Promissory Estoppel, Forum Non Convieniens, and Duty

Did you know that law school is just a crazy mix of elementary school and middle school. You have all your classes with the same people, you have lockers, and there is a clique that thinks they are too cool for everyone else, and you can't help laughing every thing someone says "duty" even if its the 1,000th time that week. It is pretty unbelievable how quickly you can revert back into that childish state that you thought you'd lost forever.

This is a standard day in law school exam world. Wake up at 10, call the other folks in your study group and tell them "t minus 1 hour" and get in the shower. Stand there under the water until you can get the sleeping pills out of your blood (usually about 20 minutes). Once you finally get out, dressed, and ready to work, its 11, and you know that reality, your group won't show up until at least 11:30. So, 11:30 rolls around, you sit down at the table and look at all the things you need to read, discuss, and take notes on. Its about this time that someone mentions that we haven't eaten yet. So, then you spend the next 30-45 minutes discussing where to eat, which goes something like this:

Jonathan: Alright, well, I've been telling us where to eat for the last two weeks, I'm just along for the ride
Tara: But we're at your house, so, you should choose
Aaron: I don't really care
Jonathan: I don't really care either
Tara: well, I'm not making a decision for the group
David: I'm going to make myself a sandwich
Jonathan: Damnit, alright, lets go to Honkey Barrel...
Aaron: Hell yeah
Tara: Ew...
Jonathan: Alright Tara, then were?
Tara: I don't care, but not that
Aaron: I don't care either
Jonathan: Alright, we're going to Wendy's...AGAIN!
Aaron: Hell Yeah
Tara: Alright
David: This peanut butter sandwich is good...

That is the process...waste of time? Hardly, its a warm up for the battle of semantics that is awaiting us when we get back. So, we go and eat, then we get home, and finally get to work. Mind you its now 1:30...We will then study from 1:30 to about 8:30, basically going through the book, 1 chapter at a time, discussing each case we read, pulling the important concept out of it, and trying to apply it to whatever absurd hypothetical situation we can create. This inevitably leads to a 10 minute breakdown where we laugh about the word "duty."

By 8:30, its time to eat again, and, I'll spare you the discussion, but needless to say we end up back at Wendy's. So we come home, its almost 9:30, and we still have a good chunk we want to get done. So, we work, from 9:30 to about 12:00. Again, there will be some "duty" and then we will stop to watch Charlie the Unicorn (if you are not privy to this cartoon, I recommend you immediately stop reading this column and watch this... http://newgrounds.com/portal/view/280260 take a look at the "watch the movie" link on the right, in the middle...)

So, by midnight, it is time to go to bed. Do you have any idea how hard it is to shut off your brain when you spend the better part of the last 12 hours debating the merits of Promissory Estoppel? It doesn't work. So, you take your Unisom, and you wait for sleep...It comes, eventually. Let me tell you this, there is nothing more unsettling than a dream about service of process in improper venues...That is not restful sleep. So when it comes to 10am, all you can think is, "I don't care how much I'll make when this is all over, I can't get out of this bed again..." But that is nothing that 20 minutes under the shower won't fix.

Just remember, no matter how high the degree your seeking is, there is always time to discuss the merits of duty.

stay tuned...

Lets start over...

I am going to get back to writing today...its been a very long time, and I want to scrap my prior posts, and start fresh. It is still about Sports, Politics, and the American dream, but it is also about law school, which is the pursuit of two of the three (not the NBA jump shot I assure you). So, The format will change, but the title will still hold true (not like Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and their shift from detectives to nothings)...So, check your local listings and as always...Stay tuned!

Stay Tuned...

Whew, its been a while!

Alright, its been a long time...lets see what has happened since April 11th...

**The Grizzlies made the playoffs, holding off the Timberwolves the last two weeks of the season!!

SHIT, the Grizzlies got swept out of the playoffs AGAIN! Damn Phoenix Suns...

**The Braves started the season with great pitching and poor hitting...

Now they are in first place in the NL east (by 1.5 games) and the hitting is solid, but the bullpen is giving up a lot of games...

**The Tennessee Titans, with the 6th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft select Adam "Pac Man" Jones, CB, West Virginia...Fantastic.

The Titans also cut all of their veteran talent, and will be among the youngest teams in the league next year

**Brodie Croyle looks healthy enough to lead the Tide to a championship this year...We will see how long that last

Ken Darby had to have major surgery on his hip to repair a "Sports Hernia"

**Richard Hendrix decided to skip on the NBA draft and come to the Capstone to play basketball with Chuck D and co.

Kennedy Winston took the "Rod Grizzard, Road traveled to often" course, and will be featured in Mobile with the NBDL...

That catches you up on my Sports teams...In a little while I'll update my politics...

Grizzlies @ Dallas 7:30 pm Central

Game Time!!!

1...

1 Memphis win...

1 Minnesota loss...

Playoffs, part II...

A surging Memphis team will try to tame the Dallas Mavericks on the road tonight, where the team has not won since November 2000 (while still in Vancouver). A Memphis win will clinch the playoff spot for the Grizzlies. At this moment, they hold a 4 1/2 game lead over the Timberwolves, with 6 games to play. The T-wolves are idle until Wednesday.

The Grizzlies have been playing well the last three games, with big wins over the Heat, Raptors, and Bobcats to be winners of 5 of the last 6, and three straight. Dallas will be at full strength, as the Grizzlies hope to get James Posey back tonight, or Wednesday @ Houston.

Dallas won the first two meetings between the teams, who will also play on 4/20 to end the regular season.

