Archive for October, 2008

NFL 2008–Week 6 Recap

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

After several weeks on the road, the Tygrrrr Express decided to forego a second trip to New York in 2 weeks for the ability to do what I have not done since Week 1…watch football in front of my own television in Los Angeles. I have watched football from 5 different cities the first 5 weeks. It is time for my NFL package to not be a complete waste. With that, below is my Week 6 NFL Recap, from the comfort of my living room.

Chicago Bears @ Atlanta Falcons–Matt Ryan started out on fire, completing 8 out of his first 9 passes for over 107 yards, as the Falcons built a 6-0 lead. Ryan kept firing, and after a touchdown pass was called back, a field goal added to the lead as Atlanta led 9-0. Atlanta led 9-3 at the half, and Jason Elam’s 4th field goal had the Falcons up 12-3. When Matt Forte ran in a short touchdown, the end zone had finally been reached, with the Bears down only 12-10 in the 3rd quarter. What was notable was that Kyle Orton, who led the 14 play drive that ate up over 8 minutes, is developing into a solid quarterback. Orton was benched for Rex Grossman in 2005 after leading the team to 8 wins in a row. He is not exciting, but he makes few mistakes. Yet he seems to be turning into more than a mere manager.

The 4th quarter contained one of the all time great finishes. Matt Ryan is exciting, and is developing into a superstar. On 3rd and 9 from his own 25, he found Douglas for 47 yards to the Chicago 28. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed Atlanta back 15 yards, but Ryan found White for 26 yards to the Chicago 17. With 13 1/2 minutes remaining, Ryan found White for 3 yards to put the Falcons up 19-10.

Wolfe returned the kickoff to midfield, and Orton went right to work with the short field. On 3rd and goal from the 1, McKie was stuffed. On 4th and goal from the 1, Forte ran into an Atlanta brick wall. The goal line stand with 8 minutes left appeared to end things, but this game was far from over.

The Bears held, and began their next drive with 6 minutes remaining at their own 46. From the Atlanta 36, Orton found Greg Olsen for 2 yards down to the 14. The drive stalled, but a field goal had Chicago within 19-13 with 4 minutes left. Jerrius Norwood returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards to the Chicago 17. This game was completely over. No, it was not. The Falcons stalled, and Elam, who had made 4 field goals, missed a 33 yard chip shot.

Orton began at his own 23, and the Bears had reached their own 37 at the 2 minute warning. Orton completed short passes as the clock ticked. From the Atlanta 34, Orton cut the distance in half by finding Devon Hester at the 17 with 28 seconds left. Orton found Davis for the touchdown with 11 seconds left. The Bears had won a shocker 20-19.

Except the game still was not over. With only 11 seconds, the Falcons took the squib kickoff to their own 44. 6 seconds remained. Ryan found Jenkins for 26 yards to the Chicago 30. The Bears insisted the game was over, but the officials ruled that one second remained. Elam redeemed himself, drilling the 48 yarder, his 5th field goal in 6 attempts. A pair of lead changes in the final 11 seconds ended this stunner. 22-20 Falcons

Miami Dolphins @ Houston Texans–The Dolphins were the worst team in the NFL last year. They may not be the best this year, but they are the most exciting. The “Wildcat Offense” is lighting up the scoreboard. Today, a double reverse to Ronnie Brown led to a 53 yard halfback option pass to Patrick Cobbs for the 7-0 Dolphins lead. Cobbs then took a swing pass for 80 yards and another touchdown for a 14-3 Miami lead. For those who do not know, Cobbs is the fullback. Yes, the most exciting and heralded player on the field except for the rest of them had a pair of thrilling touchdowns. Yet the Texans came back. Down 14-6, a 70 yard punt return for a touchdown by Jacoby Jones pulled the Texans to within 14-13 at the half.

In the second half, Matt Schaub found Andre Johnson for a 12 yard touchdown pass. The Texans needed only 5 plays to go 78 yards for the 20-14 Houston lead. Chad Pennington led the Dolphins right back, and a 5 yard Ricky Williams run put the Dolphins back up 21-20. Schaub threw a 30 yard pass that set up a Kris Brown go ahead field goal with 6 minutes remaining.

With 3 minutes remaining, Pennington had a ball that was deflected, batted, and intercepted by Eugene Wilson. Memo to defenders (grabbing a bullhorn): GET ON THE GROUND. Instead, Wilson ran it back in traffic, and fumbled it back to the Dolphins. Pennington made the Texans pay, as a swing pass to Ronnie Brown went for a long gain deep into Houston territory. Brown finished the drive with a 10 yard touchdown to put the Dolphins up 28-23 with 1:45 remaining.

Schaub ran the 2 minute drill to near perfection. On 4th and 10, he found Andre Johnson for the 1st down. Another completion had the ball on the Miami 11 yard line. With 7 seconds remaining, the Texans faced 4th and 2 at the Miami 4. In an “Are you kidding me!” moment, with the entire world expecting pass, Schaub ran up the middle on the quarterback draw to win it. It was the only run on the 12 play drive. The Texans have their first win, and a thriller it was. 29-28

Texans Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts–This was the offense of the Colts, which this year seems to only operate late in the game, vs the defense of the Ravens, which malfunctioned last week only when it counted. The Colts had the better of things in the early going as Peyton Manning lit up the scoreboard. A pair of touchdowns, including a 67 yarder to Marvin Harrison and a 22 yarder to Dallas Clark, had the Colts up 14-0 early on. Manning had a 5 yarder to Harrison to have the Colts up 24-0 at halftime. The Colts cruised in the second half. Joseph Addai plunged in from a yard out to put the Colts up 31-0. Both teams then slept through the rest of the blowout. For some reason the Ravens kicked a field goal, perhaps to say they scored something. 31-3 Colts

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings–With all respect to my friend, the P*ssed off tree rat, the Lions are a mess. Against Minnesota, the Lions managed only 14 yards in the 1st quarter. Nevertheless, the Vikings were almost as inept. The Vikings led 2-0 on a safety. The Lions led 3-2 at the half, and for some reason the second half was played. Orlovsky, playing instead of John Kitna, found Johnson for 12 yards to put Detroit up 10-2. That lead lasted 14 seconds as Gus Frerotte found Bernard Berrian for an 86 yard touchdown pass to pull the Vikings within 10-9. Although this game was dreadful, it did have an exciting and controversial finish. A questionable pass interference penalty on Lee Bodden with 2:15 remaining positioned the Vikings at the Detroit 23. It was a 50 yard penalty. A field goal by Ryan Longwell on the game’s final play left the Lions winless. The Vikings are winning ugly, but the wins count. The safety was the difference. 12-10 Vikings

Oakland Raiders @ New Orleans Saints–The Tom Cable era has begun. For more go to www.justblogbaby.com

The Saints went 3 and out on their opening drive, and Johnny Lee Higgins returned the punt 35 yards into New Orleans territory. With the short field, JaMarcus Russell completed passes of 13 and 8 yards to Ronald Curry. Unfortunately, as is the case with the Raiders, the drive bogged down inside the 10 yard line. Sebastian Janikowski hit the 26 yard field goal to put the Raiders up 3-0. The Saints did move right down the field, but a pair of penalties had them at 3rd and 22. On 4th and 6 from the Oakland 14, the chip shot 31 yard field goal was wide. The Raiders did not move the ball, but a Shane Lechler punt set up the Saints at their own 13. After Reggie Bush returned a pair of punts for touchdowns last week, good punting and punt coverage would be e in this game.

Nevertheless, the Raiders seemed to have no answer on defense for the rushing of Bush and Deuce McAllister. The Saints moved down the field with relative ease. Brees was a ridiculous 14 for 14, and on 3rd and goal from the 8, Brees’s first incomplete pass seemed to end the drive. However, the Raiders jumped offsides. Given a second chance, Bush scored from 3 yards out to cap the 11 minute drive. The Raiders just kill themselves over and over again.

The Saints had problems of their own, mainly in the kicking game. A kickoff out of bounds had the Raiders starting at their own 40. At the 2 minute warning, the Raiders had 3rd and 7 at the Baltimore 40. After an incomplete pass, Coach Cable took a gamble that did not work. Seabass was brought in for a 57 yard field goal. He has the leg, and even attempted a 76 yarder earlier in the season. Yet that was on the last play of the half. This kick was no good, and the Saints had excellent field position and 1:48 to work with.

A pair of completions had the Saints at the Oakland 17 with 1:11 left in the half. After opening with 16 straight completions, Brees finally threw an incomplete pass. On 3rd and 8 he then threw an incomplete pass to nobody that was ruled intentional grounding. A 44 yard field goal was good, and the Saints led 10-3 with 50 seconds left in the half. From their own 25, the Raiders decided not to kneel on the ball. A 35 yard catch and run by Higgins had the Raiders in business. An incomplete pass was expected to be defensive pass interference, but for some bizarre reason was called on the offense. With 11 seconds left, Seabass was brought in for a 59 yard attempt. Again he was long enough but wide left. Seabass has the most 50+ yard kicks in the league since 2006, justifying the attempts. Brees then fired a pass, and the Saints insisted one second remained on the clock. The referees declared halftime.

The Raiders had the ball for less than 10 minutes in the first half, an began the second half by going 3 and out. The Saints then took over at their own 45. Earlier in the game the Saints went 18 plays. This drive was for 11 plays, and Drew Brees found Aaron Stecker on 3rd and goal from the 8 to put the Saints up 17-3. On the net series, Russell was intercepted by Jason Davis. Russell had only one interception the whole year before this one, but this one was costly. Brees found Bush, who escaped a tackle and went 17 yards for the score. The Saints led 24-3, and further analysis seemed unnecessary.

The Raiders have a decent defense, but it gets exhausted because the offense is not functional. Hopefully in future weeks Cable will turn it around. The Raiders were in full quit mode when Brees found Devry Henderson for a 51 yard bomb to each the Oakland 20 as the 3rd quarter ended. That set up a field goal, and when Russell fumbled deep in Oakland territory, the Saints tacked on their final touchdown. 34-3 Saints

Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets–When the Jets wore their throwback New York Titans earlier this year, Brett Favre threw 6 touchdown passes in a game where New York scored 56 points. They wore them today against the winless Bengals. The Bengals did take a 7-0 lead, as Favre was hit and fumbled, with Ndukwe returning it 15 yards for the score. Favre then rebounded, and found Thomas Jones for a 5 yard touchdown pass to tie the game. Jay Feely nailed a 38 yard field goal to put the Jets up 10-7. On their next possession, the Jets ran a double reverse that set up first and goal. Thomas Jones ran up the middle on the next play to put the Jets up 17-7. Fitzpatrick, filling in for Carson Palmer, led a 14 play drive just before the half that ended in a one yard Fitzpatrick run to put the Bengals within 17-14.

With the Jets leading 20-14 in the 4th quarter, Favre had the Jets on the move. Yet a pass to the goal line was a jump ball that was deflected and intercepted with 12minutes remaining. The Bengals could not move the ball, and Favre then led a 6 minute drive that ended with Thomas Jones’s 3rd touchdown of the day. The one yard plunge with 2:22 remaining had the Jets up comfortably. The Bengals were game, but remained winless. 26-14 Jets

Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers–These teams are about defense and secial teams, and the start of this game was no exception. A blocked punt for a touchdown had the Buccaneers up 7-0. A Jake Delhomme pass bounced off the hands of Dante Rosario, and was intercepted by Denard Jackson. That set up a short field, ending in a 3 yard touchdown pass from Jeff Garcia to Alex Smith to put the Buccaneers up 14-0. Tampa Bay led 17-3 at the break. The second half was all defense. The highlight may have been a 60 yard Josh Bidwell punt that went out of bounds at the Carolina 1. Warrick Dunn ran well, as the Buccaneers won by a larger margin than this usually tight game expects. 27-3 Buccaneers

St. Louis Rams @ Washington Redskins–The Redskins led 7-0 when Clinton Portis ran up the gut for 3 yards. This was because the Rams turned it over inside their own 5 on a Stephen Jackson fumble. Leading 7-3, the bizarre play of the game was the difference in the first half. Jason Campbell had a pass deflected, and caught by one of his own offensive linemen. Rather than fall down, the lineman was hit, fumbled, and had the ball returned 75 yards by Otogwe to put the Rams up 10-7 Only seconds remained in the half, and it changed a game the Redskins were controlling. Field goals ruled the second half, with the Rams leading 16-7 after 3 quarters, and 16-10 late in the game. However, new coach Jim Haslett knows what he is working with.

