off? There are many slick fielding guys in the majors who can't hit and most of them have lots of zees and vees in their names. But until Jimenez proves he can hit in the top 10 of the summer Mexican Leagues he should be in the minors developing a sweet goattee and better recipes for chimichangas.

Joe Randa - .276
See Aurilia. He's another veteran pro who would normally look good batting 6th, but the Reds lack of firepower has transmogrified into reliance of Randa for power. (with cleched teeth) A major league club with Griffey and Dunn in the lineup has Joe freeking Randa batting cleanup. What in God's name is wrong here?

Danny Graves needs to be released, outright!

2005-05-02T21:26:00.000-07:00

I took my time on a mid-break from class to hit the computer room just in time to see the Reds blow a 6 run lead in the 9th to the Cardinals. That's right, it was 9-3 Reds until that round mound of meatballs David Weathers came in and walked the first two batters he faced giving up 4 runs only to be relieved by that cuisinart Vietnamese scrubby-ass Danny Graves, who, with two on (from Weathers) serves up the groove to Jim Edmonds for a 3 run jack. Then after a Sean Casey error Graves tosses a Whiffle ball splitter that that beanpole Johnny Mabry used to see from his sister at his Delaware farmhouse Whiffle diamond. What in the hell are the Reds doing with Danny Graves, old-man Kent Mercker and tons-of-fun David Weathers actively participating in their bullpen? This is a major league travesty and as a Reds fan I want satisfaction.

2005-05-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Look at that face. He gets it honestly.

"Beatdown Artist" Take 1

2005-05-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

This will be my blog site. It is called Beatdown Artist and you will get opinion and novelty that hopefully garners some deep thought and laughter. My posting here will be random as I am employed full time and a part-time student and full-time Dad. Your comments are much appreciated.