Battier led the Grizz yesterday against Charlotte, with 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Mike Miller chipped in 21. Dirk led Dallas to a win Saturday against Utah with 24 points and 9 boards. Dallas is 10-2 under new head coach Avery Johnson, who took over for Don Nelson last month.

Should be a good one, and the Grizzlies would love to clinch here, or in Houston.

Let's Go Grizzlies!



Stay Tuned...

Say Goodnight Tommy

Q: What do these three have in common with Tom DeLay...

A: Nothing Yet...but give it a month!

Looks like yet another Republican congressional leader is headed for banishment. We've seen power-houses like Newt, and our good friend Lott from Mississippi go the way of the Dodo, and now it seems as though Tom "Ethics" DeLay is on his way out.

You know things are bad for you when your #3 (Rick Santorum) goes on National TV and says you've got some serious questions to address to the public. Top that off with R - Rep. Chris Shays saying it's time for new leadership in the interest "of Republicans seeking election" and you've got yourself quite a mess Mr. DeLay.

That being said, if anyone in that senate knows how to wiggle out of a tight spot, avoid tough questions, and generally avoid being held accountable, its Tom DeLay (which consequently, has made him a PERFECT leader for a party that specializes in those same activities).

Everyone is shying away from DeLay...President Bush wouldn't support his comments on the Judicial System, Bill Frist has kept his distance (as to not hurt his GOP Presidential bid...), and



**By the way** This Week with George Stephanopoulos has apparently become the forefront of interview shows...It seems as though almost every significant public statement made in the last 6 weeks has been made to Mr. Stephanopoulos on ABC's Sunday Morning Show...What happened to Meet the Press?

Stay Tuned...

NCAA Tournament 5 Final 4's

I have completed 5 brackets on ESPN. com, and for your viewing pleasure, here are my Final 4s:

1. Duke Wins

Illini beats Wake Forest
Duke beats UNC

Duke beats Illini 70-78

2. The Illini Win

Illini beats Louisville
UNC beats Duke

Illini beats UNC 72-66

3. UNC Wins

Illini beats Louisvile
UNC beats Duke

UNC beats Illini 76-75

4. Utah Wins (Bogut is a stud)

Illini beats Louisville

Utah beats UNC

Utah beats Illini 72-70

5. Alabama Wins (I had to do it)

Alabama beats Wake Forest
Duke beats Florida

Alabama beats Duke 75-70



Stay Tuned...

Coming soon:

Preview the SEC Tournament, Conf USA Tournament, and Grizzlies @ Utah (Thursday)


Stay Tuned...

Getting Caught Up: The Crimson Tide

After the heart-breaking loss at LSU last week, Alabama looked to come back strong with a win over #4 Kentucky. When they sprinted out to a 13 point first half lead, I looked at my fraternity brother, Zach Milner, and told him, "We're going to lose this game, you don't put UK in a hole like that this early, unless you blow them out..." Sure enough, by halftime, it was down to a 7 point lead. Then UK got their spark, or Sparks, I should say. This kid was unbelievable. He hit 7 3-pointers in the 2nd half. I started to say, wow, that kid just shot us out of the game, but then, I saw some highlights. What I realize now is that every open look he had, Earnest Shelton was struggling through a screen, or around a corner and was late getting a hand in Sparks' face.

So, a 2-game losing streak, and I know just the thing to cure that...AUBURN!

The Tigers are AWFUL this year, they don't have a big man on their roster, and they don't have any real shooters either. Long story short, Alabama BLOWS THEM OUT of Coleman, 94-53. With LSU winning in Oxford at the same time, Alabama will have a chance for the outright SEC West title, and the No. 2 spot in the SEC tournament with a win Saturday @ Mississippi State.
Shelton and Winston had 24 last night, and if they can shoot in Starkvegas, the Tide can roll to a WEST title, and get primed for a deep run into the tournament. ESPN "Braketology" currently places the Tide @ 5th, with a 32 matchup with Syracuse, and a 16 matchup with Illinois. A big win to bump us to a 4 would be great, and the signature road win we've been missing this year could be taken Saturday.

Stay Tuned...

Alabama @ Mississippi State priview tomorrow (after my 1:30 Fantasy Baseball Live Draft)

Grizzlies v. Wizards 6 p.m. (FSN)

Versus

The Grizzlies (30-23) hope to welcome back James Posey to the line-up after a few weeks on the IL with a strained Achilles, however the comeback will be bittersweet, as his activation just makes room for Stromile Swift to find a seat behind the bench nursing a "severely Sprained Ankle" according to the Commercial Appeal.

Washington (30-22) last three straight going into the break, and hold the 5th-seed in the East (.5 game behind Cleveland for the 4), as the Grizzlies will try to shake off two straight losses on the road against Eastern Conference Playoff teams. Both losses came down to a last second shot that Mike Miller missed both times.

Washington looks to make the playoffs after a ten year (YES, 10, even with MJ) absence, and make a push for home-court advantage. The Grizzlies are really just trying to hold on to the 7th seed in the west long enough to get Gasol back on the court, hopefully in time to make a push into the 5 or 6 spot (to avoid the Spurs).

The Grizzlies will look to build on the .5 game the Rockets gave them by losing to Seattle last night, and get back within a 1/2 game of the 6th spot. Hopefully the kings will continue their slide, and allow us to sneak up even further.

Very good article on ESPN.com today by Chad Ford, primarily dealing with the new NBA Collective bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is set to expire in June (which could lead to a work-stoppage). Worth a read if you have time.

Washington is favored 3 points at home. I am going to quit making guesses, since I seem to be bad luck...

I hope to get back to some political writing soon, just been swamped with paperwork at BDBCB.

Stay Tuned...

Alabama v. LSU Postgame...

Heartbreak...