A 29 yard Portis run had the Redskins in business. Jason Campbell threw a deep ball to Antwon Randle-El to the two yard line that set up the go ahead touchdown with 3:47 remaining. The Rams took over on their own 24. The Rams reached their own 44 at the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and 13 from their own 41, Bulger threw a prayer, and the Hail Mary was answered. Avery caught the ball for a 43 yard gain down to the Washington 16 with 38 seconds remaining. In easy field goal range, one player who should have obeyed his name messed up badly. The player was Incognito, and he should have remained that way. Instead, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed the Rams back to the Washington 32. A chip shot field goal attempt was now a 49 yarder. These are the Rams. It didn’t matter. Josh Brown nailed it as the final gun sounded. The Rams and Jim Haslett had their first win of the year against a good Washington team. 19-17 Rams

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Denver Broncos–Jay Cutler went right to work, leading the Broncos 80 yards in 10 plays, with an 11 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stokely to put Denver up 7-0. Cutler then became turnover plagued. After an interception, Cutler then later on fumbled near midfield, setting up a Jacksonville field goal. Cutler’s second interception had Jacksonville at their own 6. Denver’s 4th turnover occurred when a Cutler pass to Brandon Marshall was fumbled by Marshall. David Garrard then led a 75 yard drive in 12 plays over 6 1/2 minutes, culminating in a one yard plunge by Maurice Jones-Drew to put the Jaguars up 10-7 with 3 minutes left in the half.

The Jaguars took the second half kickoff, and needed little more than a minute. Maurice Jones-Drew raced 46 yards for a touchdown to put the Jaguars up 17-7. AFter a Denver field goal, Garrard found Lewis for a 30 yard touchdown and a 24-10 lead. In the 4th quarter, after a strong punt return, Denver began at the Jacksonville 37. Cutler found Graham for 11 yards with over 9 minutes remaining to pull within one score. They got no closer, and after an exchange of punts, Jacksonville ran the final 6 minutes off of the clock. 24-17 Jaguars

Dallas Cowboys @ Arizona Cardinals–J J Arrington took the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Cardinals lead right off the bat. The rest of the 1st quarter contained 3 turnovers, 2 first downs, and 15 yards total offense. In the 2nd quarter, Romo was hit in his own end zone, and fumbled for a Cardinals touchdown. After further review, the infamous Tuck Rule reversed the call. The Oakland Raiders forever remember that rule, as now the Cardinals fell victim to it. Romo then led the Cowboys 91 yards in only 7 plays, as a 55 yard pass to Patrick Crayton with one minute left in the half tied the score 7-7. The Cardinals fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Dallas took over at the Arizona 27. It did not matter, as Nick Folk clanked a 36 yard field goal attempt off of the upright to end the miserable half. Each team had one good play and nothing more to brag about.

The Cowboys took the second half kickoff and marched 77 yards in 12 plays, eating up almost 7 minutes. Romo found Austin for 14 yards to put Dallas up 14-7. Nick Folk kicked the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, putting Arizona at their own 40. 11 plays and 5 minutes later, Kurt Warner found Larry Fitzgerald for a 5 yard touchdown pass and a tie game 14-14. The Cardinals then gambled on an onsides kick that failed, but no points came out of it.

As the 3rd quarter was ending, Warner, from his own 6 yard line, brought the Greatest show in the Desert to life. A 15 yard pass to Breston was followed by a 39 yard pass to Fitzgerald. Edgerrin James moved the chains, and Warner found Breston for 11 yards and the leading touchdown with 11 minutes left. After a Dallas punt, Warner kept firing, and a field goal had the Cardinals safely in front 24-14.

Safely was the wrong word. A short swing pass to Marion Barber followed by several mistackles led to a 70 yard touchdown. The Cowboys trailed 24-21, but a taunting penalty after the touchdown forced Dallas to kick from their own 20. They had 2 timeouts left, and kicked off. Arizona took over at their own 43 after a short kickoff. Arizona went nowhere, and Dallas got the ball back with one minute left deep in their own territory.

With 22 seconds left from their own 36, Romo fired to Jason Witten at the Arizona 40 with 3 seconds left. Folk prepared for a 57 yard field goal to tie the game. The officials huddled and ruled that an Arizona player was offsides when the ball was spiked. Therefore, Folk had his chance from 52 yards. The kick was blocked, but the Cardinals had called timeout before the kick. This was reminiscent of the New England-Baltimore game last year. Folk had another chance, and he drilled it. The game went into overtime.

The Cowboys had all the momentum, and they won the coin toss in a  game that should have ended in regulation. However, they went 3 and out and had to punt.The punt was blocked by Morey, who was so far deep in the backfield that the punter’s foot never touched it. It was recovered at the 3 yard line by Beisel, who staggered in for the touchdown. The Cardinals closed the game the way they opened it, with a special teams touchdowns. Both teams are 4-2. 30-24 Cardinals, OT

Philadelphia Eagles @ San Francisco 49ers–After a San Francisco field goal, Demps returned the kickoff 63 yards to the San Francisco 37. That set up a Correll Buckhalter run from a yard out to put the Eagles up 7-3. The 49ers added another field goal, but Donovan McNabb then went 78 yards for another touchdown. A pass to Buckhaleter for 25 yards set up the 2 yard toss to Baskett. On the next Philly possession, McNabb’s 3rd and goal pass set up 4th and goal at the 1. Andy Reid decided to kick the field goal, to put the Eagles up 17-6. With 30 seconds left in the half, the 49ers added a 3rd field goal to pull within 17-9.

McNabb needed less than that to set up a 54 yard field goal attempt by David Akers. The kick was blocked by McDonald, and returned 41 yards for a touchdown by Duane Strickland. Instead of being up 20-9, the Eagles led only 17-16 at the break.

The 49ers took the second half kickoff, and began at their own 22. J T O’Sullivan passed the team to the Philly 31, and Frank Gore had a 25 yard run to the 6, before running the remaining 6 yards on the next carry. The 49ers led 23-17, and tacked on a field goal to lead 26-17 after 3 quarters. The 3rd quarter was all San Francisco, but the 4th quarter was all Philadelphia.

The 49ers took over at their own 12 after intercepting McNabb and thwarting a drive, but a poor punt had Philly starting at the San Francisco 44. 5 plays later McNabb found Smith for 2 yards, and the Eagles were within 26-24. The game then turned into the David Akers show. Despite the blocked one earlier, he redeemed himself several times in the 4th quarter.

Akers nailed a 38 yarder with under 8 minutes remainign to give the Eagles the lead. AFter an O’Sullivan interception, Akers connected from 25 yards to give the Eagles a 4 point lead. O’Sullivan then fumbled, and again the Eagles could not convert a short field into a touchdown. With 1:14 remaining, the Eagles led 33-26.

With one minute to go, the 49ers reached midfield, but O’Sullivan was intercepted, and the 55 yard return by Parker for the final score locked up the game. The Eagles put up 17 points through 3 quarters, and 23 points in the 4th quarter. 40-26 Eagles

Green Bay Packers @ Seattle Seahawks–this was once an exciting game, with Brett Favre and Matt Hasselbeck dueling, and Shaun Alexander running, until Al Harris intercepted Hasselbeck in overtime to win it. Those days are gone. Aaron Rodgers started for the Packers, Frye did for the Seahawks, and Mike Holmgren was an unhappy Walrus in his final season coaching Seattle. Frye found Carlson for a 6 yard touchdown pass midway through the seond quarter to put Seattle up 10-3. Rodgers then led a 7 minute drive that took up 66 yards and 13 plays. Aaron Rodgers snuck it i himself one yard for the tying score with 30 seconds left in the half.

Midway through the 3rd quarter, Rodgers went deep to Greg Jennings for a 45 yard touchdown to put the Packers on top 17-10. After a Seattle punt, Rodgers led the Packers on an 84 yard drive that took 15 plays and 8 minutes. Rodgers found John Kuhn for a 1 yard touchdown pass to put the Packers comfortably in front 24-10 with 11 1/2 minutes remaining. Charles Woodson intercepted Frye on the next series to end any suspense. 27-17 Packers

New England Patriots @ San Diego Chargers was the Sunday night game. The Chargers took the opening kickoff, and on the first play Philip Rivers found Vincent Jackson for a 48 yard bomb. Antonio gates dropped a touchdown pass, and the Chargers settled for a field goal. After New England missed a field goal, the Chargers took over at their own 38, and began firing again. Rivers went for the jugular, and the 49 yard bomb to Floyd had the Chargers up 10-0. Floyd made an acrobatic catch, out wrestling Deltha O’Neal for the ball.

After a punt left New England with a short field at the San Diego 43, a field goal cut the gap to 10-3. Yet New England punted on their next drive, and a strong return by Darren Sproles with a personal foul tacked on had the Chargers in business at the New England 31. Rivers went to Jackson for 4 yards and a 17-3 lead just before the half.

In the second half, the Patriots mounted a drive, and from the San Diego 29, Matt Cassel tosses a short pass to Sammy Morris. Morris took it all the way to the San Diego one yard line. On first and goal, Cassell threw incomplete. A run was stuffed on 2nd and down, and another incomplete pass on erd down set up 4th and goal form the 1. Cassel tried to take it himself on the draw, and got rocked. The goal line stand was the turning point in the game.

From his own 6, Rivers threw from his end zone to Vincent Jackson for a 59 yard bomb to the New England 35. 2 plays later, a defensive pass interference penalty in the end zone set up a 1 yard touchdown pass from Rivers to Gates. Instead of 17-10, the Chargers led 24-3 midway through the 3rd quarter. An interception of Cassel on the next series set up a field goal, and the Chargers added another field goal after that. The game was never close. 30-10 Chargers

New York Giants @ Cleveland Browns was the Monday night game. Despite not having Jim Brown and Sam Huff, this game had plenty of stars and action. On the 3rd play of the game, Derek Anderson hit Braylon Edwards for 49 yards, setting up a Phil Dawson field goal and a 3-0 Cleveland lead. Eli Manning had the Giants on the move, but was intercepted at the Cleveland 5 yard line. The Browns drove close enough for Dawson to attempt a 52 yard field goal, but this one was caught by the wind, and sent wide. Manning then tossed a 34 yard pass to Kevin Boss to the Cleveland 24, setting up a 7 yard run by bruiser Kevin Jacobs. The Giants led 7-3 early in the second quarter.

The Browns took over on their own 26, and Anderson bombed away to Edwards for a 70 yard gain, setting up 1st and goal at the 4. Jamal Lewis did the rest on the ground, and Cleveland was back on top 10-7. After a New York punt, Anderson led a 77 yard drive over 5 1/2 minutes. Anderson hit Dinkins on a 22 yard touchdown pass to put the Browns up 17-7 with 2:15 remaining in the half.

Manning ran the 2 minute drill to perfection, and in a play reminiscent of the most recent Superbowl, Manning found Plaxico Burress on a fade route in the corner of the end zone with seconds left. The 3 yard touchdown pass put the Giants within 17-14 at halftime.

Manning opened the second half by throwing his second interception, allowing Cleveland to start at the New York 46. Cleveland ran a double reverse that went for 33 yards, setting up a field goal to go up 20-14. After a New York punt, Cleveland began at their own 13, after a false start, they moved 92 yards, on a 14 play drive that ate up 8:16 off of the clock. Anderson passed to Edwards for the 11 yard touchdown that put the Browns up 27-14 on the first play of the 4th quarter.

Manning then led a nearly 7 minute drive from the New York 14 to the Cleveland 9. He then threw a touchdown pass to Eric Wright. Unfortunately for Manning, Wright plays for the Browns. Manning;s 3rd interception was returned by Wright 94 yards to what Stuart Scott would refer to as the “hizzy.” The 2 point conversion gave the Giants their first loss of the season. Manning did bring the Giants back to within the Cleveland 10, but a poorly thrown 4th down pass was dropped in the end zone.

While the Browns had several false starts on offense, they had zero punts, gave up zero sacks, and had zero turnovers. This was the difference, especially in the 4th quarter. 35-14 Browns

eric

My Interview With Miss Texas

Saturday, October 11th, 2008

At the 2008 Republican Convention in Minnesota, I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting Miss Texas, who is competing in the Miss America Pageant. Her real name is Rebecca Robinson.

http://www.missamerica.org/competition-info/national-contestants.aspx?state=Texas&year=2009&GO=GO!

What was unexpected about the meeting was that she came up to me, and not the other way around. For a guy who did not have phenomenal dating success in junior high school, the ego boost was pleasant. No matter how old a man is, hearing from a pretty woman that he did something worthwhile is nice.

Apparently she had observed me taking on some left wing protesters, and she liked what I had to say. She told me that she though it was cool that I let the protesters have it.

So Miss Texas thinks I am cool. How cool is THAT!

Anyway, while she is from Texas, and she was at the GOP Convention, the Miss America Pageant prevents her from discussing political issues. She agreed to do an interview with me provided that no politics was discussed.

1) Where is your next major appearance?

RR: “On January 24th of 2009, I will be at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, I will be competing in the Miss America reality show.”

2) Where can people go to learn more information about you?

RR: “They can go to

www.misstexas.org

3) Dallas Cowboys or Houston Texans?

RR: “The Dallas Cowboys! Definitely the Cowboys!”

4) Hank Hill or Boomhauer?

RR: “Oh no, ick! Neither!”

5) How would you like people to remember you?

RR: “As a nice person who cares about her family and friends. Hopefully as Miss America!”

It was fun meeting Rebecca Robinson. When I took a picture with her, people wanted us to “get closer.” I explained that I had a girlfriend, and did not want to get in trouble. When people asked me where she was, I explained that my girlfriend is a liberal.

Ms. Texas asked me how that works out, and I told her that we love each other. I also said to Miss Texas that “she is my Miss America.”

