Man of the hour

Do you applaud for the young North Korean defector?
Especially when he lofted his crutches in the air like a trophy?

Good.
You have a heart.

Which is better?

What will we enjoy more?
President Trump's State of the Union speech
or
The crazed reactions to Trump's speech.

Trey bien

Trey Gowdy's committee has voted to release the four-page memo about FISA - likely explaining how the Russian collusion story got rolling.
President Trump has a few days to agree with the plan to release it.
Well done, Rep. Gowdy.

Everywhere around the world

The New York Times grudgingly admits that economies around the world are doing well.
No tidy, all-encompassing narrative explains how the world has finally escaped the global downturn. The United States has been propelled by government spending unleashed during the previous administration, plus a recent $1.5 trillion shot of tax cuts. Europe has finally felt the effects of cheap money pumped out by its central bank.
In general terms, improvement owes less to some newfound wellspring of wealth than the simple fact that many of the destructive forces that felled growth have finally exhausted their potency.
President Trump said the United States is open for business.
Plenty of places are looking to put their money to work.
That's the easy answer.

We've got questions for you to answer

Democrats and members of the Hillary Clinton team have until Feb. 8 to answer some questions from the Senate.
What did they know and who did they pay?
The answers to those questions will clear up plenty.

Saturday song

Parkinson's Disease will end Neil Diamond's touring career, but we still have plenty to remember him.

Facebook quote of the week

Retweeted PoliticalMath (@politicalmath):
the company I work for just announced bonuses, citing the tax cut as a reason for giving them
The happiness seems fairly non-partisan and universal

Weekend watchdog

While the best of the NHL gather this weekend, NFL stars of the present and future close out their gridiron seasons.
Tampa hosts the NHL All-Star game, with coverage Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on NBC. The recent format remains in place, with stars from the four divisions battling in semifinal matchups. The winners of the semifinals compete in the final period.
NBC Sports network has the NHL skills competition Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The best NFL players - minus those on the two Super Bowl teams - match up Sunday in the Pro Bowl at 3 p.m. on ESPN and ABC. This year's format matches AFC against NFC, with the game in Orlando for the second straight year.
The NFL network has the Senior Bowl from Mobile Saturday at 2:30 p.m. NFL scouts and coaches looking to supplement rosters and boost their 2018 postseason chances gather for the final on-field action before the runup to the NFL draft.
The Australian Open closes its run with the men's final Sunday at 3:30 a.m. on ESPN. The women's championship will be Saturday at 3:30 a.m.
ESPN offers the Rockets against the Pelicans Friday at 8 p.m., and the Sixers' trip to Oklahoma City Sunday at 6 p.m.
It's Wizards-Hawks Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington.
The Celtics visit the Warriors Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.
On the college court, Wisconsin tangles with Michigan State Friday at 8 p.m. on FoxSports1.
North Carolina meets North Carolina State Saturday at noon on CBS, then Virginia faces Duke at 2 p.m.
Fox brings Arizona-UCLA Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
There's four contests between the SEC and Big 12 Saturday on ESPN, starting at noon with Baylor-Florida. Alabama takes on Oklahoma at 2:15 p.m., followed by Texas A&M against Kansas at 4:30 p.m. West Virginia tangles with Kentucky at 7 p.m.
ESPN2's day starts at noon with Texas Tech-South Carolina. Clashes between the SEC and Big 12 continue at 2 p.m. with Mississippi against Texas followed by TCU taking on Vanderbilt and Oklahoma State's contest with Arkansas. Virginia Tech tangles with Notre Dame at 8 p.m., and it's Valparaiso against Illinois State at 10 p.m.
The ACC network has Syracuse-Pittsburgh and Miami's contest with Florida State Saturday at 4 p.m., and Wake Forest battles Louisville at 8 p.m.
It's St. John's-Butler on FoxSports1 Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Duquesne duels with Rhode Island Saturday at noon on NBC Sports network, followed by Massachusetts-Fordham.
Bowie State battles Virginia State Saturday at 4 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington.
Maryland meets Michigan State Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS and Fox brings top-ranked Villanova against Marquette at 1 p.m.
Connecticut clashes with Temple on ESPN2 Sunday at 8 p.m.
On the women's court, Kansas State battles Kansas on FoxSports1 Sunday at 5 p.m.
Notre Dame faces Florida State at 4 p.m. Sunday on ESPN2, then it's Missouri-South Carolina at 6 p.m.
NBC Sports Washington has a pair of ACC contests Sunday, with Wake Forest-Louisville at 1 p.m. followed by North Carolina State against Clemson.
The PGA tour visits Torrey Pines on CBS Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
It's X Games weekend, continuing on ESPN Friday at 10:30 p.m. Action continues Saturday at 10:30 p.m., closing with final events Sunday at 8:30 p.m.
In the FA Cup, Manchester United takes on Yeovil Town Friday at 2:30 p.m. on FoxSports1. Leicester City faces Peterborough Saturday at 7:20 a.m. and Tottenham takes on Newport City at 12:30 p.m.
Liverpool battles West Brom Sunday at 6 a.m. on FoxSports1 and Chelsea clashes with Newcastle at 8:30 a.m.
In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich battles Hoffenheim Saturday at 9:25 a.m. on FoxSports1.
Fox carries the start of the 24 hours of Daytona Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Armory Invitational track and field meet is on NBC Sports network Saturday at 5 p.m.
NBC Sports network has women's World Cup skiing Saturday and Sunday at 6 a.m.
There's Big Bash League cricket between Brisbane and Melbourne Saturday at 3 a.m. on NBC Sports network.

