For two more weeks, the Baltimore Ravens are the last Super Bowl champion.
A game your team wins is the best Super Bowl.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
View it with the other debtors
John Kass encourages you to see "Lone Survivor" at the theater - not waiting for the DVD release.
I suppose you can wait to see it at home when it comes out on cable. You can tell yourself that your big screen and sound system can faithfully reproduce the theater experience. But it can't reproduce this:
At the end, with the photos of the fallen up there, you turn. Just then some other theater patron looks up and catches your eye. You notice each other, strangers in the movie-house darkness, and there is a mutual recognition of a debt.
We owe them.
I suppose you can wait to see it at home when it comes out on cable. You can tell yourself that your big screen and sound system can faithfully reproduce the theater experience. But it can't reproduce this:
At the end, with the photos of the fallen up there, you turn. Just then some other theater patron looks up and catches your eye. You notice each other, strangers in the movie-house darkness, and there is a mutual recognition of a debt.
We owe them.
Last day of real football
If you enjoy the NFL, this is your last best chance to get action before the long offseason.
After today's two games, you have the Pro Bowl - an exhibition.
Then it's the Super Bowl - maybe a good game, but mostly a day for commercials, parties and over-analysis of everything going on.
Enjoy the action today.
There's a little more conservation and a lot less action in two weeks.
After today's two games, you have the Pro Bowl - an exhibition.
Then it's the Super Bowl - maybe a good game, but mostly a day for commercials, parties and over-analysis of everything going on.
Enjoy the action today.
There's a little more conservation and a lot less action in two weeks.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Water under the bridge
Don Surber has ideas about preventing the next water disaster - follow the laws already passed.
Had public officials listened, Freedom Industries would have had to do more than simply tell the state that it was storing thousands of gallons of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol and other chemicals; the company also would have had to have an emergency plan in case of a leak or other calamity.
Not only that, but state and county emergency planners would have had to review the plan to make sure it made sense.
Instead, the company filed some paperwork that the bureaucrats filed away someplace in the bowels of state government to give the appearance of concern about safety. Eleven months later, more than 300,000 West Virginians were lining up at the high school for a case of bottled water like Sudanese refugees.
Had public officials listened, Freedom Industries would have had to do more than simply tell the state that it was storing thousands of gallons of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol and other chemicals; the company also would have had to have an emergency plan in case of a leak or other calamity.
Not only that, but state and county emergency planners would have had to review the plan to make sure it made sense.
Instead, the company filed some paperwork that the bureaucrats filed away someplace in the bowels of state government to give the appearance of concern about safety. Eleven months later, more than 300,000 West Virginians were lining up at the high school for a case of bottled water like Sudanese refugees.
What if this is as good as it gets
Obamacare enrollment for 2014 continues through March 31.
Just over two million signed through the exchanges by December 31 to have coverage start with the new year.
With such low numbers, the assumption has been more will sign up before the March deadline.
Why?
If you wanted insurance for 2014, you bought or tried to buy already.
Why wait a few months to buy?
Unless you desperately need health insurance, you can take your chances.
Just like you've done for years.
You can offer health insurance, but you can't make people buy - even with the threat of a tax penalty.
Just over two million signed through the exchanges by December 31 to have coverage start with the new year.
With such low numbers, the assumption has been more will sign up before the March deadline.
Why?
If you wanted insurance for 2014, you bought or tried to buy already.
Why wait a few months to buy?
Unless you desperately need health insurance, you can take your chances.
Just like you've done for years.
You can offer health insurance, but you can't make people buy - even with the threat of a tax penalty.
Facebook quote of the week
QUICK: If you got a bad night's sleep and are looking to catch up on some zzzz's, ESPN is airing Belichick news conference right now
How Harry broke Washington
Powerline gives space for Alabama Senator Jeff Session's speech on the trouble with the Senate.
The erosion of the Senate has also been front and center in the budgeting process. We are now in our fifth year without adopting a congressional budget resolution. Instead, taxpayer dollars are spent through a series of backroom deals and last-minute negotiations. Then we face a massive omnibus that is rushed to passage without amendment or meaningful review. The American people have no real ability to know what’s in it or hold us, their elected representatives, accountable. This, of course, is the reason it is done this way.