After the crowd went “awwwwwwwwww,” I realized what I had said and quickly told nearby reporters, “Hey, write that down!” The crowd laughed.

While the Chicago Cannonball is the love of my life, it is nice to know in case my single friends ask me, that gorgeous and smart women can be found in places such as the GOP Convention.

All I can say is Rebecca Robinson is no powder puff. She can hold her own. Texas women are tougher than many Northern men. So the phrase does apply to her when I say, “Don’t mess with Texas.”

Yet if you’re real nice, and take on some protesters, you might get lucky enough to get to meet a pretty cool lady. I wish her luck in the Miss America Pageant.

eric

Ideological Bigotry Part XVI–Yom Kippur and Lesbianism

Friday, October 10th, 2008

On Wednesday night, I began the celebration of the holy day of Yom Kippur. The holiday is about apologizing for our transgressions, and promising to be better people. I have my private conversations with God, and vow sincerely to try and do better.

One thing I am truly thankful for is that there are many Synagogues within walking distance of home. Like other religions, Judaism has various denominations.

I live near UCLA, which has a Hille House. “Hillel” is the center for Jewish life on college campuses. Many colleges have a Hillel. Given that Hillel is specifically a place for students to feel welcome, it is supposed to be non-partisan. If you ask Hillel directors, they will claim that Hillel actually is non-Partisan. Then again, most liberals in the media think that they are fair as well, and perhaps Hillel truly believes its own leftist spin.

My goal here is not to bash Hillel. My goal is to reform it. I deeply believe in what Hillel is intended to do. I am even more deeply troubled by what it has become on many campuses, including UCLA.

I walked into the building to see some friends, and the service was nearing the end. I had already been to services at the local Chabad House, where the closest that the Rabbi came to political speech was to condemn the leader of Iran for wanting to kill all Jews.

Yet the Hillel guest speaker spent several minutes talking about gay and lesbian issues, and how it is important that gays and lesbians be treated better in society.

I was not in the room. I stayed in the back, outside the doors. As the speaker continued talking about gays and lesbians, and the intolerance of some, I just shook my head in disbelief. The more she spoke, the more I shook my head.

I was shaking my head specifically because I do not believe that politics should be a part of a religious service. Politics should especially not be part of a Synagogue service on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. It is simply inappropriate. I would argue it is borderline illegal, and that UCLA Hillel is coming close to violating the rules for a tax exempt organization.

Liberal activists do not understand that to preach the need for tolerance while lashing out at others as intolerant is simply wrong, and hypocritical. UCLA Hillel again showed that ideological bigtory is rampant in the Jewish community, and that diversity and toleranc eonly apply to liberal ideals.

I want to make it crystal that the speaker, at least while I was there, did not bash republicans. She passionately plead for more love and acceptance of gays and lesbians, but did not lash out at conservatives. Had her speech been the only event that occurred, I would have considered the evening ideologically slanted, but not ideological bigotry.

Where the line got crossed was in my first and hopefully last meeting with an Operations Director for UCLA Hillel. I am prepared to name names, since I know I am teling the truth. His name is William Calder.

I had never met Mr. Calder before, and was shocked when he came up to me and said, “You need to leave.”

I was stunned. Several minutes earlier he asked me if I wanted to pull up a chair. I told him I preferred to stay outside the room. My rationale was that pullinjg up a chair would have made noise, and I do not like interrupting speakers.

I asked him very quietly why I had to leave. I was not bothering anybody. I did not even open my mouth. He explained that he “saw me shaking my head.” He firmly stated that “this is a liberal service.”

I told him that I was not shaking my head because of that. I was shaking my head for my own personal reasons based on my private thoughts.I then told him that I was pro-gay rights.”

He then said, “Oh, ok. Well your shaking your head could be misinterpeted.”  He then walked away and left me alone.

For those who do not understand how serious this is, I was asked to leave a Synagogue. I was not asked to leave for saying anything. People who disrupt such speakers should be asked to leave. Freedom of speech does not give one the right to disrupt speeches. That is just rude.

However, I was asked to leave because Mr. Calder THOUGHT that I was THINKING something that he disagreed with.

This is liberalism at its very heart. Actions are irrelevant. Deeds do not matter. Being politically correct is all that matters. This is why we have hate crime legislation, because liberals think that certain crimes should be punished more than others. All crimes are hate crimes. Yet people should be punished for the crime itself, and the level of culpability based on intent. The gender or race or sexual orientation of the victim does not make them any more or less dead.

William Calder made it clear that people who did not support the gay and lesbian agenda were unwelcome at that Synagogue. He thought that I was shaking my head in disagreement with the speaker. Even if he was right, which as a liberal of course he was wrong, shaking my head in quiet disagreement is a patriotic form of dissent. I was not even in the room! I did not even say a word.

After the speech and the service ended, I went up to the speaker. She was a very pleasant woman. I told her that I was pro-gay rights, but that I had a concern. I did not bring up the inappropriateness of her speech. I really did not want a hostile conversation with no room for common ground.

I pointed out that I belonged to a minority gorup that has faced much hostility. I quietly whispered (it disgusts me that I should even have to do that, but such is the abusive nature of liberal Jews towards republcians that we have to stay in the closet out of fear.) that I was politically conservative.

She laughed, and said that her father was a republican. I let her know that one concern I had was that so many gay people were hostile towards republcians that they did not give them the benefit of the doubt. I told her that many Jeiwsh republicans are libertarian on social issues, but it is difficult to dialogue with gay gorups when they see republicans and say, “We hate you.”

This woman was very nice, and clearly understood. I just requested that in her speeches about tolerance, that she include that everybody must be given tolerance, including republicans. She agreed with me that by rejecting people out of hand, it could push them further to the right and away from supporting those issues.

The last thing I said to her was that, “You never know who may be a potential ally. I want to live ina  world where all people are free to live their lives and be treated with decency and respect, including republicans.”

I will again emphasize that she was very warm and pleasant. She did not seem to contain the hypocrisy that infects so many on the left in the Jewish community.

However, she does not run the Hillel. Mr. Calder is in a position of power, and had I not immediately professed my support for gay rights, I would have been subjected to left wing bullying. Worse, it would have been for thoughts, not actions.

Mr. Calder is in a position to influence and moold students, and if his behavior towards me was reflective of his typical disposition, then he is just another example of ideological bigotry in the Jewish community.

Some people have argued to me that in many Christian churches, it is a politically conservative message.

First of all, this does not make it ok. The analogy of two wrongs and a right applies here. Also, I am not a Christian. I do not go to Church, and am totally unqualified to evaluate how Churches behave. I would say that a Catholic Church arguing against abortion is not poltiical. It is in keeping with Church doctrine. However, telling people to vote against a pro-choice candidate may cross the line.

I only know my own community. Left wing bigotry is a cancer in the Jewish community, and I am mortified that the holiest day of the year was allowed to be perverted by such speech. No, I am not calling gay people perverts. I am referring to devaluing a religious holiday with political speech of any stripe.

Some will say that it is unfair to indict liberalism based on one unpleasant person.

Yet it is not one person. This is a problem that runs so deep. Mr. Calder is the norm. Left wing bullies are what much of Judiasm has become, and it has got to stop.

Even if I did not believe in gay rights, the God I believe in is the God of all.

Mr. Calder believed I was intolerant because of my supposed thoughts. I know Mr. Calder is intolerant based on his actions.

UCLA Hillel has a long way to go before it becomes a tolerant place free of ideological bigotry. A good start would be if Synagogues around America took the Calders of the world and forced them to sit quietly, and not judge people they do not know and have never met. Ductape can be very useful in situations like that.

Hineni. Here I am. I am republican, Jewish, proud, and tolerant of others. I wish those on the left that scream and rage about tolerance could understand that republicans deserve tolerance as well.

eric

Yom Kippur 2008

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

On Wednesday night, October 8th, 2008, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar arrived. Thursday, October 9th is Yom Kippur.

During the day on Wednesday, I will perform the ritual of Tashlich. I will find a body of water, and toss bread into the water, which will be snatched up by cute lil duckies and fishies. As I toss the bread, I apologize for various sins. It is about casting my sins away, and then I start over sin free. I will need several loaves of bread.

Then starting at sundown I will be fasting for 24 hours. Let’s just say I will be sleeping in on Thursday the 9th. Then as soon as the sun goes down on Thursday night, I will gorge, and spend Friday recovering. I might write a column on Saturday night if I am not too drained. Either way, one day of fasting a year is not a lot to ask. Ramadan is 30 days.

Yom Kippur is the day of atonement. I have made many mistakes, sinned many times, and have a list of transgressions I am not proud of. There is a time to be cavalier, such as my fake apology list.

https://tygrrrrexpress.com/2007/06/i-apologize-forwhat-am-i-supposed-to-be-sorry-for-again/

However, I mean it sincerely when I say that I do not wish God to shove a flamethrower up my rumpus. I really want to do better.

To quote John Cougar Mellencamp, in the song, “Check it out,” from the Lonesome Jubilee album, “Time to settle with my neighbor. Time to question my own behavior.”

I was going to post a list of all the things I did wrong, and how I plan to make amends, but I have decided to keep that between myself and God. It is not that I fear admitting my flaws. I am quite open about where I am deficient as a human being. It is just that even a loudmouth politico likes me needs some sincere private time with God.

I have said many things about people, and done things I wish I had not done. So for Yom Kippur, I am going to make several requests of my fellow Jews, and anybody else that wishes to atone for something.

To liberal Jews who preach tolerance and acceptance…I wish you would apologize for all the remarks you made about George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Disagree with them all you want, but hatred is poison, and no matter how much you may hate the Iraq War, speaking ill of these men is simply wrong. I disagree with the Clintons, but refuse to bash them personally.  I did at one point. I apologized for this, and have made my peace. If one person who has maintained hatred for the Dub and the Veep gives up this hatred, the world is a better place.

To an ex-girlfriend of mine from 13 years ago…your husband is one of my closest friends, and your continued hostility towards me, which he acknowledges is undeserved, hurts him. You will be asking God for forgiveness, but you have never accepted my overtures of peace. I offered peace 13 years ago, and wonder why the USA and Russia can shake hands but you and I cannot get along. Your husband is so hurt by our not getting along, and he knows that it is one directional hostility. I again offer you a hand of peace.

To the Chicago Cannonball…you are the love of my life.  I pray that I do not disappoint you. I thank God we met. I will do my best to not make mistakes, but just know my heart is in the right place, even when my brain is not. I love you very much.

To the readers of my blog, I try to maintain a position as a moderator. I hope I contribute positively to the blogosphere, and for those who want more, I am willing to listen. This does not mean agree, but I will listen.

As for certain relatives, just please respect my wishes.

As for various Rabbis, while you have welcomed me into your homes and your hearts, some of you have political views that just do not mesh with me. I want you to accept me regardless of my views, but not despite them, because my views make me who I am. I am not the “republican Jew.” I am a Jew who happens to be a republican.

I want to go to temple without hearing about Darfur, animal rights, global warming, and other aspects of Social Justice. I am tired of being told that being politically liberal is required for being a good human being and a good Jew. I would not mind if just one Rabbi talked about the value of human life, and how our soldiers are struggling for freedom so that all religions may worship in peace.

I wish the Jewish members of Moveon, Kos, and the Huffington Post would apologize to General Petraeus. It is one thing to disagree with a man. It is another to denigrate that man. We have to respect those that disagree with us, or we lose our souls.

I pray for the good health of my parents and mourn my grandparents, the last of whom died 6 months ago. I wish that those who are in a position to visit loved ones would simply do so. At the very least, pick up a telephone as much as possible. It is too late when people are gone to wish we had told them we loved them.

Again, it may seem strange to use a holiday about self improvement to demand more of others, but I drive myself harder than any of you can imagine. Every year I debate whether my vow should be to be more patient or less patient.

I am not a patient person, but I do not want to lower my standards either.

What I want is to be perfect, and that will never happen. However, that is no excuse to throw in the towel on trying to improve at all.

To quote the 1960s group The Animals (redone in 2003 by Santa Esmeralda), “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good…oh lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.”

For the Jewish people of the world, a peaceful Yom Kippur to you all. For non-Jews everywhere that have goodness in your hearts, and zero malice towards another, I wish you happiness always.

eric

Election 2008–Presidential Debate II Recap

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

Brokaw Obama…excuse me, Barack Obama…and John McCain squared off in the second of their three Presidential debates. Tom Brokaw was the moderator, taking the baton from Gwen Ifill in the quest to elect Barack Obama.

Yes, it is 2 against 1, but such is life as a republican.

The candidates were asked what they would do to fix the current economic situation. Specifically, they were asked how retirees and older people could be “bailed out.” It was an interesting choice of words.

The candidates immediately got into it, deflecting blame for the current economic condition.

Obama began by saying that “this is the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.” He then added that “the last 8 years have been about stripping away all regulations and letting markets run wild.”

McCain countered by saying that “we need to keep all Americans’ taxes low, we should not raise taxes on anybody. I would let the Treasury Secretary buy up all the bad home loans in America.”

When asked who he would hire as Treasury Secretary, McCain said to Brokaw, “Not you Tom.” McCain mentioned Warren Buffett, and Obama supporter, and former EBAY CEO Meg Whitman.