#/IAMNOTABOT

Are Russian Bots running our political dialogue?
Doubtful.
But if you can't believe the Weekly World News, who can you believe?

From Burlington to Cooperstown

In 1990, I voted for the Appalachian League all-star teams.
Jim Thome played half the season for Burlington before being promoted.
Enough to earn a spot on the all-star team.
Now, he's made the ultimate all-star team in Cooperstown.
Good job voters.
I was ahead of you by 28 years.

Suicide Bambis

The deer jihad in Charlottesville is strong.
Last month, a co-worker had a deer jump in front of his car's path.
Tuesday, my car pool buddy and I were heading home when two deer decided rush hour was the perfect time to cross four lanes of busy traffic.
One made it.
One landed right in front of my friend's car.
His car will be spending a few days at the body shop.
The suicide Bambi's run ended on the side of the road.

Graceless, but right

Kurt Schlichter gives his advice for ladies dating celebrities - before they write lengthy articles on how unhappy they are.
I know what’s coming: You're condescending and patriarchal! 
Probably, but I’m still right.

CHIP on their shoulder

Commentary Magazine can't figure out what Democrats are thinking this weekend.
If Democrats have any strategic objective they intend to achieve as a result of this shutdown, it is a closely guarded secret. Right now, the party’s message is muddled—negotiations broke down over DACA recipients, children’s health, President Trump’s flighty negotiating style, Republican recalcitrance, and any number of prevailing conditions Democrats resent. Meanwhile, the party’s own members are itching to end the standoff, which has put children’s health in the balance—precisely what Democrats have long said they alone hoped to avoid.

Crisco kids

Who cares how the Eagles game turns out?
I want to know if any fans try to climb the light poles covered with Crisco.

Trump the mirror

Instapundit combines the themes of two Trump presidency after one year columns to explain why he's so hated in Washington.
Actually, and I think this is actually what goes to the horror of the political class, Trump reflects exactly who you are. Everything they hate about him, from the nonstop concern with what the press is saying, to the willingness to override traditions to do what he wants, is a characteristic that our political class has had for decades. He just does it with insufficiently-creased pants. If our media and political class weren’t horrible, Trump would have stayed in the hotel and TV business, and the people who hate him now would have happily attended his parties and taken pictures with him. But he is forcing them to acknowledge, at least unconsciously, just how horrible they are and they can’t deal with that.

Facebook quote of the week

Remember, the TRUTH will set you free! Unless you are:

Barack Obama
The Clintons
James Comey...
Andrew McCabe
James Baker
Peter Strzok
The Ohrs
John McCain
Bill Priestap
Lisa Page
Sally Yates
Susan Rice
Loretta Lynch
Adam Schiff
Etc

Then it will lock you up.
#ReleaseTheMemos

Saturday song

Do you feel like listening to the full version of this Peter Frampton song?

