There is a “good” usage and a “bad” usage (and maybe others, but I don’t care about them).

Good:

LeBron James is a freak of nature.

Bad:

Michael Jackson was a freak show.

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Michael Jackson, RIP

One less freak show on planet earth.

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Poor Farrah Fawcett. She picks the day Michael Jackson dies to leave this earth. Hardly a word to be heard about the ’70 icon.

Farrah Fawcett, RIP, really

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Atlanta Hawks Basketball

Well, the Hawks traded for a guard who can score, they drafted a guard who can score, and they have a guard who can score.  They have Josh Smith who thinks he can score.  The question is, are there enough basketballs to go around?  Will ZaZa Pachulia have to play 48 minutes just so someone on the floor won’t need the ball?

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Harold Hongju Koh

The new legal advisor to the State Department.  Who cares?  Well, if you think the 2nd Amendment matters, then you ought to care.  Here is a sample of his thinking:

“Too much work [was] left undone. After a few sleepless nights, I wrote for myself a list of issues on which I needed to do more in the years ahead. One of those issues was global regulation of small arms.” (2001)

Look for this administration to somehow trump the Constitution with an international treaty.  Not that the average politician in Washington has ever read the Constitution…

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Cap and Trade

I predict this will turn a recession into a depression.  I predict 100s of thousands if not millions of jobs will move to China and India (they aren’t capping a damn thing, except maybe our ass – to use the vernacular).   The recent CBO info on the cost of cap and trade I’m seeing sounds crazy to me – $175 per family!?  Nuts.

Try this on for size instead.

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How Politics and Politicians Really Work

I was recently reminded of two of my all-time favorite British comedies: “Yes, Minister” and “Yes, Prime Minister.” If you haven’t seen them you are missing the best and funniest explanations of how governments and politicians really operate. Here are a couple of snippets:

Yes, Minister
Yes, Prime Minister

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Addendum
WTF?

From the current president of these United States:

Concerning the protests in Iran, Obama said, “Their bravery in the face of brutality is a testament to their enduring pursuit of justice. The violence perpetrated against them is outrageous. In spite of the government’s efforts to keep the world from bearing witness to that violence, we see it and we condemn it.”

The “pursuit of justice”?! WTF? How about the pursuit of Liberty? Or the freedom to live your life as you see fit? Oh no. Couldn’t say that – for once he is being honest – because he does not believe in LIBERTY or FREEDOM. Think I’m wrong? Find me a speech where he has said those words. More importantly, look at his actions.

This guy is a Marxist community leader. Period. He is masquerading as a president.

If it moves and they can see it or scent it, they will bay at it or if they are lucky and it is in the yard, the hunt is on. Something deep down inside them will allow nothing else.

We have two beagles, bother and sister. The are in middle age now, and like so many humans, are graying and filling out around the middle. Tigger, the male, has cancerous growth on his leg, but he doesn’t let that slow him down. Cookie, the female, is doing more than just filling out around the middle – one might call her plump, if you are in a kind mood.

I went to the window and saw the south end to two north facing dogs, their heads buried in some undergrowth a corner of our backyard baying at an unknown quarry. As I watched, I saw Cookie leap backwards like she’d touched an electric wire. As quickly as her feet touched the ground, she headed right back into the fray. A small wave of pride came over me – go Cookie! Then a bit of concern crossed my mind – what if she and Tigger were snake wrangling?

Tigger and Cookie kept at for about another minute. Suddenly, the baying stopped and Cookie retreated quickly. Tigger loafed away slowly in a different direction. I could see Cookie had something in her mouth (not a snake to my relief), but I couldn’t tell what.

She stopped after about 20 feet, lie down and started to chew, or at least try to chew. By this time, Joanie had heard the commotion and was outside investigating. She got Tigger and Cookie out of the yard and went to see with what Cookie had been doing battle.

Turns out, she (Cookie, not Joanie) had caught a mole of all things. I’ve never seen a mole up close and personal, but Joanie said it had a mouth full of small, but sharp looking teeth. As you can tell, Joanie is the brave one in this family….

Anyway, all this got me to thinking about the animals that people have in their lives. The key word is animals. I think many people forget that dogs and cats, in particular, are animals and not four-legged people.

I think much of this attitude, and I find it unappealing and rather dangerous, can be layed at the feet of Walt Disney (although he was hardly the first). Oh for shame that I say something bad about Old Walt, but I think it is true. For example, those that oppose hunting are sure to bring up Bambi. It never fails. The anthropomorphically portrayed animals Old Walt loved so much has changed for the worse the attitudes of those who see animals in no other light.

Our two dogs, who want nothing more than to have human attention and don’t have a mean bone in their bodies, are animals deep down inside and that is what they will always be. Ours have never been trained to hunt, have never been trained at all except for our semi-effective attempts at sit, stay and heel. Yet, hundreds of generations of wild animal are ingrained in them as sure as they have four legs. Domesticated, yes; still animals, by all means.