Obama reaffirmed Buffett before lauching into the standard class warfare. He then continued to repeat the matra of cutting taxes for 95% of the middle class. It used to be 95% of all Americans. Now it is 95% of the middle class.

The next question dealt with the bailout, which McCain insisted on describing as a rescue. McCain mentioned how he suspended his campaign, as if that mattered.  McCain then said that “the catalyst that lit this fire was Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.” He said it was “because of Obama and his cronies.” He pointed out how the democrats stifled fixing Fannie and Freddie in 2006. “Senator Obama was the second highest recipient of Fannie money in history.” “Some of us stood up against it, while others took a hike.”

Obama blamed deregulation. He claimed that he never promoted Fannie Mae, and that “Senator McCain’s firm lobbied for Fannie Mae.”

When asked if the economy would get worse, Obama backtracked and said, “I am confident about the economy.” He then offered a platitude about a “20th century regulatory system for a 21st century financial system.”

McCain kept emphasizing the need to “stabilize housing markets by buying up the bad loans.”

http://michellemalkin.com/2008/10/07/mccain-wants-to-spend-300-billion-more-to-buy-up-bad-mortgages/

The candidates were asked why either of them should be trusted to handle the economy. Obama blamed President George W. Bush for the increase in the deficit and national debt. Obama spoke of “investments, which means spending. Obama insisted he had spending cuts, but would not say what any of them were.

McCain mentioned his support of Campaign Finance Reform with Russ Feingold and CLimate Change with Joe Lieberman. He mentioned how he was bipartisan and Obama was not. He mentioned looking at the websites of Citizens of Government Waste and National Taxpayers Union. He referred to the 3 million dollar earmark that Obama secured for an overhead projector for a planetarium in Chicago.

Between health care, energy, and entitlement reform, Brokaw asked which was most important.

McCain said that they could all be worked on simultaneously. He said the words “my friends,” repeatedly, but spoke about the 1983 deal between Reagan and Tip O’Neill that saved Social Security.

Obama said that energy “has to be dealt with today.” He again repeated his goal of being energy indpendent in 10 years, which is fantasy. He tried to justify this fantasy by pointing out that “JFK said we could go the moon in 10 years, and he had no idea how to do it.” Obama wanted to “go through the budget line by line and eliminate programs that don’t work.”  Somebody needs to tell him that the line item veto was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Obama then bashed tax cuts to businesses.

An elderly voter asked what sacrifices Americans should be asked to make.

McCain said that some programs would have to be eliminated. He spoke about some defense spending that is not working. Heaven forbid he mention wasteful social spending. That would take guts. McCain wants a spending freeze for everything except defense and Veterans Affairs.

Obama spoke about 9/11 and how we all came together. He even conceded that President Bush “did some smart things at the outset.” Yet he criticized the President for telling people to “go out and shop” at that moment. This is why Obama is an arrogant gasbag. He is armchair quarterbacking a situation of pure horror like the know it all that insists he would have done better. No, he would not have. Obama then spoke of how Americans “could save energy by weatherizing your home and buying American cars.” He then said he wanted to “double the Peace Corps.”

The candidates were then asked how Washington could break its bad habits with regards to easy credit.

Obama criticized McCain’s tax cuts again. “It is tough to ask a teacher making $35,000 per year to tighten her belt when CEOs are living high on the hog.” He called an across the board freeze on spending “unfair.” He said that “McCain wants to take a hatchet, I want to take a scalpel.”

McCain then lit into Obama. “Nailing down Obama’s tax plan is like nailing jello to the wall. He has 5 or 6 of them, and will soon have anothyer one. Obama will raise taxes on 50% of small businesses, who will have to cut jobs.” Raising taxes and encouraging protectionism is what Herbert Hoover did.” He quoted Obama, who previously said that he would forego tax hikes if the news was bad. He turned to Obama and said, “the news is bad.” He then said, “I am not favoring tax cuts for the welathy. I am in favor of leaving them alone. Let’s not raise anybody’s taxes.”

The candidates were asked if they would demand a 2 year date certain to fix Social Seucrity and Medicare.

Obama danced by saying that he would not guarantee to do it in 2 years, but he would do it in his first term. He then shifted back to taxes, and repeated his 95% tax cut lie. He insisted that most small businesses make less than $250,000 per year, and would have their taxes cut. Obama complained that McCain’s tax cuts were “not fair,” repeating what Joe Biden said in his Vice Presidential debate Vs Sarah Palin.

McCain said, “Social Security is not that tough.” He pointed out that it required working together, and Obama “never took on his own party. He said that “Medicare was tougher.” He wanted a bipartisan commission. McCain then went back to taxes, repeating that “Obama’s rhetoric does not match his record.” Obama “promised a middle class tax xut while running for the Senate, but never proposed it upon getting elected.”

A stupid question was asked about climate change, and what could be done to fix it in 2 years. I wonder how the woman who asked it snuck into the hall. It is not a crisis, and it does not need to be dealt with this minute. The question kept McCain babbling about how loyal a democrat he could be on the issue, and kept him from talking about anything that mattered.

McCain did manage to talk about the need for nuclear power, but when you are behind in the polls, questions that run out the clock are not good in a debate. This question was so pro-Obama that I am shocked Brokaw did not ask it himself.

Obama kept insisting that he favored nuclear power. Nothing has been done on energy for 30 years, and McCain was there for 26 of those years. He voted 23 times against alternative fuels. Obama then said that drilling was “important.” He then said we could not “drill our way out of the problem.” He is rabidly anti-drilling, but clever about staking his position.

Brokaw asked if we needed a Manhattan Project of environmentalism.

McCain pointed out the Bush-Cheney energy bill that was loade dup with pork got a “yes” vote from Obama, while McCain voted against it. McCain then emphasized the importance of drilling to bring the price down. “We have got to0 drill offshore, and we have got to do it now.”

The candidates were then asked if health care should be treated as a commodity.

I resisted the urge to throw my keyboard out the window. Maybe the War on Terror is over, and mentioning Islmaofacism is unnecessary. Let’s talk about trees instead.

Obama naturally said he would “work with employer to lower premiums.” He also said that “nobody will be excluded for preexisting conditions.” Obama disagrees with McCain’s plan.

I disagree with pathetic excuse of a debate. Sarah Palin needed to shoot a moose outside to wake me up. This was a debate about nothing.

McCain pointed out that Obama’s plan is all about what government will do, which includes mandates. McCain is offering a refundable tax credit of $5,000. He dislikes Obama’s plan. Stop the presses. He said “we have got to give people choice in America. We cannot mandate it.”

Brokaw asked if health care was a privilege, a right, or a responsibility.

McCain stated that it was a responsibility, but that under Obama’s plan, people get fined for failing to comply. He also mentioned that the amount of fine was never disclosed by Obama.

Obama said health care was a right, and spoke about his grandmother dying of cancer at age 50. Obama insisted his plan did not have mandates. Again, this is not true. He then in the next sentence said that “you are going to make sure that your child has health care.” That is called a mandate. Obama wants government to “crack down on insurance companies that are cheating their customers.” Obama is so brave. I think it should be illegal to molest puppies, and those who do should be punished. Being crooked in business is already illegal.

http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog/g/c3182f00-a01d-427b-811f-c8fc2c32cc27

McCain again pointed out that the size of the fine was not disclosed.

The debate then turned to foreign policy, thank God.

The first question was about American’s being peacekeepers.

McCain called Anerica, “the greatest force for good in the history of the world. We are peacemakers and peacekeepers.” He then brought up his experience. He said Obama “was wrong about Iraq and the surge, and was wrong about Russia. He does not understand our national security challenges.”

Obama then said that “he did not undertsand how we invaded a country that had nothing to do with 9/11.” He said McCain was “cheerleading to go into Iraq.”

I was hoping McCain would for once mention that had Obama been in power, Saddam Hussein would still be in power. I ask for way too much. All I know is Rudy Giuliani would take a brickbat to the pathetic arguments of the left. McCain is a gentleman, allowing him to lose honorably as the left thanks him and kicks him simultaneously.

The candidates were then asked about the McCain and Obama Doctrines on using force for places like the Congo or Rwanda, where there are no national security issues at stake.

Obama said there were “moral issues at stake,” and had the gall to bring up the Holocaust. Obama knows nothing abuot the Holocaust. He should talk to my dad, who backs McCain. Obama then said that we cannot go everywhere. The only thing everywhere all over the map was Obama’s position. I still have no idea where he stands on this issue.

McCain pointed out that Obama’s approach on Iraq would have brought the troops home in defeat, rather than victory. He then used the phrase “my friends” a few more times. McCain pointed out that he has a “cool hand at the tiller.” He criticized the mission in Somalia. He pointed out that we “withdrew in humiliation.” McCain emphasized that the key was whether America could “beneficially affect the situations.”

The next question was whether or not we should go into Pakistan to capture Al Queda detainees.

Obama went into his stump speech about how George W. Bush is to blame for Osama Bin Laden not being captured. He then lied and said Al Queda was stronger than at any time since 2001. No, they are not. Their plans have been severely disrupted. Obama then said we “cannot coddle Pakistan, led by a dictator.” Obama has no clue about why we needed to work with Musharraf. Yet he insists he wants to crush Al Queda.

McCain criticized Obama for his belligerence towards Pakistan. Working with a nation means working with them. Bellicose rhetoric towards them only pushes them away. McCain pointed out that “we need the support of the Pakistani people.” This is how counterinsurgencies succeed.

Obama tried to defend himself, saying that McCain is the one that has spoken irresponsibly on Baghdad and Iran. Obama then laced into Musharraf again.

McCain said that unlike Obama, he would not “telegraph his punches. I will act responsibly as I have my entire military career and Senate career.”

Brokaw then quoted a couple generals that said Afghanistan was lost. Can we get one moderator that is not a left wing partisan shill?

Obama repeated that we need to work with the Karzai government. Obama claimed that he talked to tough to Karzai. Again, he has no idea what he is doing. That is the wrong approach.

McCain cited General Petraeus, who actually does know what he is talking about. McCain pointe dout that Obama will “still not admit he was wrong about the surge in Iraq.”

The debate then shifted to Russia, and how to deal with them without having anotehr Cold War.

McCain made clear that we would not have another Cold War. McCain talked bellicose on Vladimir Putin, which is the same mistake Obama makes regarding Musharraf and Karzai. McCain did mention including Georgia and the Ukraine in NATO. However, blasting Putin will not help.

Obama said that we need to do more than provide moral support. We need to provide them with financial support. Obama insisted that he took a clear initial stand on Russia. This is not the case. He stayed silent. He also said American foreign policy was “reactive, and that we should anticipate problems before they happen.”

The candidates were asked if Russia under Vladimir was an evil empire.

Obama said that some of their actions were evil, which did not answer the question.

McCain sounded like an adult when he said “maybe,” and then clarified that comment. “If yes, we are reigniting the Cold War, and if no, we are condoning their behavior.”

The candidates were then asked if they would commit troops to defend Isreael if Iran attacked, or if they would wait for the U.N. Security Council.

This was a gift question to McCain.

“We would not wait for the U.N. Security Council. Russia and China would be obstacles.” This was like the end of McCain’s speech at the Convention. McCain was dull until the very end. On this question McCain looked like he had down a 6 pack of Jolt Cola. He spoke about a dangerous Iran bad for the entire Middle East. “We can never allow a second Holocaust to take place.”

Obama then said that “we cannot allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon.” He keeps saying this is “unacceptable.”

I want every Jew in the world to understand that Obama speaks of Israel in cold, detached terms. He is not anti-Semitic, but there is no warmth. McCain truly and passionately supports Israel.

The question was about Iran attacking Israel, and Obama was babbling cost benefit analyses of energy prices. Obama then said he wants “direct talks with our enemies to talk toughly.” Obama then said “it may not work.”

No, Mr. Obama. It will not work.

Obama blamed President Bush over North Korea, saying failing to dialogue created the problem. Wrong again. It was Bill Clinton accepting dialogue at face value when the entire world outside of liberals understood that people like Kim Jong Il lie. Bill Clinton was naive, and so is Barack Obama.

The last question was “what don’t you know, and how will you learn it?”

It was a stupid question, and Obama said that he would ask his wife Michelle. Obama then said “it is not the challenges that you expect, it is the ones you don’t.” Absolutely brilliant. This guy is a scholar.

McCain said that what he did not know was what we all do not know, that “the challenges are unprecedented.” Thankfully, he will not consult Michelle Obama.

Overall this debate was a complete waste. Tom Brokaw should be waterboarded, or at least be forced to admit once and for all that he is a partisan liberal with no intention of being fair.

Both candidates were boring, listless, and lifeless, for much of the debate. McCain showed tremendous spark during the Israel discussion, but one fabulous moment cannot save an entire performance.

The debate was a draw because neither candidate was that terrific. A draw goes to the guy in the lead, which is Barack Obama. He stands for nothing, but all he needs to do is run and hide and the clock will run out soon enough. There is nothing republcians can do. John McCain will simply not go after him. He would rather be friends with Ted Kennedy and Russell Feingold.