Weekend watchdog

Tom Brady has five Super Bowl rings.
The other three teams playing have none - combined.
The two teams competing for a ring at Super Bowl LII will be determined Sunday.
Brady and the Patriots will take on the Jacksonsville Jaguars at 3 p.m. on CBS in the AFC championship contest.
The Jaguars are making their second trip to the AFC title game in their 23 seasons. The Patriots have reached the conference final for the seventh straight year, after winning two of the last three contests.
Fox has the Vikings meeting the Eagles at 6:30 p.m. Minnesota hopes to return home to play in the big game in two weeks - something no Super Bowl host has done.
The Vikings lost four Super Bowls during the 70s, and Philadelphia has lost its two Super Bowl trips - the last against the Patriots in 2005.
For players trying to reach the NFL, FoxSports1 has the Collegiate Bowl Saturday at 4 p.m
ESPN offers Wizards-Pistons Friday at 8 p.m., followed by the Knicks' trip to Utah.
ABC gets into NBA coverage Saturday at 3:30 p.m. when the Thunder visit the Cavaliers. The Warriors meet the Rockets at 8:30 p.m.
St. Bonaventure meets Davidson Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. FoxSports1 has a pair of Big Ten contests Friday, with Indiana-Michigan State at 7 p.m. then Illinois' contest with Wisconsin.
There's three contests on CBS Saturday, beginning at noon with Villanova-Connecticut. Texas takes on West Virginia at 2 followed by Arizona's battle with Stanford.
Xavier clashes with Seton Hall on Fox Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Duke tangles with Pittsburgh on the ACC network Saturday at 4 p.m.
ESPN starts its Saturday at noon with Purdue-Iowa. There's an ACC matchup at 2 p.m., followed by Notre Dame against Clemson and Kansas' clash with Baylor at 6 p.m. The GameDay crew catches Kentucky's contest with Florida, with UCLA-Oregon in the nightcap at 10:15 p.m.
Virginia Tech hosts Florida State Saturday at noon on ESPN2. North Carolina takes on Georgia Tech at 2 p.m. before Missouri takes on Texas A&M. It's Tennessee-South Carolina at 6 p.m.
There's three Atlantic 10 games on NBC Sports network Saturday. George Washington meets VCU at 12:30 p.m., then it's LaSalle-Richmond and George Mason's contest with Duquesne.
Georgetown battles St. John's on FoxSports1 Saturday at noon, then it's Butler-DePaul.
American takes on Lafayette Saturday at 2 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington, followed by Fayetteville State-Livingstone.
Miami meets North Carolina State on the ACC network Sunday at noon along with Boston College-Louisville. FoxSports1 has Marquette-Villanova Sunday at noon.
On the women's court, MASN2 has three Big 12 women's contests Saturday. Oklahoma faces Oklahoma State at noon, then it's Texas-Texas Tech at 4 p.m. Kansas State battles Baylor at 7 p.m.
Connecticut clashes with Temple Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2. Tennessee tangle with Mississippi State at 3 p.m. followed by Florida State-Louisville.
Virginia tangles with Virginia Tech Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington.
The Australian Open continues third round play Friday at 9 p.m. on ESPN2. Coverage continues Saturday at 9 p.m. with the round of 16 beginning Sunday at 9 p.m.
The Capitals host the Canadiens Friday at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington. NBC carries the game with the Flyers Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
NBC Sports network offers the Kings taking on the Ducks Friday at 10 p.m.
On the college ice, Notre Dame faces Wisconsin Sunday at 3 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
Minnesota State meets St. Cloud State Saturday at 6 p.m. on FoxSports1.
The United States women's soccer team has an international friendly with Denmark Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Hertha Berlin duels with Dortmund in the Bundesliga Friday at 2:30 p.m. on FoxSports1. Hoffenheim meets Leverkusen Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and it's Bayern Munich-Werder Bremen Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Chelsea clashes with Brighton & Hove Albion Saturday at 7:25 a.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by Burnley-Manchester United. Southampton faces Tottenham Hotspur Sunday at 10:55 a.m.
NASCAR inducts its newest Hall of Fame class Friday at 8 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
The Melbourne Stars meet the Sydney Thunder on NBC Sports network in Big Bash League cricket Saturday at 2 a.m.

Build it right

City Journal anticipates the Trump infrastructure deal - with less federal government meddling.
“This is the first time any administration has taken a serious look at rethinking the role of the federal government in infrastructure, especially transportation,” Poole says. “In its first year, the Trump administration has appointed good people and enunciated sound federalist, market-oriented transportation principles. But the acid test will come when we see how much congressional support can be won for the administration’s new infrastructure plan.”