The erosion of the Senate has also been front and center in the budgeting process. We are now in our fifth year without adopting a congressional budget resolution. Instead, taxpayer dollars are spent through a series of backroom deals and last-minute negotiations. Then we face a massive omnibus that is rushed to passage without amendment or meaningful review. The American people have no real ability to know what’s in it or hold us, their elected representatives, accountable. This, of course, is the reason it is done this way.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Stopping Hillary
Bill Kristol sees the Time cover story and says "Stop."
Why should she run?
To be the first woman president.
And?
And?
And?
Crickets.
She can remember her electoral past.
The easiest way Hillary can be stopped is if she stops herself. She can choose not to run. Indeed, Time reports “on good authority” that “Hillary Clinton has not decided whether to run for president again.” There is a reasonable chance she’ll decide not to. She’s an intelligent woman. She remembers that her last experience of running for president wasn’t fun and didn’t end well.
I think she decision depends on the Senate races in 2014. If Republicans gain control of the chamber, the next two years will be no fun for President Obama.
And no boost to anybody from his party going into 2016.
Besides, she could have been the first woman president in 2009.
That bit of history didn't entice Democrats then.
Why should she run?
To be the first woman president.
And?
And?
And?
Crickets.
She can remember her electoral past.
The easiest way Hillary can be stopped is if she stops herself. She can choose not to run. Indeed, Time reports “on good authority” that “Hillary Clinton has not decided whether to run for president again.” There is a reasonable chance she’ll decide not to. She’s an intelligent woman. She remembers that her last experience of running for president wasn’t fun and didn’t end well.
I think she decision depends on the Senate races in 2014. If Republicans gain control of the chamber, the next two years will be no fun for President Obama.
And no boost to anybody from his party going into 2016.
Besides, she could have been the first woman president in 2009.
That bit of history didn't entice Democrats then.
Weekend watchdog - Who's going to Super Bowl XLVIII?
This weekend, two teams will advance to a contest in the possibly frozen New Jersey swamps.
Players from the other two teams can head to Hawaii for a fun finale.
Is the trophy worth it?
The combatants in Super Bowl XLVIII at the Meadowlands will be decided Sunday. The winners will be checking the long-range forecast Sunday night.
CBS has the first contest, matching Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the AFC championship at 3 p.m. The last time these two met for a trip to the Super Bowl, Manning and the Colts advanced to Super Bowl XLI. Will Manning get a chance to win his second Super Bowl at baby brother Eli's stadium, two years after Eli won his second crown in Indianapolis before heading west?
It's been nine years since Brady and the Patriots lofted the Lombardi Trophy. They twice lost to the Giants in the big game, and fell to the Ravens in last year's AFC championship game.
Fox has the NFC championship between Seattle and San Francisco at 6:30 p.m. in the home of the 12th man. The teams split their contests in 2013, but the Seahawks dominated at home in Week 2. San Francisco has five Super Bowl titles and came up just short against the Ravens last season.
Seattle has made one trip to the big game, losing to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL in Detroit.
In the college ranks, the NFLPA all-star game will be on ESPN2 Saturday at 6 p.m. NFL Network has the East-West Shrine game Saturday at 4 p.m.
The Australian Open continues on ESPN2 Friday at 9 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday action from the round of 16 at 9 p.m.
The Clippers face the Knicks on ESPN Friday at 7 p.m., followed by Golden State at Oklahoma City. The Wizards host Chicago Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast and Pistons Saturday at 7 p.m.
Virginia takes on Florida State on the ACC network Saturday at noon and Wake Forest goes to Clemson at 4 p.m.
CBS offers a trio of contests Saturday. Tennessee takes on Kentucky at noon, followed by North Carolina State against Duke and Oklahoma State facing Kansas at 4 p.m.
Saturday's action on ESPN starts at noon when Boston College meets North Carolina. It's Oklahoma against Baylor at 2 p.m., and former Big East foes take their rivalry to the ACC as Pittsburgh heads to Syracuse, followed by Michigan-Wisconsin. Louisville faces Connecticut at 9 p.m.
There's three games on ESPN2 Saturday, starting at noon with Temple-LaSalle. Alabama takes on Missouri before Indiana State heads to Wichita State at 4 p.m.
The slate of five games Saturday on FoxSports1 starts at noon with Seton Hall at Georgetown. It's off to the Pac 12 for Southern Cal against Colorado and UCLA-Utah, then Dartmouth travels to St. John's at 6 p.m. Creighton faces Providence at 8 p.m.