Maybe Obama  can destroy Congressional and Gubernatorial majorities the way Bill Clinton did. I would be ok with that if we were at peace.

We are at war, and America does not care. The slick talker with the easy smile and platitudes is ahead of the sober adult.

It does not matter who is right if they cannot market and communicate themselves. Obama is a talker and McCain is a doer. This does matter. The doer had better start talking passionately, and fast.

Sarah Palin gets it. When an anti-war heckler did his typical leftist thing, Palin shot back (figuratively, not literally) brilliantly by saying that, “My son is over in Iraq fighting for your right to be able to protest.”

McCain needs to get a spark. Get fired up. The way he talked about Israel needs to be how he talks about everything.

Obama and his smug “too cool for school” detached attitude is cocky and condescending, but unless McCain fights back, Joe Cool will slide and glide by. President Bush would never have let John Kerry get away with the eleitist garbage. McCain had better start getting tough.

I have tried my best, and I am throwing up my hands in despair. I cannot make John McCain want to win the election.

eric

Markets drop, liberals celebrate

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

The stock market dropped 800 points yesterday, the biggest one day drop ever in terms of points. It did recover to finish down 370 points, but it is down 30% from its high. Ordinary Americans are concerned. Liberals are popping champagne corks in celebration.

I have said on many occasions that for liberals, success requires failures. Bad news for ordinary Americans is splendid news for liberals.

Republicans control the White House, and if it will help get Barack Obama elected over John McCain, liberals would cheer the stock market dropping to 0.

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=308185654524278

For the sake of full disclosure, I am not worried. I am well diversified, and thankfully young enough at 36 to be able to wait 20 to 30 years. Not everybody has that time horizon, but for those with 15 years or more of earning power, calm down. This is not 1929. No, it is not the Great Depression despite what the Jayson Blair Times says.

Before getting to the politics of this situation, let’s start with some hard core finance. Wake up, I can try and explain this without being boring. This problem was caused because people tried to remove risk from the markets, which always fails, and increases the damage in the long run.

The recently approved bailout package was a terrible piece of legislative garbage, and deserved to go down in flames as the previous package did four days earlier. The entire rationale for the package was that without it, financial markets would collapse. This argument is…(grabbing a megaphone)…

GARBAGE!

Doing nothing was the right thing to do. It is what George Washington and the Founding Fathers wanted. Governments cannot affect supply and demand. They cannot strong-arm financial markets. Markets do what they want, regardless of whether governments need to get reelected. Perhaps Barack Obama can call the situation “unacceptable,” and simply tell the markets to be more polite, as he wants to do with Armageddonijad in Iran. Even John McCain fell victim to the notion that “doing something” meant doing something helpful.

Yet Presidential candidates can be allowed the occasional pander bear moment. Congress aggressively pushed the bailout package, and every member who voted yes should be pushed out of an airplane without a bailout package of their own.

So how did we get in this mess? Was it conservatism and deregulation? Absolutely, if one has no grasp whatsoever of facts.

For those that think that because they “read stuff,” and therefore, “know things,” I do this for a living, and have been in the industry for 15 years. My opinion matters. Yours…well…enough said.

This problem was caused by excessive regulation. Companies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should not even exist in America. They are like every other liberal parasite in America, from PBS to NPR. Nevertheless, leftists despise the private sector, and wanted government in the home lending business.

Businesses have criteria, and they exist to make money. They are not laboratories for social experiments. Yet Fannie and Freddie were ordered to make loans to more minorities, particularly black Americans. For some reason, even though Jews are a true minority in terms of world population percentage, Jews never get “minority” benefits. Perhaps we have not suffered enough, but that is for another time.

Anyway, leftists concluded that not enough black Americans owned homes, and therefore America was a racist nation as long as republicans were running the government. Therefore, to avoid having Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton marching in the streets (this was before Jesse threatened to castrate a black man who wanted to succeed without preaching racism and victimhood), bad loans were made.

President Bush allowed this to happen, and the irony is that he never got the credit when black home ownership was at an all time high. Yet of course he got the blame when the housing bubble burst, even though every bubble bursts by sheer definition alone.

Irresponsible buyers were allowed to buy due to political correctness. While some would argue that helping blacks own more homes would be positive, I ask them to look at what is going on. Once again, the left has helped blacks reach levels of financial misery not seen since before conservatives passed welfare reform in 1996.

1996 was also the year that Phil Gramm, a politically incorrect former Senator and economics professor…one of the few people that actually does know what he is talking about…led the repeal of Glass Steagal. Repealing this law is not why we are hurting. It is what is preventing total financial armageddon. Bank Of America could not have bought Merrill Lynch if this law still existed.

So liberal do gooders figured out that even if black Americans suffered, a bad economy hurts everybody, so at least we are now closer to equality.

Yet there is a more sinister reason why liberals love this shared misery. George W. Bush is President, and the entire Democratic Party platform is hatred of George W. Bush.

This is a man who has freed millions of people and given two nations in the Middle East a chance at humanity and dignity. This is a man who healed the nation after the worst terrorist attack on American soil.

This is a man that is gracious to people who want to destroy him and grind him into dust. His own supporters are frustrated by his refusal to verbally bash their skulls in.

The left hates him. They would rather destroy this economy than risk giving up the chance to destroy this President.

They would rather lose a winnable war than allow George W. Bush to win anything.

They would rather lose an American economy and a war than lose an election.

Am I saying that many on the left do not care about what is best for America?

I do not have to say this. They say it themselves.

Ask conservatives what they want for America. They want to win the War on Terror. The left wants to end it, and the right wants to win it.

Conservatives also want to lower taxes for everybody, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Whether one is gay, black, or Jewish, tax cuts help them all, especially if they are small business owners.

So what do liberals care about? Mainly abortion.

Without taking sides in the culture wars, ask most feminists in this country if they truly care about anything besides abortion. They will try to think of something else, but that is what they care about. Occasionally they care about animals and trees, provided that those animals and trees do not bring new animals or trees into the world.

So for those who care about more than just trees, bunny rabbits, and zygotes, here is the plain truth.

If the economy collapses, that hurts everybody. That means fewer abortion doctors. If terrorists attack, and kill everybody in a multi-hundred mile radius, they may end up blowing up abortion clinics, animal shelters, and yes, innocent trees (Although I maintain the trees and animals may not be innocent, and had it coming).

Liberals live in a black and white world where everybody on the left is virtuous and everybody on the right is evil.

Kwame Kilpatrick extends the misery of Detroit for decades, and the left blames George W. Bush, when not blaming Ronald Reagan.

Ray Nagin and Kathleen Blanco fall apart in New Orleans, and the left blames the President.

Black home ownership rises, and President Bush gets no credit. The bubble bursts and he gets all the blame.

Perhaps the left might want to blame Franklin Raines, the former CEO of Fannie Mae and advisor to Barack Obama. Yes, he is an advisor, despite protests to the contrary.

Now we have Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid ramming the mother of all disasters down American throats. House republicans tried to stop it, but did not have the votes.

What did the market do? It dropped anyway. Why? Because it wants to drop. Markets care about functioning properly, even if it affect elections.

The left needs to win this election. Optimism is not allowed anywhere. Once Barack Obama is elected, if this does happen, everything will be fine. The markets will recover and he will get the credit, even though he will have contributed nothing. This is the 1992 Bill Clinton economic plan. Be in the right place at the right time, get lucky, and take all the credit.

If Obama were to win, there would also be no homelessness in America. It might exist, but the media would not write about it. According to a chart I read, homeless people disappeared in 1993 and reappeared in January of 2001.

http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog/g/4b5f9fcb-1adc-42bb-9af0-eb28a08dfa69

If the stock market rises with John McCain as President, it will be because of the bailout package that democrats will claim is theirs and theirs alone. If Obama is elected and the market rises, it will be solely because of him. If the market collapses with John McCain, it is because he is George W. Bush’s twin brother. If the market collapses under Obama, it will be because he inherited a mess. The market hit an all time high under George W. Bush, but that will be discounted.

The left controls the cultural institutions in America, including the schools. They will teach that George W. Bush destroyed America. They will cite Oliver Stone, Michael Moore, and the Jayson Blair Times as evidence. The children will not learn that those that use government to control markets are repeatedly wrong, and those that let free markets reign benefit.

Yet truth is not what motivates the left. They want to win elections. That is the end, not even the means. Even if what they create fails, such as the Great Society, they will just claim success anyway. Even if Ronald Reagan creates an 18 year bull market thanks to lowering tax rates, the left will say he is wrong anyway.

The left will blame Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Dan Quayle, Sarah Palin, and John Ashcroft, who has nothing to do with economic policy.

So as the market drops, liberals can take comfort in knowing that they now have more reasons to convince people about the evils of George W. Bush. After all, who cares about making society better when the left can invest their money in voodoo dolls of republicans?

The left will now hold hearings to determine how to blame President Bush for a crisis that the left perpetuated. The left will rial in front of the cameras about greedy CEOs an crooked lenders, when the truth is that Christopher Dodd should be sitting in jail, and Barney Frank should be investigated thoroughly as well.

I just worry that John McCain may win this election. The rage that has engulfed the left will spread like colon cancer, or as we call it in failed neighborhoods, community organizers. The left will need to prove that McCain is a failed President before he is even sworn in. They will have to destroy Sarah Palin the way they did Dan Quayle.

The left will have to destroy this economy and cripple us militarily because American success cannot be allowed if conservative republican success comes with it.

Conservatives benefit when we all benefit.

Liberals benefit when people remain trapped in a downward spiral of dependency on government.

This is why liberals cannot govern, win a war, or help an economy.

They cannot fix things, because they only know how to destroy. Their existence depends on it.

I would rather crush liberalism than crush America itself.

eric

My Interview With Speaker Newt Gingrich

Monday, October 6th, 2008

At the 2008 Republican Convention in Minnesota, I had the pleasure of interviewing former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

http://newt.org/

http://www.winningthefuture.net/

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/30/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4490142.shtml

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,426221,00.html

While most of the debate was on the record, a question I asked him off the cuff, while eliciting a hilarious response, was off the record. Ironically, this occurred while Speaker Gingrich was doing an interview with Greta Van Susteren, who hosts “On the record.” It as during a commercial break, and before my formal interview with him. Later on, when I asked him about it, he made his request, and I let him know that I had no interest in knifing him. While Speaker Gingrich is controversial to this day, there is no doubt that many reporters wanted to destroy him simply because he was a conservative that successfully implemented a conservative agenda. Therefore, the off the record question will be partially redacted. The answer will not get the Speaker into any hot water as long as the question itself is partially redacted. I prefer this method since his answer was too funny to ignore.

With that, below is the on the record portion of my interview with Speaker Newt Gingrich.

1) Who are your 3 political heroes?

NG: “George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan.”

2) What are the defining issues of the 2008 Presidential campaign?

NG: “Reform, peace, prosperity, and the fight for freedom. We have to improve the way we govern and reform the governing process if we are going to tackle the big issues such as terrorism.”

3) How would you like to be remembered 100 years from now? What would you like people to say about Newt Gingrich the person?

NG: “As a citizen who loved his family and loved his country.”

4) Can you please explain to (names redacted) the importance of Israel?

NG: “No. I have tried for years. Now I only focus on solving what is reasonable and achievable.”

5) The democrats have Barack Obama and John Edwards. Republicans have John McCain, Fred Thompson, and Rudy Giuliani. Are the democrats bigoted against the follically challenged, and can we finally break the glass ceiling and elect a bald President?

NG: “That’s clever. Yes we can, but remember our history. We had Dwight Eisenhower, and he was bald.”

6) Do you have any thoughts to offer regarding Sarah Palin?

“There is zero doubt in my mind…absolutely no doubt…that Sarah Palin is more qualified to be President than Barack Obama. John McCain made a great pick in Sarah Palin.”

I would like to thank Speaker Gingrich for his time and geniality. I also should have known better than to try and get the follically challenged question past a historian. Before entering politics, Newt Gingrich was a history professor. He has a deep love of animals, and has often expressed his desire in the past to be a zoo keeper. Actually, given the state of Congress, that was what he did as House Speaker from 1994 through 1998.

I would also like to thank Speaker Gingrich for being what his former press secretary Tony Blankley described him to me as…”the second tranche of the Reagan Revolution.”

Speaker Gingrich is a conservative in the truest sense of the word. Like me, he was not happy with the bailout package. He wants republicans to get back to the principles of Edmund Burke, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan.

I would second that notion, and say that for those who do not know their history that far back, or are too young to remember President Reagan, we should at least go back to 1994. The republican party needs another Contract With America, and needs to implement every plank.

The Congress needs to go back to the conservative principles of Newt Gingrich.

eric

NFL 2008–Week 5 Recap

Sunday, October 5th, 2008

I just want my readers to know that my dedication to watching football and blogging about it remains sky high. I watched and blogged from 4 locations today, most of them disclosed. I watched the 1st half of the early games in the living room of my parents in sunny South Florida. The 2nd half of the early games were watched at the Palm Beach airport. The internet connection even worked on the plane until we took off. My connecting flight from Atlanta to LA was a blessing because they had DirecTV. The late games had already ended, but the night game was in full view for me. I did not have internet access, but could access Microsoft Word. This explains the 2 different fonts. It beats having to come home exhausted. The final it of blogging was done from my home in Los Angeles. So yes, I am watched and blogged across America today. If I am not your hero, reevaluate your priorities.