What else can you say? I was all over the map last night. The game starts, and I'm optimistic, then, 5 minutes in, I'm looking to see what movies are on. By the time halftime came around, I was cautiously confident. When the ESPN crew said we came out of the locker room chanting about not letting an opportunity slip by, I was fired up.

When LSU started to pull away with 6 minutes to play, I told Robyn we were going to lose. Then Jean Felix made magic, and when Kennedy hit the 3 to Tie the game with 12 seconds left, I knew we were done. I couldn't believe they didn't take the last time out when the 3-pointer fell. As Brandon Bass drove and threw up a prayer, I gasped...HE MISSED IT, HE MISS...oh fuck. Who the hell is Ross Neltner!

Kennedy said it best "They really didn't know what they wanted to do, so Bass threw up the shot and missed it, All of the sudden this dude came out of nowhere."

Just that fast, the Alabama season went from "the sky's the limit" to "we need to win out to win the SEC WEST".

You knew early that things weren't good for our guys. It seemed like they were thinking about the Wildcats, and not the Tigers. We got out rebounded, by almost 20! We missed free throws down the stretch, we shot horribly from 3-point range (yes, you Earnest), and Toward the end of the second half, our guys looked afraid to go into the paint. The last thing we needed was Chuck Davis taking a 16 footer in the last two minutes while we are behind 4 points.

Now we look at this Kentucky game as real test of what we can do in the Tournament. If we can come out and play with intensity, get the three-headed monster of Chuck D, Shelton, and Winston firing on all cylinders, and REBOUND (*cough cough* Jermareo *cough cough*) we can put ourselves into a 3-seed for the dance, and maybe buy a bye in the SEC tournament.

ROLL TIDE!

Stay Tuned...

Alabama v. LSU 8p.m. ESPN

Versus

Alabama can wrap up the SEC Western Division title with a win at the Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge tonight. The game will be televised Nationally on ESPN, and will feature two of the SEC's hottest players in Kennedy Winston, and Brandon Bass.

Bass, the 6-8 Sophomore forward has been on a tear lately, averaging 24 points and 11 rebounds last week in wins versus Miss St. and Florida. The Tigers are also on a surge with the emergence of Freshman C/F Glen Davis, who has posted 3 double-doubles in the last 6 games, and has really helped LSU put together some defensive toughness.

The Tide is coming of a great week, with wins over South Carolina and Ole Miss, but must be careful not to look ahead to Saturdays matchup with Kentucky, as a loss tonight would put LSU 1-game back of the Tide for first place, and the schedules favor LSU for the last two weeks. The Tide has games with LSU, Kentucky, Auburn, and then @ Mississippi State, while LSU gets Alabama tonight, then Ole Miss, Vandy, and Auburn.

Steele had a great game last time the Tigers met the Tide in January, a 73-58 win in Tuscaloosa. He will have to interrupt the flow of the LSU offense again tonight, if the Tide is going to neutralize the Tigers home floor.

ROLL TIDE!!

Stay Tuned...

Alabama v. South Carolina 3 p.m.

Versus



Game will be shown regionally on JP sports @ 3pm central.

South Carolina recently knocked off #3 Kentucky (who will come to Coleman next Saturday), and are looking for a big road win to help solidify an NCAA tournament bid.

Will Albert Weber be back? Will Chuck Davis be healthy? Will Alabama take care of business, and not start thinking ahead to Auburn, LSU, or Miss St.?

The questions are endless, but the game will not be. We will have a winner this time tomorrow.

Stay Tuned...

Deficit, Smeficit....

Cheney, the man, the myth, the legend, the president...

"Paul O'Neill said he tried to warn Vice President Dick Cheney that growing budget deficits-expected to top $500 billion this fiscal year alone-posed a threat to the economy. Cheney cut him off. "You know, Paul, Reagan proved deficits don't matter," he said, according to excerpts. Cheney continued: "We won the midterms (congressional elections). This is our due." A month later, Cheney told the Treasury secretary he was fired." -- ontheissues.com

"Deficits don't matter" the man says. He is the guru of finances. If you look at his tenure at Halliburton, you can see that the largest financial fall off in the history of that company ( was under the careful guidance of one Richard Cheney. We will call him Dick. Dick, has a history of disregarding frivolous issues like facts and research and expert opinion. You can't blame Dick though, that's what Dick's do. They act without reason, logic, or thought of consequence.

The good news is this, in the dawn of a new term (hang on, i need to go regain my composure), we can count on more of the same from the Bush administration. After making pledges to 1/2 the deficit by 2009, Mr. Bush put forth a Budget that is going to bring about the largest federal deficit in American History! While as %GDP goes, the Deficit is not at a critical level just yet, we are well on our way. The only saving grace right now is the high rate of growth the country is experiencing (which unfortunately is due to the WEAKNESS of the dollar, so, its only such a blessing). Thanks to The Weekly Standard for information used here.

The conservatives, and therefore the Republicans used to be the party of fiscal responsibility, small government, but now, they are big deficit spenders who feel that it is Governments role to tell the American people who they can marry, if they can abort a baby, and g-d knows what else down the line.

But as Dick Cheney always says..."Fuck You," and so we just have to watch in horror.

SPAD's Sign of the apocalypse:



Homicidal/Suicidal/Alcoholic Kermit the Frog for auction on eBay...*The asking price is at a very reasonable $27 USD, the post reads roughly as follows:

"First off, Kermit has a very bad temper. Don't cross him when he gets the "look" in his eye. He also enjoys knife throwing as a hobby. This "art of death" as he likes to call it could prove deadly if he gets in one of his moods. We have tried to put him on some sort of med's. We were given one prescription and we caught him cheeking them and spitting them out in the trash. After the second visit with the doctor, Kermit threatened to bite his ear off and we haven't gone back since, they have refused to treat him."