There's three games on Comcast Saturday. The day starts in the CAA with Delaware-Northeastern at noon, followed by Miami's trip to Georgia Tech and James Madison against William & Mary at 4 p.m.
MASN brings West Virginia's visits to Kansas State Saturday at 1:30 p.m., followed by Iowa State-Texas. It's off to the Big South at 7 p.m. for Liberty hosting High Point.
MASN2 has Texas Tech-TCU Saturday at 6 p.m.
There's A-10 action on NBC Sports network Saturday, as George Mason battles Rhode Island at 12:30 p.m. before Fordham faces St. Louis. Towson travels to College of Charleston Sunday at 3 p.m.
There's a pair of ACC women's games Sunday on Comcast. Virginia Tech hosts Duke at noon before North Carolina State meets Miami.
ESPN2 has a doubleheader Sunday, with Connecticut-Rutgers at 3 p.m. before Penn State heads to Michigan State. On FoxSports 1, Villanova takes on DePaul Sunday at 3 p.m.
NBC Sports network has the Capitals against Rangers Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The Blackhawks face the Bruins Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC.
On the college rink, Lake Superior State meets Notre Dame Friday at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
Liverpool takes on Aston Villa in Premier League play Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC. Sunderland faces Southampton Saturday at 7:45 a.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by Arsenal-Fulham. Sunday, it's Swansea City against Tottenham Hotspur at 8:30 a.m. before Manchester United meets Chelsea.
NBC Sports network has freestyle skiing Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Players from the other two teams can head to Hawaii for a fun finale.
Is the trophy worth it?
The combatants in Super Bowl XLVIII at the Meadowlands will be decided Sunday. The winners will be checking the long-range forecast Sunday night.
CBS has the first contest, matching Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the AFC championship at 3 p.m. The last time these two met for a trip to the Super Bowl, Manning and the Colts advanced to Super Bowl XLI. Will Manning get a chance to win his second Super Bowl at baby brother Eli's stadium, two years after Eli won his second crown in Indianapolis before heading west?
It's been nine years since Brady and the Patriots lofted the Lombardi Trophy. They twice lost to the Giants in the big game, and fell to the Ravens in last year's AFC championship game.
Fox has the NFC championship between Seattle and San Francisco at 6:30 p.m. in the home of the 12th man. The teams split their contests in 2013, but the Seahawks dominated at home in Week 2. San Francisco has five Super Bowl titles and came up just short against the Ravens last season.
Seattle has made one trip to the big game, losing to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL in Detroit.
In the college ranks, the NFLPA all-star game will be on ESPN2 Saturday at 6 p.m. NFL Network has the East-West Shrine game Saturday at 4 p.m.
The Australian Open continues on ESPN2 Friday at 9 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday action from the round of 16 at 9 p.m.
The Clippers face the Knicks on ESPN Friday at 7 p.m., followed by Golden State at Oklahoma City. The Wizards host Chicago Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast and Pistons Saturday at 7 p.m.
Virginia takes on Florida State on the ACC network Saturday at noon and Wake Forest goes to Clemson at 4 p.m.
CBS offers a trio of contests Saturday. Tennessee takes on Kentucky at noon, followed by North Carolina State against Duke and Oklahoma State facing Kansas at 4 p.m.
Saturday's action on ESPN starts at noon when Boston College meets North Carolina. It's Oklahoma against Baylor at 2 p.m., and former Big East foes take their rivalry to the ACC as Pittsburgh heads to Syracuse, followed by Michigan-Wisconsin. Louisville faces Connecticut at 9 p.m.
There's three games on ESPN2 Saturday, starting at noon with Temple-LaSalle. Alabama takes on Missouri before Indiana State heads to Wichita State at 4 p.m.
The slate of five games Saturday on FoxSports1 starts at noon with Seton Hall at Georgetown. It's off to the Pac 12 for Southern Cal against Colorado and UCLA-Utah, then Dartmouth travels to St. John's at 6 p.m. Creighton faces Providence at 8 p.m.
There's three games on Comcast Saturday. The day starts in the CAA with Delaware-Northeastern at noon, followed by Miami's trip to Georgia Tech and James Madison against William & Mary at 4 p.m.