Where are the viewers?

Outkick the Coverage marvels at the lack of attention to major rating drops by the NFL this postseason.
Yep, every single game was down, no matter how good the games were. And, remember, three of these games were highly competitive in the divisional round this year. Whereas last year only two of the games were competitive. Hell, three of the four windows even feature one of the same teams from last year. And yes, I know, the Cowboys and the Packers played last year and those are the two biggest fan base draws in the NFL, but even if you pull that game out the numbers for the other three games also declined double digits. (The three other games were down 15.3%, 10.4% and 5.6%).

Healthy as a horse

Political Clown Parade enjoyed the doctor's report on President Trump.
It was indescribably satisfying to watch Adm. Ronny Jackson during today’s extraordinary press briefing humiliate the mainstream mongrels who have mercilessly hounded this President.

Power outage

The feel-good story of the day comes from Election Night 2016 - how Samantha Power wanted women from the United Nations to enjoy being at Hillary's victory party.
As the host, I was kind of hoping it wouldn’t be quite the blowout that it was anticipated to be, because I wanted to make sure that people had a chance to interact with Gloria Steinem.
The night didn't go as planned - happily for us.

How Hawaii scared its citizens

The Atlantic explores how Hawaii sent out the wrong information that scared so many Saturday morning.
With such sophisticated and time-tested systems behind the scenes, how could that agency make a mistake like this one? The simple answer is human error, which is how the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency spokesperson Richard Rapoza characterized the incident in an interview with my colleague Adrienne LaFrance. That explanation serves up cold comfort to the Hawaii residents who thought they faced possible obliteration this morning. “My 10-year-old said, ‘I thought we were going to die,’”tweeted Chris Gaither, who is on vacation in Hawaii.
But beyond a bad look, human error is also not a terribly informative explanation for the spike in anxiety the message created. That’s largely because emergency notifications have become so efficient. Too efficient, maybe.

Manning in Maryland

Back in high school, I had a classmate with the last name Manning.
I remember his saying before an election.
"Don't vote Demo-rat, Vote Pub."
Wonder if he's heard the latest Manning news.
I doubt he'll be a supporter.

Clintons and Haiti

Thanks to the leaker, the National Review reruns a piece from 2016 about how the Clintons got rich off the 2010 Haitian earthquake.
The devastating effect of the earthquake on a very poor nation provoked worldwide concern and inspired an outpouring of aid money intended to rebuild Haiti. Countries around the world, as well as private and philanthropic groups such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, provided some $10.5 billion in aid, with $3.9 billion of it coming from the United States.
Haitians such as Andre, however, noticed that very little of this aid money actually got to poor people in Haiti. Some projects championed by the Clintons, such as the building of industrial parks and posh hotels, cost a great deal of money and offered scarce benefits to the truly needy. Port-au-Prince was supposed to be rebuilt; it was never rebuilt. Projects aimed at creating jobs proved to be bitter disappointments. Haitian unemployment remained high, largely undented by the funds that were supposed to pour into the country. Famine and illness continued to devastate the island nation.

Saturday song

Go can go all the way today with the Raspberries.

Facebook quote of the week

Hugging the living room wood stove today. I might try to crawl in.

Open your eyes

At DaTech Guy's blog, Fausta puts her years of experience in Latin America to work.
I’ve been blogging about Latin America for fourteen years. The conditions in Haiti are the worst in our hemisphere. El Salvador is riddled with crime. Venezuela has declined to the point it may qualify for a spot on the list.
So, I’d like to ask all who are insulted by having a country described as a “shithole,” where were you when the Clintons became the King and Queen of Haiti?
El Salvador became the homicide capital of the world: One murder every hour, reports The Guardian. Gang members are killing people in the US and sending the videos to their bosses in El Salvador. Were you aware?
Trump didn't cause any of these problems.
It will take people from those countries and the United States to improve their lives.