*special thanks go out to moof for finding this treasure


Stay Tuned...

MLB spring preview, with Fantasy notes still to come...

*By Popular Demand* Alabama v. Arkansas Postgame

You felt it when the buzzer went off at half time, the Hogs (what an awful mascot) had a 1 point lead at Alabama's home floor, and you knew the Tide was not going to watch their NCAA seed fall because of the Razorbacks. Sure enough, as the second half got underway, the Tide Defense solidified.

Alabama shot an outstanding 63% from the field in the second half to go along with limiting the Hogs to 13 field goals against 9 turnovers. The tide really stepped up, showed the ability to make halftime adjustments, and perhaps some of that toughness you need come March.

One point of concern, still no return of Albert Weber, and questions continue to be voiced about the "personal situation" he is tending to, and when or if he will return. The tide is only playing 7 guys right now, which is not going to help us when we need a bench in the Tournament.

Tide wins it: 72-63

Next Up: South Carolina visits Saturday @ Coleman Coliseum

ROLL TIDE!

Stay Tuned...

Grizzlies v. Boston Postgame

Deja Vu? I'll say...

Here we go, under 10 seconds to play, edge of your seat, The man with the hot hand has the ball, Mike Miller a chance to win/tie...BRICK!

Just like that, the Grizzlies go into the break hobbling and boasting a two game losing streak. Granted, both games were on the road, against Eastern Playoff Teams. Again the Grizzlies came up short in a last ditch effort to overcome poor shooting, and questionable defense. Giving up 90 points may not look like a bad night of defense, but the Celtics scored at will inside, racking up 30 some odd points in the paint.

Memphis shot just 26% from 3-point land, and Jason Williams was 2-9.

Again you could see the fatigue in the Grizzlies from the beginning, they desperately need Gasol and Posey to get healthy and get on the floor. The other major factor (especially in the first half) were the fouls! I know it is the result of smothering defense, but we had guys constantly in and out of the lineup with foul trouble the last three games. It's like the ref's will call ANY contact in the paint, and the most ridiculous hand-check fouls on screens. We had to resort to Earl and J-Will playing in the backcourt together most of the first half.

The Grizzlies go into the Break now with a 30-23 Record, and have to come out and play a schedule that has a combined opponent winning percent at .571. It won't be an easy road to the playoffs, but if we get healthy, its one we can travel.

Season Record (1-1-1)*

*starting 2/10

Lets cut the crap and get the State TV running...

Its hard to believe, in an era where information is so readily available (via the internet), that the White House would dare play these games with the American Public...

Everyone remembers back in late summer 2004, when it became obvious that Mr. Bush's "Ask President Bush" forums were as scripted as "The Simple Life 2" but the Media didn't ask the important question. "Why does Mr. Bush feel he has to sensor out questions from American voters?"

Well, I am begging the "Liberal Media" to ask these questions now. "Why is the White House paying people to pose as legitimate Media correspondents and having them ask one-sided questions meant only to further the Presidents agenda?" This latest guy, "Jeff Gannon" who is really James D. Guckert (formerly of Talon News) said in a press conference last month "How are you going to work with people who seem to have divorced themselves from reality?" When referring to Harry Reid and Hillary Clinton, who had the audacity to note that the economy was tanking.

Leave it to us Bloggers to do the job of the American Media, and uncover the truth about this fraud. I hate to say, but maybe the upstart of blogging will lead to some Media accountability, because they are being watched closer than ever.

6 people have now been identified as fraudulent media correspondents covering the White House agenda. 2 were paid by Department of Health and Human Services to promote "Marriage" initiatives. James Guckert, Armstrong Williams, Karen Ryan, and Alberto Garcia.

Let me say, before I get carried away on my next point, that the main source of my information is Frank Rich's article in the NYTimes today, as well as small pieces from, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Countdown, and The Blogging Community

Now, here is a gem...3 of these "journalist" are confirmed to have been paid through money laundered through a major PR firm named (get this) "Ketchum Communications"! This firm reportedly got almost 40% ($97 Million) of the $250 Million the government allocated for Public Relations. As Mr. Rich points out, Williams, Ryan, and Garcia could only account for a small fraction (.4 %) of that money, and I will be waiting with baited breath to find out where the rest of the money is being spent.

Fool me once...Shame on you, Fool me six times...Jesus! We have a problem!

SPAD's sign of the apocalypse:

Conservative America's continued "BLIND TRUST" of the Administration.

Contenders and Pretenders - 2008 Presidential Election

Lets look at the list of Potential Candidates:

Democrats:



John Edwards (Fmr. Sen - SC)
John Kerry (Sen. - Mass.)
Hillary Clinton (Sen. - NY)
Al Gore (Fmr. VP)
Tom Vilsack (Gov. - IA)
Russ Feingold (Sen. - WI)
Evan Bayh (Sen. - IN)
Joe Biden (Sen. - DE)
Phil Bresden (Gov. TN)
Bob Kerrey (Sen. - NE)
Bill Nelson (Sen. - FL)
Barbra Boxer (Sen. - CA)
Nancy Pelosi (Rep. - CA)
Bill Cosby (Jell-o Pudding Spokesman, Ph. D)
Bill Richardson (Gov. - NM)
Mark Warner (Gov. - VA)

Republicans:





Rudy Gulliani (Fmr. Mayor of NYC)
John McCain (Sen - AZ)
Tim Pawlentry (Gov. - MN)
Bill Frist (Sen. - TN)
Jeb Bush (Gov. - FL)
Mike Huckabee (Gov. - AR)
Chuck Hagel (Sen. - NE)
Rick Santorum (Sen. - PA)
Bill Owens (Gov. - CO)
Condelezza Rice (Fmr. NSA, Sec of State)
Colin Powell (Fmr. Sec of State)
Arnold Schwartzenegar (Gov. - CA) *Constitutionally Banned
George Pataki (Gov. - NY)
Sean Hannity (Talking Head)
Mitt Romney (Gov. - MA) [FOR MOOF]

Next time I'll talk early favorites, Ideal tickets for each party, and Biography information. GOP first, then Democrats.