For the 5th straight week, the Tygrrrr Express is in a different city watching football. For the 4th straight week, it will not be at my home in Los Angeles. After a 24 hour stop from New York to Atlanta, the Tygrrrr Express is now in South Florida. Later tonight I get to sleep in my own bed for 5 whole days before heading back to New York. Nevertheless, nothing cures exhaustion, or any other problem for that matter, than a healthy dose of the National Football League.

Unfortunately, my flight is during the games, rendering my recaps as substandard as ever.

The Oakland Raiders have their bye week, so this is the week where I relax and decompress before the stress of the last few years resumes next week.

With that, below is the recap of Week 5.

Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens–Several years ago this was a rivalry between the top defenses in the league. It may be again. Ray Lewis is still the emotional leader for Baltimore, while Jeff Fisher continues to get superior play from a team without many known superstars. A blocked field goal for a touchdown propelled the Ravens to their championship over a stunned Tennessee. A couple years later a successful field goal allowed the Titans to win going away in Baltimore. As expected, this game was a bare fisted slobberknocker on defense.

After a 3-3 first half, Joe Flacco led the Ravens 71 yards over 11 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. McClain cracked the end zone from a yard out to put the Ravens up 10-3. With 13 minutes remaining, Kerry Collins moved Tennessee to the Baltimore 8, but the Titans had to settle for a 26 yard Rob Bironas field goal. With 6 minutes remaining in the game, Collins led the Titans from their own 20 all the way down the field. An 11 yard pass to Algae Crumpler just inside the 2 minute warning had the Titans up 13-10. Flacco got the Ravens several yards shy of midfield, but he never got the chance to throw the hail mary. He spiked the ball with 2 seconds left, but a false start on the spike ended the game. The Titans are 5-0, and winning ugly. Then again, for those who like watching a typical Titans game against the Ravens, this was sheer beauty. 13-10 Titans

Kansas City Chiefs @ Carolina Panthers–Carolina held the ball for 39 minutes and outgained the Chiefs 441-127. After the 1st quarter, Jake Delhomme had 104 yards passing. Damon Huard had 6. The Panthers began their second drive at the Kansas City 46, and the short field led to a 10 yard touchdown run by Williams to put Carolina up 7-0. In the 2nd quarter, Delhomme found Williams for a 25 yard touchdown pass. Later in the quarter, a 6 minute drive ended when Williams broke off a 32 yard touchdown run to have Carolina up safely 21-0. The game was a blowout, and the mercy rule prevents me from elaborating on the relatively uneventful 2nd half. 34-0 Panthers

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions–The Bears may not be that good, but the Lions are as bad as ever. Kyle Orton had a 9 yard touchdown pass to Matt Forte and a 12 yarder to Devon Hester to take a 17-0 halftime lead. In the second half, Orton found Marty Booker for 30 yards, setting up a 1 yard run by Forte took put the Bears safely up 24-0. Orlovsky came in for Jon Kitna, as if the last half a century was Kitna’s fault. Orlovsky threw a 26 yard touchdown pass to Charles Tillman. Unfortunately for the Lions, Tillman plays for the Bears, and the interception had Chicago up 31-0. This did not take away from the pain of the Cubs, but this blog is about football. 34-7 Bears

Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers–This used to be Michael Vick vs Brett Favre. Now we have the eras of Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers. The Falcons took the opening kickoff and marched 68 yards. On 3rd and goal from the 1, Turner was stuffed. On 4th and goal from the 1, Ryan threw a touchdown pass to Peelle. After a punt, Turner ripped off a 22 yard run to set up a 42 yard Jason Elam field goal to put Atlanta up 10-0 after the 1st quarter. The Packers then moved 87 yards, as Rodgers hit Donald Driver with a 44 yard touchdown pass to pull Green Bay to within 10-7. The Falcons went up 17-7 on a 22 yard touchdown pass from Ryan to White. The Packers had a field goal nullified by a penalty before the half ended.

The Packers closed to 17-10 after a 12 play, 6 1/2 minute drive, and then tied the game ona 25 yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Greg Jennings. The Falcons went back up 20-17. The key play in the game occurred with 4 1/2 minutes remaining. Rodgers was intercepted by Boley at the Green Bay 35, and Boley returned it to the 19, setting up the touchdown with 3 1/2 minutes remaining to put the Falcons back up by 10.

Rodgerrs found Jennings for 36 yards on the next drive, setting up a 4 yard touchdown pass to Lee with 2 minutes remaining. It was not enough, as the onsides kick failed. 27-24 Falcons

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans–This game was ridiculous. Both quarterbacks started red hot. Peyton Manning was 9 for 11 for 93 yards, and Sage Rosenfels, filling in for Matt Schaub, was 6 for 6 for 64 yards. The 1st quarter belonged to the Colts, with an Adam Vinatieri field goal and a Joseph Addai run from a yard out putting the Colts up 10-0. After several Rosenfels passes, Slaton burst through from a yard out in the 2nd quarter to pull the Texans to within 10-7. Kris Brown tied the game up 10-10. When Rosenfels found Andre Johnson with 27 seconds left in the half, The Texans had surged to a 17-10 lead.

After a Colts punt, the Texans began a drive with 9 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter. The Texans then went from their own 9 in 15 plays, eating up 8:47 off of the clock. With seconds left in the period, a field goal had them up 20-10. On the next drive, Slaton ran 41 yards to set up a 1 yard run by…yes…Slaton. The Texans led 27-10. 27 unanswered points, in what was to be the shocker of the day.

Yet Peyton Manning is simply insane. Yes, there was plenty of luck, but this game will be talked about long after Manning retires a sure first ballot hall of famer. With 8 minutes left, from his own 19, he led an 11 play drive that ended in a 7 yard pass to Santi with 4:14 remaining. The Colts trailed 27-17, and the onsides kick failed, which should have ended the game.

On 3rd and 8 form the Indy 40, Rosenfeld came up a yard short of the 1st down. Wore than that, he fumbled the ball, and Gary Brackett ran it back 68 yards for a touchdown to pull the Colts within 27-24. After a touchback, Rosenfels fumbled again, and the Colts began at the Houston 20. Addai ran 15 yards, and then Manning found Reggie Wayne for the 5 yard touchdown pass. 2 1/2 minutes still remained, but psychologically the Texans were just done. Yes, the Colts deserved to lose. No, winning this game should not paper over serious problems with the Indy offense. Yet champions  make the most of dumb luck, which Houston provided an abundance of.  21 points in 2 minutes, all with less than 5 minutes remaining, did in Houston. Rosenfels was intercepted to seal the come from behind shocker.  31-27  Colts

San Diego Chargers @ Miami Dolphins–It took Bill Parcells 2 years to turn around the Giants and Patriots. He turned around the Cowboys in 1 year. With the Jets, he did it in one game. We now know the Dolphins have been turned around in 3 games. As for Norv Turner, he turns teams around in the opposite direction. The 14-2 Chargers of Marty Schottenheimer are gone.

Chad Pennington, started 9 for 10 for 98 yards. A 17 yarder touchdown pass to Camarillo put the Dolphins up 10-3 in the 2nd quarter. The Dolphins continued to run their “Wildcat” formation with direct snaps to the running back, and threw in some no huddle offense for good measure. It confounded New England last week, and a direct snap to Ronnie Brown went for a 5 yard touchdown and a 17-3 Miami lead at the break.

The second half was about defense. Philip Rivers found former Miami wide receiver Chris Chambers for a 17 yard touchdown pass to cut the gap to 17-10. On the next San Diegon drive, they reached the Miami one yard line. On 4th and goal from the 1, Ladnian Tomlinson was stoned up the middle. 10 minutes remained, and the goal line stand energized the Dolphins. Yet despite moving from their own 1 to the San Diego 38, the Dolphins decided to punt. It did not matter, as the Miami defense matched San Diego in heart. The Dolphins ran out the clock to preserve the win. They are 2-2, and the Norvelous Chargers are again 1-3. 17-10 Dolphins

Seattle Seahawks @ New York Giants–the defending champs jumped all over Seattle from the start. beginning on their own 9, the remaining 91 yard came easily. Brandon Jacobs ripped off a 44 yard run, setting up a 32 yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Dominic Hixon. After a Seattle field goal, Manning ripped off passes of 22 and 29 yards to Amani Toomer, setting up Brandon Jacobs from 3 yards out. Big blue led 14-3 at the end of the 1st quarter, and added a field goal seconds into the 2nd quarter. This game was over by halftime as an 11 play, 6 1/2 minute drive led to a 1 yard Jacobs plunge. The Giants led 27-6 at the break, and continued to pour it on in the second half.

The Giants took the kickoff, and 3 minutes later, Manning found Moss for 23 yards and a 34-6 drubbing. The Giants added a field goal, and Manning then found Moss again for 5 yards to make the demolition 44-6 with almost the entire 4th quarter to play. The score stood. 44-6 Giants

Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles–Philly began with a 80 yard, 12 play, 6 1/2 minute drive that ended in a 9 yard run from Bryan Westbrook. the Redskins had a less successful drive, with 3 incomplete Jason Campbell passes that took off 22 seconds from the clock. The ensuing punt was returned 68 yards for a touchdown to put the Eagles up 14-0 after the 1st quarter. Yet Washington slowly fought back. 3 field goals in the 2nd quarter, the last 2 in the final 2 minutes of the half, had Washington down only 14-9 at the half.

In the 3rd quarter, Jason Campbell handed of to Antwon Randle-El, who threw an 18 yard halfback option pass to put the Redskins up 16-14. After a short punt, the Redskins took over at the Philly 43. Clinton Portis did the rest, as his 4 runs put the Redskins up 23-14 seconds into the 4th quarter.

The Eagles then mounted a 12 play, 7 1/2 minute drive that had them facing 2nd and 1 at the Washington 2 yard line. Westbrook was stuffed, and on 3rd and 1, Westbrook lost 3 yards. The Eagles did kick a field goal, but never got the ball back. The Redskins took over at their own 20 with 7:18 remaining, and Clinton Portis converted on 4th and 1 from the Philadelphia 38 with 2:48 left to put the final nail in the coffin. The Redskins under Jim Zorn have very quietly won 4 straight games after an opening day loss on the road to the defending champion Giants. 23-17 Redskins.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Denver Broncos–This was a 6-6 bonelock until 6 minutes remained in the 3rd quarter. A short swing pass from Jay Cutler to Brandon Stokely put the Broncos up 13-6. The Broncos led 16-6 after a 14 play, 6 minute drive ended with 12 1/2 minutes remaining. The Bucs did manage a touchdown to pull it to within 3 points, but took 13 plays and 5 1/2 minutes to do it. Only 2:02 remained, and the Buccaneers never got the ball back.

After a pair of shootouts followed by an embarrassing loss, the Broncos won a tight defensive game. Buc Ball exists, but this time the Buccaneers were on the losing end of it. 16-13 Broncos.

Buffalo Bills @ Arizona Cardinals–The Bills entered the game 4-0, with Trent Edwards playing solid and the defense helping in 3 come from behind wins. The Cardinals have a potent offense with Kurt Warner and his various weapons, but defense has been lacking. Nevertheless, today was all Arizona. Edwards was knocked out of the game with a concussion on the first series of the game. Backup J P Losman, who resembles Adam Sandler, could not recreate the magic of Bobby Boucher in “The Waterboy, although he did show shades of excitement early on.” The Cardinals harassed him all game, and the offense was unstoppable.

A 2 yard Warner toss to Fitzgerald and a 17 yard Hightower run had the Cardinals up 14-0. Losman then threw an 87 yard bomb to Lee Evans to pull within 14-7. A 1 2play, 6 minute drive ended with Edgerrin James plunged from one yard out to put Arizona up 21-7. Losman ran for 2 yards to pull the Bills to within 21-14, but Neil Rackers added a field goal from 47 yards out before end of the half.

The Cardinals only led 24-17 in the 3rd quarter, but Warner then found Larry Fitzgerald again for 2 yards to put the game out of reach. Hightower scored again form 2 yards out after another field goal to make the game a route. At 3-2, the Cardinals lead the NFC Worst, and still may have the Greatest Show in the Desert. 41-17 Cardinals

Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys–On the first play of the game, Carson Palmer was intercepted, setting up a field goal. A 33 yard touchdown run by Felix Jones followed by a 4 yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Jason Witten had the Cowboys up 17-0. They would not be cruising for long. A pair of field goals had it 17-6 at the half, and an 82 yard drive that took 11 plays and over 5 minutes ended in an 18 yard pass from Palmer to T J Houshmanzadeh to cut the gap to 17-13. A 3rd field goal had Dallas clinging to a 17-16 lead in the 3rd quarter.