Weekend watchdog

The Patriots, Steelers, Vikings and Eagles are rested.
The Titans, Falcons, Jaguars and Saints have a postseason victory under their belts already.
Who's going to advance in the race for Super Bowl LII?
The NFL postseason reaches the conference semifinals this weekend, starting Saturday at 4:30 p.m. when the top-seeded Eagles host the Falcons on NBC. Atlanta, the only member of last year's playoff field to make a return trip, ousted the Rams Saturday night.
CBS has the Saturday primetime matchup as the Patriots take on the Titans at 8:15 p.m. The Titans won a playoff game for the first time since 2003 on Saturday - a year they lost to the Patriots in this round's primetime game.
The Steelers look to avenge a Week 5 loss when the Jaguars come to town Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS.
Super Bowl host Minnesota battles the Saints on Fox at 4:30 p.m. in a rematch of the Monday Night Football opener. The Vikings posted a victory over the Saints that night, and stand two wins from being the first team to ever play in the Super Bowl at their home stadium.
The Australian Open starts its two week run Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
The Warriors battle the Bucks Friday at 8 p.m. on ESPN, with Rockets-Suns in the nightcap. Sunday at 9 p.m., the TrailBlazers face the Timberwolves. The Wizards host the Magic Friday at 7 p.m. and the Nets Saturday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington.
On the college court, VCU meets Dayton on ESPN2 Friday at 7 p.m. Butler battles Marquette on FoxSports1 Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Providence plays DePaul at 8:30 p.m.
Florida faces Mississippi on CBS Saturday at 1 p.m. and Indiana takes on Northwestern Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
Michigan meets Michigan State Saturday at noon on Fox, followed by Creighton-Xavier.
ACC Network has Duke-Wake Forest Saturday at noon, with Georgia Tech against Pittsburgh and Syracuse's contest at Florida State at 2 p.m.
ESPN starts its day Saturday with Kansas State meeting Kansas at noon. West Virginia tangles with Texas Tech at 2 p.m., followed by Kentucky-Vanderbilt. The prime-time crew catches North Carolina against Notre Dame at 6 p.m.
There's six games on ESPN2 Saturday, beginning at noon as Purdue meets Minnesota. It's Oregon against Arizona at 2 p.m. followed by Virginia Tech-Louisville. Missouri clashes with Arkansas at 6 p.m., then Valparaiso battles Northern Iowa and San Diego State faces Boise State in the nightcap at 10 p.m.
Georgetown tangles with Seton Hall Saturday at noon on FoxSports1. Villanova takes on St. John's at 8 p.m.
LaSalle duels with Duquesne Saturday at noon on NBC Sports network. It's St. Louis-George Mason at 2 p.m. followed by George Washington's trip to Richmond.
NBC Sports network has Davidson-Fordham Sunday at 3 p.m. and St. Joseph's contest with Massachusetts at 5 p.m.
In boys high school basketball, ESPN has Chico Hills against Spartanburg Day Saturday at 8 p.m.
On the women's court, Tennessee tangles with South Carolina Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2, followed by Virginia-Duke.
There's ACC women's basketball Sunday at NBC Sports Washington, with North Carolina-Wake Forest at 12:30 p.m. followed by Virginia Tech against Florida State.
Baylor battles Oklahoma on FoxSports1 Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Penguins host the Rangers on NBC Sports network Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Chelsea clashes with Leicester City Saturday at 9:55 a.m. on NBC Sports network. NBC has Tottenham Hotspur's contest with Everton Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Arsenal battles Bournemouth Sunday at 8:25 a.m. before Liverpool tangles with Manchester City on NBC Sports network.
In the Bundesliga, Leverkusen takes on Bayern Munich Friday at 2:30 p.m. on FoxSports1. Werder Breman battles Hoffenheim Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. it's Koln against B M'gladbach followed by Dortmund-Wolfsburg at noon.
NBC Sports network has the Arena Pro Swim Series Friday at 7 p.m.
In Big Bash League Cricket, the Sydney Sixers take on the Sydney Thunder Saturday at 3 a.m. on NBC Sports network.

What's new pussy hat?

Time for the first anniversary of the Pussy Hat march on Washington.
But someplaces won't have pussyhats.
Because pink doesn't cover everyone.
And...
"The Pink P*ssy Hat reinforces the notion that woman = vagina and vagina = woman, and both of these are incorrect."
Thus says women in Florida.
So we should listen to them on serious business?