Stay Tuned...

Crimson Tide v. Arkansas 7 p.m. (2/16)

Versus




The 17th ranked Crimson Tide will play host to the Arkansas Razorbacks this evening in Coleman coliseum. The tide will attempt to build on a solid road victory against UT, and a home win against Ole Miss Saturday. With U of Kentucky losing in South Carolina last night, the Tide is looking at this as an opportunity to pick up a game in the SEC overall standings.

If that happens, and Alabama can defeat Kentucky next week in Tuscaloosa, Alabama will move into a Tie for the overall regular season championship in the SEC, with the tie breaker being in the Tide's favor with the head-to-head win.

A win would mean back-to-back 20-win seasons, and 4 20-win seasons in the last 5 years. The tide will look to continue dominating the boards, and shooting the 3-ball at almost a 50% rate the last week, and 2nd in the SEC at 40% for the season.

Arkansas is in need of a big win in order to push them into the postseason tournament. This is always a dangerous time of year for top tier teams. The big guys are starting to think down the road a few weeks, to conference tournaments, and the NCAAs, while bubble teams are thinking about stealing big games from big teams in order to make the tournament. It is visible around the country, Duke lost, Wake Forest barely held on against the Hurricanes, Kentucky lost, etc.

Alabama can't afford a slip here, if they want to creep into the 2 or 3 seed in the Tournament.

ROLL TIDE!!

Memphis v. Boston 6 p.m. (2/16)

Versus



Boston favored 1.5 @ home.

J-will is a "Questionable" on ESPN, but the Commercial Appeal has him as "Probable," will he play? Yes, but he won't start if I had to guess. We need him, that is for sure, the last two games, Memphis has struggled to shoot 36% from the field, although they have played STIFLING defense, which has helped make up for that. Portland scored 82 points, and Indy scored 76...That is impressive.

Boston is a different task, they don't play defense, and they score points in BUNCHES. Boston averages 101 points per game, while giving up 99 points per game. Memphis checks in at 94 points per game, while giving up 91 points per game.

Al Jefferson is the only piece of Boston's puzzle that is not active tonight, and coming of a home loss to the Kings, which dropped them into a tie for the division lead (at .500?!?) they will look to rebound against the Grizzlies. Lorenzen Wright has been playing great basketball, as Jerry West said in the Commercial Appeal today, he is really focusing on rebounding, and it shows, the last 6 games, he is averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds...

Memphis covers and Wins.

Season Record: (1-0-1)*

*since 2/10/05

Wait, I've seen this movie...It ends poorly for organic creatures...

Bush's Dream: Robot Army





Nope, It's not your parents robot,
This one doesn't play as nice:




I guess you probably did a double take too? I thought it was a joke when I saw the Quotation of the Day in the New York Times, by Gordon Johnson, "They don't get hungry, They're not afraid. They don't forget their orders. They don't care if the guy next to them has just been shot. Will they do a job better than humans? Yes."

HA! This is a problem on so many levels...

First, again, the US government is finding new and creative ways to encourage the outsourcing American jobs. That is ridiculous, and awful, but, hardly the biggest problem.

The story here is, we are going to create a group of extremely lethal robots that look like soldiers, but they have increased efficiency, strength, accuracy, and of course, no inner morality that might prohibit abusive behavior. Wow. I think every movie Armageddon flick I've seen that is not Space/Environmentally driven is based on the premise that we have created robots that are better than the humans, and now, the humans are dying.

Obviously, the Administration does not watch many movies. Or maybe, as I said earlier, the White House really is encouraging the apocalypse.

As I stated in the first blog, this will be an ever evolving project, and this article has inspired me to steal a page out of SI, and introduce, "SPAD's sign of the apocalypse" as a daily addition to our work here.

SPAD's sign of the Apocalypse:

The Pentagon is pushing to have a Robot Army by 2035, including swarming dust particles, hummingbird sized soldiers, as well as your traditional "foot soldier" (that's right, I made a TNMT reference, and you're impressed...)

The America They Want...

According to new party chairman Howard Dean, the Republicans "Know the America they want, and they are not afraid to use any means to get there." However, Chairman Dean does feel there are some things the Republicans are afraid of, namely, "It is that we may actually begin fighting for what we believe."

It is refreshing to hear the Party Chairman, after a tough defeat only 90 days old, speaking with such conviction, and strength. What's vital to the Democratic effort in 2006 and 2008 is maintaining the support for John Kerry's 2004 campaign. A grass roots effort to create a base that will counteract the Republican Bible Toting base has to start now, and it has to take advantage of what Howard Dean did in the Democratic Primary.

Issues are the issue, and the Democrats are going to be rewarded for their continued moderation as the Republican Party takes a polarizing position on many of the issues. If the democrats can emerge as the party of Moderates, then true political success can be realized. It is in moderation that successful, responsible government can be achieved. Ideologues are dangerous, and that is just as true on the left as on the right.

John Kerry spouted off today to the press about how the country would be better served to have elected him president. Perhaps he is right, but that is no longer a discussion we need to have. What we need to do (and Kerry is doing) is take the initiatives we developed last year, and push them through the congress. The only thing that can save this country from a slide into disarray is a strong minority voice in the legislature.