MASN brings West Virginia's visits to Kansas State Saturday at 1:30 p.m., followed by Iowa State-Texas. It's off to the Big South at 7 p.m. for Liberty hosting High Point.
MASN2 has Texas Tech-TCU Saturday at 6 p.m.
There's A-10 action on NBC Sports network Saturday, as George Mason battles Rhode Island at 12:30 p.m. before Fordham faces St. Louis. Towson travels to College of Charleston Sunday at 3 p.m.
There's a pair of ACC women's games Sunday on Comcast. Virginia Tech hosts Duke at noon before North Carolina State meets Miami.
ESPN2 has a doubleheader Sunday, with Connecticut-Rutgers at 3 p.m. before Penn State heads to Michigan State. On FoxSports 1, Villanova takes on DePaul Sunday at 3 p.m.
NBC Sports network has the Capitals against Rangers Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The Blackhawks face the Bruins Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC.
On the college rink, Lake Superior State meets Notre Dame Friday at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
Liverpool takes on Aston Villa in Premier League play Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC. Sunderland faces Southampton Saturday at 7:45 a.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by Arsenal-Fulham. Sunday, it's Swansea City against Tottenham Hotspur at 8:30 a.m. before Manchester United meets Chelsea.
NBC Sports network has freestyle skiing Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Back to the island
The passing of Russell Johnson, the Professor from Gilligan's Island, presents the opportunity to remember his fellow castaways - Ginger and Mary Ann.
Farewell, Professor
Today brings the sad news of the death of Russell Johnson, the professor from Gilligan's Island.
We spent many afternoons enjoying reruns of the show in the early 70s.
We spent many afternoons enjoying reruns of the show in the early 70s.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Did you watch?
The new season of Duck Dynasty started Wednesday.
It ended with a prayer, a party and Si enjoying "Air Bud."
Join the crowd, and watch the Duck crew.
It ended with a prayer, a party and Si enjoying "Air Bud."
Join the crowd, and watch the Duck crew.
On the lookout
What weather will we get tonight?
Heading home from Staunton at 5 p.m., a lone VDOT truck loaded with chemicals waited just off I-81.
Hoping he sits there for a long time.
Heading home from Staunton at 5 p.m., a lone VDOT truck loaded with chemicals waited just off I-81.
Hoping he sits there for a long time.
Improving the Virginia delegation
It appears Rep. Jim Moran will announce he won't run for election in 2014.
Maybe there's hope for the new year.
Maybe there's hope for the new year.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Today's Tied with me
Technorati has this blog tied with Bay Area Sports Guy, who checks out the sideline action during Sunday's 49ers win.
Obamacare. We need more suckers
What numbers matter in the mix of keeping insurance afloat in Obamacare?
The mix of old/young?
Or the mix of healthy/sick?
If you have people who use more insurance services than they pay for, you need more people who pay but don't use that much service.
Just in case it's needed.
Pay up, healthy people, and the insurance companies will feel better.
The mix of old/young?
Or the mix of healthy/sick?
If you have people who use more insurance services than they pay for, you need more people who pay but don't use that much service.
Just in case it's needed.
Pay up, healthy people, and the insurance companies will feel better.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Scandal? Did you mean IRS scandal?
DaTech Guy liked Gov. Guiliani's aggressive talk about the IRS scandal on the Sunday shows.
Since he saw that as the best strategy a few days earlier.
They should POUND this there should be no answer that comes out of their lips that doesn’t use the words “IRS Scandal” and “Bridge Scandal” in the same sentence. Every article written on it by any conservative source should mention it, contrast it play on the difference in media interest between the pair.
If you haven't heard of the IRS troubles before, time to catch up with the rest of us.
Since he saw that as the best strategy a few days earlier.
They should POUND this there should be no answer that comes out of their lips that doesn’t use the words “IRS Scandal” and “Bridge Scandal” in the same sentence. Every article written on it by any conservative source should mention it, contrast it play on the difference in media interest between the pair.
If you haven't heard of the IRS troubles before, time to catch up with the rest of us.
Chaos and change
The words "chaos" and "change" reside near each other in the dictionary.
President Obama promised change with our healthcare.
His policy instead brings chaos.
President Obama promised change with our healthcare.
His policy instead brings chaos.
Ready for the super interview
Just three weeks until the Super Bowl.