People who like Trump

Scott Adams highlights the Small Business Owners Index and finds help for President Trump.
Big businesses can do fine with a president who promotes policies that favor big corporations, even if the rest of the country is suffering. But when small business owners are feeling good about the economy, that means the president is doing a more bottoms-up job of getting things right. President Trump has focused on bottoms-up economics from the start, meaning jobs and lessened regulations. Apparently that is working.
I have been telling you for two years straight that psychology drives the economy, and that a Master Persuader such as President Trump can directly influence psychology and optimism. We see him doing that right before our eyes.

People are talking

Would you like to see Oprah Winfrey run for president?
She's got the star power.
Do boring politicians have a chance to beat Donald Trump?
A few decades from now, if some poor historians put themselves through the trouble of assessing the hundreds of thousands of words the major press has dedicated to explaining why and how Donald Trump won the presidency, they will find few of them have been devoted to a fact that contributed to both his rise and the reception of Winfrey’s Golden Globes speech: The major figures on the contemporary American political scene are impossibly boring. With a few notable exceptions, every major presidential contender of our recent past seems small against the backdrop of the grand historical narrative we’ve weaved for ourselves.

Thousand points of blight

I am so sad.
President Trump's "Fake News Awards" won't be on Monday after work.
Too much interest.
I don't know how long I can wait.
Will CNN sweep or some other network snag one?

Can't wait for today's ratings

The NFL suffered through another season with dropping ratings.
But now it's the postseason.
Except today's 1 p.m. game matches Buffalo and Jacksonville.
Two small market teams who haven't been to the postseason in years.
Score at halftime?
3-3.
First game in 18 years where neither team crossed midway in the first quarter.
CBS can't wait for the Patriots and Steelers to get in action.

Walking the pipeline

We've heard for years about the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and the protests about its path.
How about the Dominion employees trying to make it work?
The pair have visited, met and talked with hundreds of landowners along the route, including dozens in Nelson County, during the past couple of years. From the forested areas of Shipman in eastern Nelson, hidden among winding, partially paved roads, to the more-populated area of Nellysford, Park and Moody have seen the creeks, pastures and other resources that will be affected by the pipeline.

It's spreading

Via Powerline, proof that President Trump's attitudes have spread to Iran.

Facebook quote of the week

HAPPY NEW YEAR...to all of you! Welcome to 2018! If you are in this area of the country, stay bundled up and warm today!

Saturday song

Eric Carmen shows the great 70s hair and wardrobe, all by himself.