I heard today, as I was getting ready for work, that the GOP in the Senate intends to draft new rules to do away with the filibuster, in an attempt to push thru right-wing activist judges that failed appointment in the first Bush term. What a thought. The party that screamed abuse for 60+ years as the minority party has figured out exactly how to get even...Take those actions and expand them, that will teach those treasonous Democrats.

I am at a loss, no words are flowing. Perhaps I should just stop writing.

I am still doing my research for the 2005 MLB preview, as well as the 2008 Presidential Candidates, I'll get those up ASAP!

Stay Tuned...

You thought street drugs were expensive! How's your blood pressure?

I have to remind myself to stay calm as I talk about these things, I don't want to draw to much attention to myself here on Republican Row...

It's a wonder the mainstream media doesn't emphasize some of these things more. I know they feel compelled not to alienate the "vast majority" of the country of which President Bush claims to have support (45% job approval in a recent Associated Press/Ipsos poll).

Doesn't anyone want to know why we have to pay so much for our medicine, and the rest of the world doesn't? For over two centuries, America has been at the forefront of one thing or another. At one point, it was cotton and tobacco, then it was Manufacturing, in the early 1900s it was Automobile Production, through the 60s, 70s, and 80s we were the Financial center of the world, in the 1990s we led the way on Computer Technology, and now, our edge (which is cutting) is Medical Advancement and Medical Technology. We do it better than anyone else in the world. This is largely, giving credit to our free market ways, due to the the fact that the American Healthcare system is not nationalized.

The truth is this...We could have a system of prescription drugs that encourages competition, and allows for generic on a wider scale, but instead, the Bush administration has sheltered big drug companies like Pfizer, and Eli Lilly from patent expirations, and we are left with outrageous bills. What is sad is that on top of keeping Americans (especially the elderly) under enormous financial strain from these medications, the government took it a step further by completely blocking the flow of drugs from overseas and Canada. Scare tactics, a Bush Administration favorite. Of course there is always the risk of buying drugs from India that are sugar pills, or worse, tainted. However, the rest of the world seems to have very low incident of such poisoning.

This is just another case of Big Business exploiting the consumer, via, their friends at the White House. Its not wonder really. These businesses put millions of dollars into federal campaigns, and when their candidate wins, it is only to be expected that a portion (perhaps vast) of legislation will be decided not by party ideology, or personal morality, but by lobbyist who force the hand of members on both sides of the aisle. I don't mean to say that this problem is limited to the Republicans, they have just allowed a new breed of Cash-n-Carry government to rule since taking over the White House in 2000.

This is best shown on my favorite "what's wrong with our government" website, www.opensecrets.org. The website says the following about prescription drugs, "The Schumer-McCain bill would help speed cheaper generic drugs to market by closing several loopholes that allow brand-name drug manufacturers to extend their patents." Also, re-enforcing my point about contributions being on both sides of the aisle, but decidedly slanted towards the Republicans, "Generic drug manufacturers are not huge campaign contributors. Barr Laboratories, for example, gave nearly $270,000 in individual, PAC and soft money donations during the 2002 election cycle (78 percent to Republicans), compared with brand-name drug manufacturers Pfizer ($1.7 million, 79 percent to the GOP) and Eli Lilly ($1.5 million, 74 percent to the GOP)"

The latest battle will be fought on Capital Hill, where, god willing, the Democrats will stand up for what is right. The Bush Prescription Drug Plan introduced in 2003 called for $400 Billion in federal spending over the next 10 years, the plan has now ballooned to $720 Billion in the same time span. Bush accuses Democrats of trying to re-nig on their promise to the elderly in America, but even house Republicans say "The cost could fore a re-examination."

My head hurts just thinking about it...

Good thing Tylenol is over the counter, or I'd have to work overtime...

Stay Tuned...

On Deck:

Early Look at the 2005 Major League Baseball Season!

In the Hole:

2008 Presidential Candidates...Who are they, and when do they need my money?

Memphis v. Indiana Postgame

Ugly...

I don't have a more sophisticated word than that.

It was ugly...From start to finish.

For the second game in a row, the Grizzlies could not seem to shoot better than 36%. The defense was great, holding Indy under 80 points, but it doesn't matter if you can't put the basketball in the hoop. Battier couldn't shoot, Jones didn't hit anything, J-Will was out with a 'Sore Foot', and once again, Lorenzen Wright had to step up and make things happen. Ren had a quiet 18 points, 13 rebounds. Bonzi Wells really brought the intensity, driving hard to the basket, and making this happen on the defensive end.

You really saw the injuries and the number of games played before the break catch up with Memphis last night. They were sluggish, non-responsive, and generally un-inspired. It makes you wonder, the 3 or 4 games we have lost in 2005, with Gasol and Posey healthy, we really could have been in the 5 or 6 spot in the west, instead we have slipped to the 7.

Dallas found a way to win in Seattle, Houston won their 7th straight, and the Spurs lost in Miami (in what I thought was a fantastic game).

Memphis Pushed on the line, so I'll chalk it up as a tie...

on the season (1-0-1)*

*since 2/10

Memphis at Indiana 5 p.m. (2/13)

Versus




Memphis is a 3 point dog in this game.

Stromile Swift has a bad bruise to his right knee, and J-Will has, what the commercial appeal calls, "Sore Feet". With Posey and Gasol continuing to ride the injured list, this could spell disaster for the Grizzlies. The upside is that the Pacers will be without Jamal Tinsley, Jonathan Bender, and of course Ron Artest. The downside is that they still have Stephen Jackson, Reggie Miller, and Jermaine O'Neal.