With all the momentum, the Bengals tried an onsides kick that totally fooled Dallas. However, the Bengals fumbled the ball away on the drive. The Cowboys capitalized, as Romo threw a 57 yard touchdown pass to Terrell Owens to give the Cowboys some breathing room. Carson Palmer brought the Bengals right back, and a 10 yard touchdown pass to Houshmanzadeh had the Bengals within 24-22. The 2 point conversion failed. Yet Dallas and Romo kept firing, and the last touchdown pass, a 15 yarder to Crayton, put the game out of reach. Before the game T. O. and Ocho Cinco shared a photo with Jerry Jones. After the game they hugged warmly. The Bengals fell to 0-5, and the Cowboys improved to 4-1 with the win. 31-22 Cowboys.

New England Patriots @ San Francisco 49ers–Matt Cassell and J T O’Sullivan put on an aerial show. After both quarterbacks were intercepted, they settled down and began throwing touchdowns. O’Sullivan put the 49ers up 7-0 with a 16 yarder to Frank Gore. Cassel just did what his predecessor used to do. He went deep to Randy Moss for a 686yard touchdown pass to tie the game. O’Sullivan had the 49ers back on top 14-7 with a 6 yarder to Isaac Bruce, and a field goal by Grotkowski made it a 14-10 game. Then with seconds left in the half, the Patriots scored to take the 17-14 lead into the locker room on a 2 yard run by Kevin Faulk.

Both quarterbacks kept firing in the seconds half, but the Patriots had too much firepower. Another field goal and another touchdown extended the lead to 27-14. O’Sullivan did hit Bruce again for a 5 yard touchdown to close the gap to 27-21, but it was not enough. Gostkowski drilled a 49 yard field goal with several minutes remaining to ice it. 30-21 Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars is the Sunday night game. These teams have played some head knockers over the year. A blocked field goal for a touchdown on the final play of a Monday Night Football game gave the upstart Jaguars a shocker over Pittsburgh. During Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie season, he led the team to a gutty 17-16 win in Jacksonville. A 60 yard field goal attempt was barely no good, as Pittsburgh survived. Last year Jacksonville went into Pittsburgh twice and knocked them around. Mike Tomlin and Jack Del Rio are mirror images, emphasizing hard running and defense.

Ben Roethlisberger threw a 72 yard touchdown pass only 2 minutes into the game to Rashean Mathis. Unfortunately for Big Ben, Mathis plays for the Jaguars. Yet Roethlisberger came right back, and, led a 70 yard drive that took 12 plays and ate up 7 ½ minute of clock. A 1 yard touchdown pass tied the game 7-7. 10 minutes into the 1st quarter, David Garrard finally took the field. He went right to work. A 74 yard drive was aided by a defensive pass interference call at the 2 yard line, setting up Maurice Jones Drew for the go ahead touchdown.

Pittsburgh did manage to reach the Jacksonville 20 on their next possession, but a 3rd and 3 pass fell incomplete. The field goal made it a 14-10 game. After a Jacksonville punt, Roethlisberger found a wide open Nate Washington. The defensive breakdown resulted in a 48 yard touchdown pass with 9:20 remaining in the half to give the Steelers their first lead at 17-14. Jeff Reed nailed his 2nd field goal with 45 seconds left in the half to put the Steelers up 20-14.

Statistically Pittsburgh was dominating. They led in time of possession 21 minutes to 9. They had 300 yards of offense, with about 250 coming from Roethlisberger. The Jaguars had only about 50. Pittsburgh ran 46 plays to only 16 for Jacksonville. Although the score was close, the key in the 2nd half would be if the Jacksonville defense would be able to avoid exhaustion from being on the field so long.

Both of these normally well disciplined teams had personal foul penalties. In the first half, Pittburgh failed to convert a 3rd and 16, but were bailed out by a taunting penalty after the play. Seconds into the 4th quarter, a hit on a defenseless Jacksonville receiver after an incomplete pass kept a drive alive for the Jaguars. A 40 yard pass from Garrard to Walker set up a Garrard touchdown pass over the middle as the receiver split the seams. One minute into the 4th quarter had the Jaguars back on top 21-20.

With 6 ½ minutes left, Pittsburgh took over at their own 20. A 27 yard run by Mewelde Moore, filling in for the injured Willie Parker, had the Steelers on the move. Just before being sandwiched by 2 defenders, Roethlisberger hit Hines Ward for a gain to the red zone. 2:07 remained, but Big Ben was in pain. Nevertheless, on 3rd and goal from the 5, Roethlisberger hit Ward again for the touchdown with 1:53 remaining. A costly delay of game penalty forced Pittsburgh to try the 2 point conversion form the 7 yard line. It failed, but the Steelers led by 5 points. Jacksonville took over at their own 26 with 1:48 left. With 1:15 left, Jacksonville faced 4th and 9. The pass was caught before the marker, but pure courage resulted in stretching 2 defenders just past the marker. Garrard was sacked and fumbled. Jackonville recovered it, and the Jaguars were forced to take their final timeout with 36 seconds remaining. On 4th and 14 from his own 33, Garrard’s pass was batted down t the line of scrimmage. In a game with a pair of good defenses, defense won the day. The NFL will benefit if these teams meet again in the postseason. The Steelers snapped Jacksonville’s 4 game winning streak in the series. 26-21 Steelers

Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints was the Monday night game. Pierre Thomas returned the opening kickoff 56 yards to the Minnesota 47. With the short field, Drew Brees went right to work, and several plays later tossed a 15 yard touchdown pass to Devry Henderson to put the Saints up 7-0. After a punt and a touchback, Brees threw a 50 yard bomb to Henderson. The Saints were in total control of the game, but on 3rd and 1 in the red zone, a holding penalty negated the conversion. A field goal would have put the Saints up 10-0, but in the blink of an eye momentum had swung.

Kevin Williams blocked the kick of Martin Grammatica, and Antoine Winfield plucked it out of the air and raced for a touchdown to tie the game 7-7. Give credit to the Saints and Brees. They acted like nothing happened. Thomas again had a long kickoff return, this time to near midfield. Brees fired away at will, and had the Saints on the move again. The Saints again stalled in the red zone, and Grammatica this time nailed the 35 yard field goal to put the Saints up 10-7.

The Saints tried a surprise onsides kick, but it failed. The Vikings took over at the New Orleans 40. The Vikings did not pick up a first down, but a 53 yard field goal tied the game 10-10 with a minute left in the opening quarter. Despite having little to no offense, the Vikings had the advantage at the start of the second quarter. Antoine Winfield belted Brees, and ripped the ball out of his hands. The fumble set the Vikings up with 1st and goal at the 5. A pair of runs lost a couple of yards, but on 3rd and goal at the 9, the Saints jumped offsides. Given a second chance, Frerotte handed off to Chester Taylor. Taylor threw the halfback option pass to Fashenko. The Vikings had only 30 yards of offense, but led 17-10.

Yet Minnesota had no answer for Pierre Thomas, who for the 3rd time in 4 returns advanced to near midfield. With the Saints on the move, Reggie Bush fumbled. Although replays clearly showed Bush being grabbed by the facemask, there was no penalty call. The Vikings recovered the fumble. Gus Frerotte, still in for the benched Tarvaris Jackson, led the Vikings from the Minnesota 14. He took the Vikings down the field, and a 33 yard field goal had Minnesota up 20-10 at the half. The Saints dominated statistically, but were done in with 3 turnovers.

The 3rd quarter was fairly uneventful for 13 minutes, and the Vikings were in total control at this point. However, as earlier, football is a game of momentum. The Vikings had their big play when they were on the ropes, and the Saints returned the favor with 2 minutes remaining in the period. Reggie Bush, who had been bottled up all game, returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown, and the Saints were within 20-17. On the last play of 3rd quarter, the Vikings punted again, and Bush returned it again. He slipped and fell at midfield, the only thing keeping him from another touchdown return. That set up a 53 yard field goal by Grammatica, who drilled it. With 13-20 remaining, the game was tied 20-20.

The Vikings had to punt, and we all knew that there was no way the Vikings would punt the ball to Bush again. They would kick it out of bounds. There is absolutely no way they would kick it to him again. Several seconds later, unconfirmed rumors were that Minnesota Coach Brad Childress, who is bald, was told to either fire the special teams coach or be fired himself. During this “what the hell were they thinking?” moment, Bush ran a second punt back, this time for a 64 yard touchdown. Had he not slipped on the previous one, he would have taken 3 of them back. The Saints led 27-20 with 11:36 remaining. 2 punt returns for touchdowns in less than 2 minutes had swung the game.

Yet the pendulum swung back. Frerotte completed a 36 yard bomb just before getting belted. From the New Orleans 27, Tarvaris Jackson came in for one play as Frerotte put his eyeballs back in his face on the sidelines. After a penalty forced 3rd and 17, All Frerotte did was throw up a prayer before getting belted again. Bernard Berrian caught the 33 yarder for a touchdown to tie the game. Frerotte was 4 for 4 for 85 yards on the drive. With 7 minutes left, the game was deadlocked at 27-27. For those who like 3 yards and a cloud of dust, this game was boring. For those that like big plays over and over again, this was a thriller.

Drew Brees could have led a time consuming drive, but that is just not how this pinball machine of a game was being played. Brees hit Billy Miller for a 41 yard pass to the Minnesota 39. Minnesota got leveled at the end of the play, but the Saints were on the move with 5 minutes remaining. On 3rd and 1 from the 30, a wobbly Billy Miller returned, along with fan favorite Deuce McAllister. McAllister converted, and the clock kept moving. This was a game where the teams had under 100 yards rushing combined with 2:04 remaining. The Saints led in rushing 56-41, which was meaningless.

Grammatica was brought in for his 4th field goal attempt. From 46 yards out, the kick was wide left. Minnesota took over at their own 37 with 1:59 remaining and 2 timeouts. On 3rd and 3, Frerotte threw up a bomb into double coverage. The Vikings were given the defensive pass interference call that never gets called in that situation. The Vikings were at the New Orleans 14 with 1:11 left. The Saints had 2 timouts left, but on 3rd down the Vikings were able to grind down the clock. A 30 yard field goal attempt by Ryan Longwell with 16 seconds left was all that was needed. The kick was good.

With 13 seconds left, the Vikings decided to kick it deep to Reggie Bush just for the fun of it. No, not really. The squib kick was ready, and the Stanford Marching Band began to play. The Saints have had a kickoff return on several laterals before (although they missed the extra point and lost anyway). Nevertheless, Aron Stecker, who is not Reggie Bush, smartly took a knee to give Drew Brees 11 seconds to work with from 75 yards away. The hail mary was intercepted, and the Vikings survived what might so far have been the game of the year. 30-27 Vikings

eric

Friends and Heroes

Saturday, October 4th, 2008

The pressure of politics is in the Friday rear view mirror. It will poke its head out again on Monday, but not until football plays its proper role on Sunday.

Today is a Saturday of recognizing some heroes and acknowledging some friends. Two days ago I was in New York, and yesterday was Atlanta. Today begins a peaceful weekend in South Florida. Recharging the batteries does not prevent me from spreading some love across the blogosphere.

I shall begin by giving props to our military heroes. As vital as they are, I also support those that do more for them than I ever have.

The people at Soldiers Angels are angels themselves.

www.soldiersangels.com

For those wondering how to communicate with soldiers it is easy.

www.emailourmilitary.com

The most respected military blog in the country is Blackfive. i had the pleasure of meeting Matthew Burden, who runs it.

www.blackfive.net

For those who want to send care packages to the troops, there is Operation Gratitude.

www.operationgratitude.com

For those who truly care about our veterans, Vets For Freedom has some fabulous soldiers leading the way. Pete Hegseth, Jeremy Christiansen, Nathan Martin, and Jason Meszaros are some fine soldiers. It is an honor to have interacted with them.

www.vetsforfreedom.org

Tim Maxwell, an injured soldier, writes about injured soldiers. they have pride, dignity, and belief.

www.sempermax.com

A Leiutenant in the United States Navy informed me of his wonderful website, “Appeal for Courage.”

http://www.appealforcourage.org/

In addition to military heroes, the blogosphere consists of many people that have products that i may be adding to my blog in terms of style. I will not add every one of them, but they are all worth looking at.

www.precisenews.us

www.hotrantsmedia.com

www.outbrain.com

www.intensedebate.com

www.regator.com

www.goosegrade.com

One site that tries to take the fight against anti-Semitism to college campuses is Stand With Us.

www.standwithus.com

The quality improvements to my blog are solely the credit of a team led by a guy named Eliot. He is the fella behind Hotweazel.

www.hotweazel.com

Another fellow that has been enormously helpful, and is a good guy to boot, is Chad of the Grizzly Groundswell.

www.grizzlygroundswell.com

Evan Sayet has another comedy show coming up.

www.evansayet.com

His new site is Regular Folks United.

www.regularfolksunited.com

My friend Dr. Bill Smith is the place to go for information about Arkansas Politics.

www.arkansasgopwing.blogspot.com

My friend Michael runs a great website called Urban Conservative.

www.urbanconservative.com

My friend Laura has a new album out. She is a talented jazz singer.

www.laurawolfe.net

Lastly, I will be debating at USC Chabad on October 16th and UCLA on October 24th.