So next time you want to dress your pet in human clothing, or stick you face right into theirs you might want to think twice. Who knows, for an odd second or two, you may look like a mole to your pet. And we know how that ends…

From the Sporting News Best of 2010 (interestingly, SN picked a picture of Suh with the ball – he has several interceptions for TDs in his career – heaven help the guy who get in his way when he gets a full steam; just ask Colorado’s Cody Hawkins):

1. Ndamukong Suh DT  He is a one man wrecking crew who gets into the backfield to blow up plays before they get started. He has the quickness and lower-body strength to explode off the snap and shoot the gap, or drive offensive lineman backwards. He can defeat one-on-one pass blocks with power or quickness.

From ESPN Mock 2010 Draft:

2. Cleveland Browns — Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Suh is an underrated talent with quickness, power and versatility.

I love Bo Pellini’s comment after the Colorado game.  Something to the effect that “the big guy thinks he Walter Payton.”

Football fans need to learn how to pronounce his name correctly:  En-dom-ah-ken Soo.  At home games, you will frequently hear the stadium erupt in “Soooooooo.”  The fans know who butters their bread.

Ndamukong means “House of Spears” to his native Ngema tribe of Cameroon (from his father; his mother is Jamician).  Offensive linemen who face him should keep that in mind.

So far, one person – an illegal immigrant baby – has died, in the hospital at taxpayer expense. I just heard Dr. Besser – acting head of the CDC- say on Fox coverage that 36,000+ Anericans die each year from the “regular” flu. One vs 36,000. Yeah, let’s freak out over the one. You have to love our media/government.

Unfortunately, I think this kind of thing will ultimately cause people to lose confidence in the CDC and others, such that when a real problem occurs, no one will pay attention. You know, Chicken Little…

For the record, this is the definition of a pandemic:

New influenza virus subtype emerges
It infects humans, causing serious illness
It spreads easily and sustainably among humans

This according to the World Health Organization. Apparently, you could have a pandenic that causes exactly zero deaths (not likely, but…).

The way this “crisis” is being covered by the media and government representatives, you would think this was the definition of pandemic:

New influenza virus subtype emerges
It infects humans, causing death and destruction.
It spreads easily and sustainably among humans until millions die.

Ah, Change in America. Just what the doctor ordered… Not.

The Rams did the expected and got the big O tackle Jason Smith out of Baylor. After losing Orlando Pace – it would have be a big surprise if they had done anything else.

Who would be the first Husker picked and when? – big surprise here. Cody Glenn, the LB converted from a running back just last year, was selected by the Redskins in the 5th round. I would have bet it was going to be Lyndon Murtha, the big O tackle who dominated the combine in virtually all measured categories.

Knowshon vs Bennie? Knowshon went at 12, Bennie at 31. Probably a fairly significant pay difference, but not as much if one had gone in the top 10. Still, on the field is where we will see what they are both made of – and ultimately, how much money each will make. You do have to wonder how many touches Bennie will get in pass happy Arizona. Another ‘Dog RB in Denver.

On the Vonte Davis front, since Miami drafted him, there will be a whole continent between him and his brother Vernon. On the other hand, the bright lights of South Beach could be a real problem for Vonte. He’d probably would be better off in Buffalo.

Score as of now:
Georgia – 6 draftees, none since the 6rd round
Illinois – 3 draftees, last in the 6th round
Nebraska – 2 draftees, last in the 6th round, but still no Murtha

In a year or two, Bo will have some top picks – maybe as soon as next year. If there is justice in the world, D tackle Ndamukung Suh be a 1st rounder in 2010.

Unfortunately, for Ranger Erskine, the barrel fell off his pistol.  But, luck was with the Rangers that day, for the exploding pistol broke the braves’ bow.  As the Comanche tried to stab Erskine with an arrow (you never see that in Hollywood), another ranger, Creed Taylor, shot and killed the Indian.

That story got me to thinking about quality in the things you buy and use. It is an old saw, there is no substitute for quality, and Ranger Erskine’s experience is the exception that proves the rule.

Buy the best you can afford, whatever it is, and you’ll never be disappointed.

How would you like to be Stafford’s agent Tom Condon? Condon is last year’s NFL Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan’s agent as well. Must be good to be Tom Condon…

Just noticed, but if my kid is a big time QB prospect – I’m changing his name to Matthew.

Great county, but something is wrong when a 20 something just out of college makes more money than the highest paid employee of the team or the league. Bothered me for years. Doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon.

The NFL draft starts in about a 1/2 hour.  No. 1 is already decided.  What will the Rams do with the 2nd pick?  Who will be the first Husker picked and when?  Will Knowshon go before Bennie?  Will Vonte Davis turn out to be a bit of a bum like his brother Vernon?

Lots of fun questions…