Memphis is boasting a 12-12 road record this year, truly amazing for a franchise that has never been anywhere NEAR .500 on the road for a season. They are also actually playing better basketball on the road, where they give up fewer points, and score more.

Tonight, Lorenzen Wright and Stromile are going to have to figure out a way to keep O'neal from getting his 26 ppg average, and a victory must be keyed on the defensive end of the floor. I think you can be certain that Memphis remembers the 85-86 victory that Indiana stole from the Grizzlies on their home floor in January, and would really like to go up to Indy and return the favor.

Dallas has to travel to Seattle, and Houston will host the same Blazers that gave Memphis trouble on Friday. San Antonio is going to visit Miami in about 15 minutes, and this could be a Championship preview. Memphis would love to squeeze out a win on a day they could potentially gain a game on the entire division. (Oh, New Orleans is playing in Orlando, which got spanked by A.I. last night! 60 points!)

I'll say, Memphis covers, may not win.

Season (1-0) *


*since 2/10/05

Postgame Report Grizzlies v. Trailblazers

The Custodian, cleaning up a mess, as he was hired to do. 9 points, 5 assists, 4 steals, and of course, two HUGE three-pointers.

This was one of the ugliest games of the season. Jason Williams, Dhantay Jones, Lorenzen Wright, they just never got it going. Its times like these you don't mind having drafted Drew Goodin, when Mike Miller can come in and make things happen in crunch time.

Miller really lead the team down the stretch, with 4-8 shooting beyond the ark, and 22 points on the night. The rest of the team hardly shot 35%. Portland came in and they played physical basketball, and only one Grizzly looked ready to step up and counter that. Bonzi Wells.

Bonzi didn't have the best night from the floor, shooting 4-16, but he did tie a career high in rebounds with 14, while generally irritating the suspect Portland defense in the process.

The game, and crowd, were flat through three quarters, and the Grizzlies really struggled to keep up, cruising along most of the game training 6 to 10 points, but, as Damon Stoudamire said, "That's what good teams do. They take away games and that's what (the Grizzlies) did."

It means a lot to get this win, while Portland is still 7 games under .500, they are on the playoff radar, and if we continue to float around the 6 spot, we might have to contend with them.

How is Memphis supposed to gain ground with San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston continue to play just as well as we have. Ron Tillerey noted to day, in his article in The Commercial Appeal, Memphis now has more wins than they did at this time last year. Fratello is doing a great job, and it's almost hard to imagine how good this team will be if Posey and Gasol get healthy.

The rumor is that Gasol plans to be on the floor after the all-star game, but it could be mid-march before we get to see Posey fly around the court. Plantar Facitis...who'd have thought. This is why the NBA ought to prohibit players from playing international ball during the off season.

Next up? Memphis @ Indiana Sunday @ 5 p.m. I'll get a pre-game up sometime Sunday morning.

"Fat Chance" Howard Dean

"I'm trying to be restrained in my new role, I may be looking for a three piece suit. Fat chance!" -- Howard Dean addressing supporters at a rally as the DNC kicks off its annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

What is to be made of this? Has the democratic party really looked to Howard Dean to lead it into a new era? Did all five of the other candidates really drop out when faced with the overwhelming support of party leaders for Howard Dean? Is it possible that Dean will win this appointment without incident, or meltdown? Is it a dream? Are the Democrats about to put their political future in the hands of a man with a propensity for "caustic comments that sometimes stir controversy"? (CNN "Dean pledges to lead Democrats back to Power" 2/10/05)

Well, maybe there is good coming of this. When we all hung our heads on November 3, 2004 there was speculation that the Democratic party would have to cater to the "Faith" of the moderates in order to avoid political irrelevance. Hearing these words fall out of the talking heads on network and cable television struck fear in my already battered heart. How can a party that inspired so many to stand up against the "Moral Majority" in 2004 forget that they garnered 55 million votes? Howard Dean has not forgotten.

The Republicans may have won the White House in 2004, but at what cost? Have they put their party in a position to ostracize the very people that pushed them over the top? What happens when the next election comes up, and Gay Marriage is not on the ballot? Will the next Karl Rove be able to rally the kind of political support around "Family Values" after the party has shown a tendency to ignore the needs of American families, veterans, and children? It is funny, I never thought I'd root for the display of power we are witnessing from the Administration, but at this point, the Democrats have to encourage the abuse of power. It was abuse of Power that led to the Democrats being booted from Congress in the 1990s, and it looks as thought the Republicans don't have enough restraint to maintain control.

Back to Howard Dean. Now John Kerry has emerged as a major proponent of Dean's candidacy for the DNC Chairmanship, but what has brought on this sudden surge of support? Perhaps a desire not to face Dean in a Democratic Primary in three years? Perhaps a true belief in Dean as a leader for the new generation of Democrats. Either way, you can bet that there are a few Clinton's in the wings watching and waiting, to see how Dean's Chairmanship is received by the average Democrat.

Last month, a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll showed that 35% of democrats nationwide wanted to see their party be more liberal, while 59% said they wanted to see the party be more conservative. Perhaps this is the time for the Social Liberal/Fiscal Conservative to take the reigns of the party. Perhaps this is the time for the Democratic Party to represent democrats. Perhaps the future of the party lies in a near-libertarian position. How many among us would say we are socially liberal and fiscally conservative. I can tell you having recently left a college campus, that this is what the moderate/liberal youth of America identify with. It is this connection with the Youth (which makes up a giant portion of the U.S. Population) that makes Dean's candidacy strong. You saw it in the fall of 2003, as hundreds of thousands of "Deaniacs" emerged on campuses nationwide, starting grass roots campaigns to support Dr. Dean.