Which will be on Fox.
Wonder who gets to interview President Obama for the pregame?
How about Megyn Kelly?
Which will be on Fox.
Wonder who gets to interview President Obama for the pregame?
How about Megyn Kelly?
Bringing down the dome
Powerline remembers the legal maneuvers to the opening of the Metrodome, which is about to come down.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
The streak is over
A unique NFL streak ended officially Sunday.
The past four Super Bowl winners all faced Philadelphia in the Eagles' home opener the year they won it all.
San Diego had the honor this year, but lost to Denver in the divisional round.
The past four Super Bowl winners all faced Philadelphia in the Eagles' home opener the year they won it all.
San Diego had the honor this year, but lost to Denver in the divisional round.
If you trash Obama, people will buy
Maryland Senator Ben Cardin tried to explain why Robert Gates had bad things to say about President Obama's leadership.
“I think its unfortunate that we see it in a book, it looks like in an effort to make the book more popular on the newsstands.”
It's like he thinks people will pay to read bad things about Obama.
If only the mainstream media understood that.
“I think its unfortunate that we see it in a book, it looks like in an effort to make the book more popular on the newsstands.”
It's like he thinks people will pay to read bad things about Obama.
If only the mainstream media understood that.
For the Birds
It's the 60th anniversary of the Orioles coming to Baltimore.
You can check out 60 years of media guides here.
Lots of good memories from the past.
You can check out 60 years of media guides here.
Lots of good memories from the past.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Obama's OK. The rest are jerks
The Wall Street Journal has an excerpt of Robert Gates' new book on his time as Defense Secretary.
There's plenty of trashing of White House staff.
There's praise for Obama's 2009 decision to add troops in Afghanistan.
Why?
When I met privately with him in the Oval Office a week later, he grinned broadly, stuck out his hand to shake over the bowl of apples on his coffee table and said, "You have the solution?" I told him I had thought about his call a lot and had prepared a memo for him offering my thoughts. Ultimately, one of the pivotal decisions of Obama's presidency largely tracked the recommendations in that paper.
Obama took Gates' advice.
A good reason to back him.
Even if he has surrounded himself with politically-focused jerks.
There's plenty of trashing of White House staff.
There's praise for Obama's 2009 decision to add troops in Afghanistan.
Why?
When I met privately with him in the Oval Office a week later, he grinned broadly, stuck out his hand to shake over the bowl of apples on his coffee table and said, "You have the solution?" I told him I had thought about his call a lot and had prepared a memo for him offering my thoughts. Ultimately, one of the pivotal decisions of Obama's presidency largely tracked the recommendations in that paper.
Obama took Gates' advice.
A good reason to back him.
Even if he has surrounded himself with politically-focused jerks.
Trouble in any language
Via Instapundit, word of changes to the website of Rep. Bob Goodlatte.
Throughout 2012 and much of 2013, the Virginia Republican’s House “Immigration Reform” page denounced “amnesty.” As late as April 2013, it said “we must not grant amnesty to individuals who have broken our laws.”
Now, though, this prohibition has been scrubbed from his “Immigration Reform” page. Instead, this page now talks about how “we can all agree that our nation’s immigration system is broken” and the need to be thoughtful in remaking U.S. immigration policies. Earlier versions of this page had an almost single-minded focus on the need to enforce immigration laws. The notion that our immigration system is “broken” is often a key argument of allies of the White House’s immigration agenda.
What?
or
Que?
I'd add the other ?, but my keyboard doesn't have that.
Throughout 2012 and much of 2013, the Virginia Republican’s House “Immigration Reform” page denounced “amnesty.” As late as April 2013, it said “we must not grant amnesty to individuals who have broken our laws.”
Now, though, this prohibition has been scrubbed from his “Immigration Reform” page. Instead, this page now talks about how “we can all agree that our nation’s immigration system is broken” and the need to be thoughtful in remaking U.S. immigration policies. Earlier versions of this page had an almost single-minded focus on the need to enforce immigration laws. The notion that our immigration system is “broken” is often a key argument of allies of the White House’s immigration agenda.
What?
or
Que?
I'd add the other ?, but my keyboard doesn't have that.
Facebook quote of the week
more and more I'm liking the NSA and CIA wiretapping... They seem to be the only agencies in our government that actually listens to the people.
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