Weekend watchdog

When we entered 2017, James Madison lofted the trophy in the Bowl Championship Series.
After a year without a loss, the Dukes return to Frisco seeking a repeat title.
James Madison faces North Dakota State Saturday at noon on ESPN2 in a rematch of last year's semifinal.
The Dukes upset the Bison at their stadium before ousting Youngstown State in the championship. The Bison won five straight titles from 2011-2015 before James Madison claimed the 2016 crown.
The Bowl Championship Series crowns its champion Monday, as Georgia faces Alabama on ESPN at 8:30 p.m. The SEC foes knocked off top-seeded Clemson and second-seeded Oklahoma to ensure their league another title.
The NFL postseason gets underway Saturday at 4:30 p.m. when the Titans tangle with the Chiefs on ESPN. The Falcons - last year's NFC champion - take on the upstart Los Angeles Rams Saturday at 8:15 p.m. on NBC.
The Bills make their first playoff appearance of the 21st century on Sunday, meeting the Jaguars at 1 p.m. on CBS. The weekend closes Sunday at 4:40 p.m. on Fox with an NFC South matchup between the Panthers and division champion Saints in New Orleans.
ESPN offers Timberwolves against the Celtics Friday at 7 p.m., then it's the Wizards meeting Memphis at 9:30 p.m. NBC Sports Washington also has coverage Friday, along with Saturday's game against Milwaukee at 8 p.m.
On the college court, Wisconsin faces Rutgers Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN then it's Northern Kentucky against Oakland. FoxSports1 has Northwestern-Penn State Friday at 8 p.m. and Oregon takes on Oregon State at 10 p.m.
Missouri meets Florida on CBS Saturday at 1 p.m. and it's Michigan State-Ohio State Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
Fox offers Xavier against Providence Saturday at noon.
The ACC network brings Pittsburgh's contest with Virginia Tech Saturday at noon along with Louisville-Clemson.
Virginia tangles with North Carolina Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN, with Duke-North Carolina State at 8 p.m.
Notre Dame meets Syracuse Saturday at 3:15 p.m. on ESPN2. It's Indiana-Minnesota at 5:15 p.m., followed by a top 10 battle between Oklahoma and West Virginia. Kansas takes on TCU in the nightcap at 9:15 p.m.
Seton Hall battles Butler Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on FoxSports1 and Marquette meets Villanova at 8 p.m.
MASN2 has Big East basketball Saturday, starting with Creighton's clash with Georgetown at noon. DePaul takes on St. John's at 2 p.m.
Liberty hosts Presbyterian Saturday at 4 p.m. on MASN.
Massachusetts meets Dayton Saturday at noon on NBC Sports network, followed by VCU-LaSalle.
Cincinnati clashes with SMU Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2 and FoxSports1 has Iowa-Maryland at 8 p.m. before Stanford faces Southern Cal.
NBC Sports network offers Davidson-George Mason Sunday at noon.
On the women's court, there's three games on ESPN2 Sunday, starting at noon with Ohio State-Michigan. South Carolina meets Missouri at 2 p.m. and Stanford tangles with Arizona State at 4 p.m.
Texas Tech takes on TCU Sunday at 3 p.m. on MASN2.
The Capitals host the Blues Sunday at 3 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington.
The Bruins battle the Penguins on NBC Sports network Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
On the college ice, it's Notre Dame-Michigan Sunday at 3 p.m.
The United States Figure Skating championships has its women's finals Friday at 8 p.m. on NBC.
NBC Sports network has the short dance program Friday at 4 p.m.
NBC Sports network has U.S. Olympic trials in speed skating Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m., with mass start speed skating Sunday at 6 p.m.
FoxSports1 brings Liverpool-Everton Friday at 2:30 p.m. Leicester City takes on Fleetwood Town Saturday at 7:30 a.m. on FoxSports1, then it's Manchester City-Burnley and Norwich City's clash with Chelsea at 12:30 p.m.
The FA Cup continues Sunday at 9 a.m. with West Ham against Shrewsbury on FoxSports1 and Nottingham battles Arsenal at 11 a.m.
NBC Sports network has Alpine skiing Saturday and Sunday at 6 a.m. and women's bobsled Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
There's rugby between the Wasps and Saracens Sunday at 10 a.m. on NBC Sports network.

Driving liberals crazy

Scott Adams has plenty to say about Tuesday's tweet from President Trump about North Korea.
Here we see President Trump “pacing” (or matching) the hyperbolic rhetoric of Kim Jung Un. The two leaders are trash-talking each other like sports rivals. But what is missed in the hysterics over wording is that President Trump and Kim Jung Un are negotiating personally, albeit in public. And I think it is safe to say both players know they are being over-the-top with their trash-talk. The odds of a nuclear miscalculation based on anything said so far is effectively zero. And if the rhetoric ratchets up to a new level of hyperbole, I would still see no additional risk. President Trump and Kim Jong Un have demonstrated they know the difference between trash-talk and action.

My button works

The twitter hits keep coming for President Trump in 2018.

Lock her up

An amusing story hit my Facebook feed today.
Someone was upset with President Trump's tweet.
Surprise, surprise.
The one where he talked about Huma Abedin.
Is it a case of rising Trump wanting to use government power to punish his foes?
Or a reminder of how close we came to Careless Huma and Hillary in the White House.
Why does Trump keep going back to Clinton and her gang?
It's part of his greatest hits.
Simple as that.
No complex government scheme looming.

Trump effect hits Virginia

Blue Virginia doesn't like it, but a bill is ready to be introduced to reduce Red Tape in Virginia government.
President Trump has made a big deal of reducing regulation in his first year in the White House.
Good to see states following his leadership example.

How to protest

Progressives are so proud of themselves, how they stand up against President Trump.
Donald Trump is so bad, and they are so good.
But then, President Trump supports protesters - in Iran.
Protesters who face much more potential trouble than anyone upset with Trump's actions here.
Will anti-Trump protesters back the Iranian protests - thus lining up with Trump supporting true freedom for the truly oppressed?

A mixture of Siracha sauce and glitter

Dave Barry nails the year that was 2017.
Enjoy it in the original Russian.

Let's get going

The calendar has flipped to 2018.
President Trump and Republicans have a full year to get things done.
Then elections loom in November.
Time to use the spark of tax cuts to get the country going in the right direction.