No, I did not forget that O.J. Simpson was found guilty at 11pm PST last night. Now Greta Van Susteren will never leave my television screen ever again. I will let Ms. Van Substanceless cover this story. I have better things to do. besides, today was a tough day for former running backs in general. Lawrence Phillips also was sentenced to a decade in prison.

I only get to see my parents a few days a year, so the rest of the day will be about them.

Happy Saturday everybody.

eric

Election 2008–Vice Presidential Debate

Friday, October 3rd, 2008

To quote the cast of the former MTV claymation program Celebrity Deathmatch, “At this point it’s all over but the shouting…and the kicking…and the punching…and the biting…”

Below is a hilarious mock headline.

http://www.ncobrief.com/index.php/archives/palin-the-death-monger/

Joe Biden brought his gaffe a minute machine to face off against Sarah Palin, the newest conservative that the deranged left loves to hate. Gwen Ifill of PBS, who applies “Eau D’Obama Anus” perfume to her private areas before each shower, was the “moderator.” Apparently Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann were unavailable. Actually, they were in rehab being treated for rabies.

Nevertheless, the show went on.

The debate started with the disaster known as the bailout package. When asked if it was the best or worst of Washington, Biden said it was neither, before bashing President Bush. This is what he does when he cannot answer a question. He listed Obama’s four point plan, which is not an actual plan. It is four platitudes.

Palin did not answer the question either, because neither of them wanted to condemn the bailout. She did point out that McCain wanted Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac oversight in 2006.

Both candidates were asked about reaching across the aisle. Biden claimed that he “had almost as many friends on the republican side of the aisle as the democratic side of the aisle.” No, he does not. He then showed his mean streak by saying that McCain was “out of touch,” a cheap shot about his age.

Palin pointed out tht 96% of Obama’s votes were the party line, and that only McCain reaches across the aisle. She said that she respected Biden’s years in the Senate, but that America needs something “new and fresh.”

Ifill correctly pointed out that neither candidate answered the question. She then asked who was responsible for the subprime lending situation. She blamed greedy lenders because to be truthful and admit that average Americans got greedy and irresponsible. That is like gay marriage for Biden. It is a land mine. Palin did call for personal responsibility.

Biden simply blamed deregulation. Perhaps he prefers a central command economy. He said it was wrong to blame the irresponsible buyers because gas prices were high. Yes people are hurting, but that does not leave them blameless. The working class are not always innocent, and the wealthy are not always guilty.

Palin pointed out that helping the working class meant lowering taxes, and helping the private sector grow. Obama and Biden have voted for the largest tax increases in history.

Biden disputed the charge, and then devolved into Senate speak about procedural votes. He then pointed out that Palin failed to answer the question about deregulation.

Palin pointed out that it was Biden that was ducking the tax issue. She then offered a fabulous line that she “might not always answer the questions the way the moderator or her opponent want her to. She will talk straight to the American people.”

This is why I like her. She knew Ifill was hostile, and stayed pleasant while speaking what was important. Ifill then responded by cutting her off. Apparently the king of all windbags, Joe Biden, does not need to be cut off. Ifill was clever about it, but her PBS bias was on display. I was hoping Palin would promise to defund PBS, but sadly enough Ifill will continue to exist.

Ifill then shifted the debate to taxes. She asked Biden about class warfare, and Palin about hurting 5 million people by throwing them off of health care rolls.

Biden then offered fantasy about Obama’s plan. He keeps saying that 95% of Americans will get a tax cut. Only 62% of Americans even pay taxes. Biden and Obama call this “fairness.” That word was used several times.

What Biden calls fairness, Palin pointed out was “redistribution of wealth.” She pointed out that “small businesses will pay higher taxes, resulting in fewer jobs.” She pointed out that Biden stated that “paying higher taxes is patriotic.” Palin pointed out that “paying higher taxes is not patriotic. Government should get out of the way. Obama is producing a trillion dollars of new spending. That is the backwards way to deal with the economy.”

Palin then discussed McCain’s plan for health care, and pointed out that a “$5,000 health care credit would be budget neutral.” Where the candidates differ is on “mandates,” which Obama supports.

Biden insisted on fairness, while bashing Exxon Mobil. Maybe he thinks they are on the ballot.

Ifill pointed out that Biden and Obama disagreed on the bankruptcy bill, which Biden voted for. Biden babbled about how the issue “was complicated.” At least he did not say it was above his pay grade.

On energy, Palin repeated how Americans keep chanting “Drill, baby drill.” She pointed out that Biden spoke of “raping the outer continental shelf.” She pointed out that Biden and Obama say “no” to everything. She mentioned that she did not like “East Coast politicians dictating energy policy to places like Alaska.” She also mentioned that the terrorists win when we do not allow ourselves to use the supply of domestic energy we have.

Biden spoke about global warming, but said that McCain is “for everything if the private sector takes care of it.” That sounds great to me.

On same sex benefits, Biden enthusiastically support them. he then mentioned same sex marriage, which was not the question. Palin stated that she would not be in favor of same sex marriage, but that she was “tolerant” of how adults live their lives. She made clear that nobody in a McCain-Palin administration would deny benefits and hospital visits.”

This had Biden on the defensive, insisting that neither he nor Obama favored gay marriage. It must kill him to say that. Regardless of how one feels, at least Palin truly believes what she says on the issue.

The debate turned to foreign policy.

Palin pointed out that the surge worked, and that Biden initially criticized Obama for voting against funding the troops. Obama promised otherwise, but buckled under pressure when running for President. The truth hurts, and Biden did not like this. Palin said it “would be a travesty if we quit now in Iraq.”

Biden insisted that Obama had a plan, and that John McCain did not. He insisted that McCain voted against funding the troops. Biden then said the key line. He and Obama agree that “you have got to have a timeline.” Biden is as dead wrong on this as he was about his Iraq partition plan. He then said, “We will end this war.”

It would be nice if he said, “we will win this war.”

Palin rapidly pointed out that the Obama-Biden plan was “a white flag of surrender.”

Biden protested that McCain voted against funding the troops, but that charge will not stick. Biden can complain about timelines, but any timeline is wrong.

Those who complain about what is good for the troops should listen to them.

When asked to compare and contrast the dangers of Pakistan and Iran, Biden seemed to think that Iran is not close to acquiring nuclear weapons. I wonder if he gets his information from Armageddonijad. I would not take that hope at face value. He insists that the next attack will come from Afghanistan, and not Iraq. He has no way of knowing this, although removing Saddam Hussein certainly helps reduce Iraq as a threat.

On Israel, both candidates spoke positively about Israel. The difference is that Palin actually means it. Biden talks like a man that understands facts and statistics, but there is no warmth. Sarah Palin passionately explained that “there cannot be a second Holocaust.” She repeated the horror of Armageddonijad’s comments. Biden spoke aloofly about how President George W. Bush is to blame for Hamas getting elected. I was not aware the President campaigned for them. Biden got a bit pompous when he said that “nobody has done more for Israel,” than him. Actually, his record on Israel is less than stellar.

Biden speaks like an academic. He keeps saying that Armageddonijad does not control Iran, because the mullahs do. Armageddonijad is the public face, and he is a terrorist.

Palin also pointed out that “for guys that keep talking about change and the future, you spend a lot of time looking backwards to the past.”

Biden said that the McCain policy on Israel, Pakistan, and Afghanistan was “the same as that of President Bush.” That sounds fabulous to me. Perhaps Biden is endorsing McCain and preparing for 2012 against another McCain supporter, Hillary Clinton.

Ifill then quoted various republicans who favored diplomacy, including Colin Powell. Ifill could have asked Biden about democrats that favor force. This was her first biased moment.

On interventionism and the use of nuclear weapons, Palin explained that our weapons are an effective deterrent. In Afghanistn, Palin pointed out that we were building schools, not “air raiding villages,” as Barack Obama claimed. Palin pointed out what an irresponsible comment that was.

Biden also criticized the notion that a surge in Afghanistan would work because it is different from Iraq.

Palin pointed out that the strategy would not be exactly the same, but the overall goal would have some similarities. General David Petraeus is at Centcom, and he and Ray Odierno have stated that their will be similarities. “The principles of a surge would work in Afghanistan, and the counterinsurgency strategy can work in Afghanistan. Our military leaders have not said anything but that.”

Biden pointed out that we hear less about Afghanistan in the news because “it succeeded.” He should have said that about Iraq.

Biden repeated the outright lie that Obama reached across the aisle to work with Richard Lugar on securing loose nukes. Lugar himself disputed that assertion. Biden also complained that we spent more in the last 3 weeks in Iraq than the last 7 years in Afghanistan. That, even if true, is irrelevant.

Biden took credit for saving Bosnia. He also said that he voted to authorize the President to have the power to go to war, but that did not mean he was voting for going to war. Yes, democrats truly believe what they say. The vote was not for sanctions that were failing. It was a vote for war. Biden was willing to send troops into Darfur, to stop “genocide.” Saddam Hussein committed genocide in Iraq. That does not count because President Bush favored that war, which supersedes anything else for the left.

Palin correctly pointed out that it was a war resolution, and compared Biden to John Kerry “voting for it before he voted against it.” She pointed out that Biden was “for the war until he ran for President. He was against the Obama position until he was selected as Vice President.

Biden continued trying to link McCain to President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Biden compained that he “never supported John McCain’s position on the war.” I suppose that was a confession that he was in favor of losing. He also lied, claiming that McCain and Cheney said it would be easy.

Palin did not back down. She pointed out that “tomorrow the pundits will look at your statements, find the tapes, and see what was said.” She relished letting Biden know that he was making stuff up. She said that, “John McCain knows how to win a war.”

When asked how a Biden administration would differ from an Obama one, Biden chafed at the question, saying that it would be a tragedy. I would love to see that quote manipulated for strategic purposes, but it was a fair answer. However, Biden went into gasbag mode when he said that this was “the most important election since 1932.”

Palin pointed out that “with a team of mavericks, there will be disagreements. They disagree on ANWR.”

“Government, get out of my way, if you’re gonna harm me and mandate more things.” Palin was right when she said that.

Biden said that the people in his neighborhood “get it.” Apparently that means something.

Every time Biden criticized President Bush, Palin referred to him as “say it aint so Joe,” and “play it backward, Joe.” The democrats were criticizing the past, while Palin was pointing towards the future.

Moderator Gwen Ifill was asking intelligent questions, but her question on both candidates mocking the role of the Vice President in the past was a waste.

I had to laugh when Palin said that McCain “tapped” her for something. I forgot what, but she is so pretty, and I could listen to that phrase over and over.

Ok, enough fantasizing about her naughty librarian hair. The debate returned to seriousness.

Ifill then asked a gotcha question about Dick Cheney asserting that he was a member of the legislature and not an executive. It allowed Biden to say that Cheney was “the most dangerous Vice President in history.” If this was not liberal bias I do not know what is. Ifill had no need to ask it.

Ifill then asked about their weaknesses, Palin being inexperienced and Biden being undisciplined.

Palin spoke about her son fighting in Iraq, as well as her special needs daughter. She spoke of understanding the concerns of ordinary Americans, and that she had executive experience. She spoke of democracy, tolerance and freedom.

Biden spoke of his 35 years in public office, and how he was not going to change now. This is fabulous for a campaign about change. He then repeated the lie about 100,000 new cops in 1994 that never happened. He spoke about losing his first wife and child, and that he “knows what it is like to raise two kids alone.” He choked up.

Palin spoke about the diverse supporters of McCain from Lieberman to Lingle to Romney. She said about McCain that “He is the man we need to lead us at this time.”

Biden said that he “Loved John,” but that McCain was not a maverick on anything that mattered.

The last question was an issue where they changed positions. Biden spoke about how when he got to the Senate, he believed that the only thing that mattered in a judge were their qualifications. He now realizes that ideology matters. This is him admitting that he could care less about the Constitution.

Palin wishes she had vetoed more bills. She said that she wanted to cut taxes even more, but did not always have the support. She said that on the big things, she stuck to her principles.

The candidates were asked how they change the tone in Washington.

Biden hesitatingly admitted that McCain has reached across the aisle. He promised that he does question the judgment of people, but not their motives.

Palin spoke of appointing people regardless of party affiliation. “You walk the walk, not just talk the talk.” Nevertheless, she mentioned how important it was to lower taxes, not raise them and kill job growth like her opponents.

Palin used her closing statement to offer a slap at the media that is hostile towards her. She mentioned that she and John McCain have “always been proud to be Americans.” She also said McCain would “fight for you.”

Biden attacked President Bush. That is what he gets paid to do. He attacked the wealthy and praised those paying for their mortgages. Biden spoke about his neighborhood. Apparently he does not understand that Sarah Palin’s neighborhood is just as noble.

I doubt many minds were changed this night. Analysis I heard from others was that even if Biden won on points, this was a victory for the republican party because Palin did fine.
Neither made any gaffes, but Biden simply made statements that were not true over and over again. He also spent more time running against President Bush than John McCain.

Joe Biden is a skilled debater, but all the words will not change the fact that John McCain has an actual record, and Barack Obama has a pleasant smile.

The debate was probably a draw. Those who want pure debating points like Joe Biden. Those that like honest straight talk like Sarah Palin.

http://michellemalkin.com/2008/10/02/sarah-rocks/

eric