If the Democratic Party can successfully harness that energy, the party has better than good odds of being competitive, even in the mid-term election. If the Democratic party balks at the opportunity to involve the youth, and re-define what being a democrat in America is, they are destined for the political graveyard.

Maybe I'll vote Free-Soil in 2008.



Stay Tuned...

On Deck:
Prescription Drugs, and why they cost so much!

In the Hole:
Early Look at the 2005 Major League Baseball Season!

Bush's Disaster Budget (or Budget Disaster)

Talk about lacking a vision for the future...

Lets make cuts in the environment, education, health care for low income families, Center for Disease Control, and veterans benefits. Where do I even begin...

Let me preface this with a disclaimer;
"I will be critical of the President, especially his decision to take America to war, however, I have, and will always support American troops. A criticism of the "Rational for War" is not a criticism of the troops, or unpatriotic, and should not be interpreted as such."

The President is really making friends in the military. The President never served a day overseas, and now has the audacity to send American troops to fight for a Noble cause (although a different pretense than we began with), without the materials they need to protect themselves. As if that wasn't enough, when they get home missing limbs, (or worse their minds) they are left with outrageous prescription drug bills (I'll get to that later), because the President feels that VA benefits are a good place to make up lost ground on Federal Expenditures.

I read today in Paul Krugman's Article that not everyone will suffer from this new budget proposal, while the bottom of society may collapse, and people may have to die slowly of illnesses in their homes without medical care, "eliminating limits on deductions and exemptions would give taxpayers with incomes over $1 million an average tax cut of more than $19,000." Whew, all is not lost! I guess those of us living on under $24,000 per year just need to put our heads down and work harder. That $1,000,000 is not out of reach, you just have to "work harder." That is the American Dream isn't it? All you have to do is "work harder," (and maybe have friends and family in government that can grant you no-bid contracts, and government positions, and if your really lucky, the keys to a vast oil field).

Anyone else feel like they are being mocked by the Administration? Red States have got to be upset as well. Bush proposed cutting Farm Subsidies pretty significantly! I bet he didn't talk about that when he was stumping in Iowa...This Administration will piss on your leg and tell you its raining.

It takes a special kind of person, with a special kind of belief system to undertake some of the domestic policy he has chosen. I don't want to get to into religion, but I will say this, it looks as thought the Administration is expecting the Rapture, and someone needs to get in there and stop this. It is really the only hypothesis I have. Otherwise, why would we be doing our damnedest to start WWIII in the Middle East, while ignoring things like education for our youth, health care for our poor, and the environment!

Maybe the Administration does not lack a vision of the future, their vision is just of a future that never comes. Wouldn't Mr. Bush be a little more concerned with his legacy, if he believed we would be around long enough to see it examined. You can certainly assume from his actions that he is not concerned about how history will judge him.

I can say this. The present is judging him. Mr. Bush has been weighed, and found wanting!


On a side note, a wise woman told me "Life's a bitch...and so is our President"



Stay Tuned...

On Deck:
Howard Dean to Chair the DNC?

In the Hole:
Prescription Drugs, and why they cost so much!

Memphis v. Portland 7 p.m. (2/11/05)

Versus



The line on the game is Memphis by 6.5, and I like Memphis. There are a number of questions you have to ask, how does Dhantay Jones continue to be the x-factor for this team? A career high 23 against Philadelphia, the third time in three weeks he has shattered his career high. The other interesting match up is Damon Stoudamire (15 ppg, 5.6 apg), who has really never been a 20/10 guy since leaving Toronto, against Jason Williams (12 ppg, 6 apg), who has grown up a lot since leaving Sacramento. If J-Will can keep himself out of foul trouble early (something he could not do against A.I.) he ought to have another 15-20 point night. If he gets in trouble trying to contain Stoudamire, then we will have to rely on Earl Watson (8 ppg, 5 apg) and Antonio Burks (5 ppg, 2 apg) to carry us thru the second and third period. The other thing you have to keep in mind with the Blazers in town, is that Bonzi Wells (11 ppg, 2 apg) always plays well against his former team, averaging 22 ppg when facing Portland. As I am sure you remember, Bonzi had some rough times in Portland, yelling at fans, teammates, coaches, etc. He was a walking technical Foul. However, since the day he left Portland he has been a standup player, and person. Its funny, the same thing happened to Rasheed Wallace. Darius Miles has become major trouble since landing in Portland. Maybe its not these players. Maybe its that team. Maybe its that system. Maybe its that city. Portland 93, Memphis 104.

Welcome to Sports, Politics, and the American Dream

I hope this finds someone's ear/eyes, as I intend to put together some pretty interesting mix of political analysis, and sports commentary. I'd like to start by saying, I shouldn't be doing this, I ought to be working (putting together boxes for attorneys that can't do any clerical work for themselves), but I can't help put get SOMETHING up on this board. I can assure you they will only improve from here. Tonight is a big game for my grizzlies (Memphis grizzlies/NBA) as they will host a out-of-synch Portland team at the FedEx Forum in downtown Memphis. Ought to be a good one, as the Grizz are coming of a solid road win at Philly. Next week we will get into the spring training discussion, as my Atlanta Braves gear up for another NL East title run. Tim Hudson certainly will help that. I guess, the only other team worth noting now is that my Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team is playing great ball. That 31 point loss at Florida last weekend ought to be the last of the regular season, and it was one they probably needed (got to keep the team level headed). They went to Knoxville and handled the Vols on Wednesday. Buzz Peterson just can't seem to get his act together out there. Its a sad state when your best player is a transfer from Memphis...That's all for now, I'll try to get more up this afternoon!