The New Browns Logos

The helmet looks fine. The dog is only suited for the puppy pound. He looks like a neutered version of the old dog logo. Why did we even get excited? We should know better.

Browns management promises us that they will get more innovative and daring when they reveal the new uniform.

The best we can hope for is Ray Farmer will text his best public relations tips to the podium during the press conference revealing the new look.

Here we go, Brownies! Here we go, again.

Money where my mouth is...Browns won't win 8 Games this year

They've won three out of four preseason games. I highly doubt that the Browns will have a  75% winning record this year. I'm so confident that I've bet a coworker that they won't win 8 game. If they win more than 7 games Alan gets a crisp Jackson.

I'm still a Browns fan, but I'm also a realist. The way I look at it, I can't lose. Either I will have two sawbills in my pocket at the end of the season or my Brownies will be watchable. WOOF! WOOF!

The Indians - "Next Year" for another year

I am a Cleveland Indians fan. I've been a fan all my life. Therefore, I am used to disappointment. That doesn't mean I like disappointment.

It is the last day of August and my last flame of hope for the Tribe has been extinguished. They just can't beat Detroit. Hell, they can't even score enough runs to beat the lousy teams. Does that make them a lousy team? I don't think so, but it does mean I can't get excited about this season any more.

A couple nights ago there was a telling event in my house. My 10 year old son is baseball nut. He LOVES to play the game and loves the Indians. As I was tucking him in I turned the radio on to the Indians game. He asked me to switch to the Browns (fourth) preseason game. When they have lost the interest of my boy in favor of a meaningless game for his third favorite sport that is your sign that this season is over.

So you think Peyton Hillis isn't tough? I'm here to help.

I've lived in the Cleveland area for more than forty years and I've followed sports for almost as long. You can imagine I've seen and heard some pretty ridiculous stuff in that time and you would be right.

Sports fans in Cleveland like to tell ourselves and like to hear our teams say we are "the greatest fans in the country". While it is true we tend to come back year after year to see basically the same disappointing results, that does not mean we are particularly good at being fans. Bottlegate anyone?

I can honestly say one of the lowest points for Cleveland fans may have been hit these last two weeks. Peyton Hillis, the one bright spot of the Browns' season last year and Madden cover winner, is being called weak and heartless because he sat out a game because of strep throat.

Why do I feel this criticism is unfounded and unfair?

Follow my steps below:
1. Have you ever been sick? Yes? Go to 2. No? Shut up.
2. Have you ever had a job. Yes? Go to 3. No? Shut up.
3. Have you ever been so sick you couldn't work? Yes? Go to 4. No? Good for you. You have been lucky. (If you think this gives you authority to talk crap about Hills, shut up!)
4. Have you ever been a professional athlete? Yes? Go to 5. No? Me neither. Shut up.
5. Are you Peyton Hillis' physician? Yes? Feel free to say he should have played. No? Shut up.
6. Are you any one of the following; a sports writer, a radio talk show host, a blogger, a guy sitting a home reading blogs, listening to radio talkers and reading sports columnists? SHUT THE HELL UP!
7. Are you Peyton Hillis' agent. Please shut up. (This goes for all agents, actually.)
8. Are you Peyton Hillis? Keep doing what you are doing.

The rest of you clear on this? Good.

What? You're still here?

Well. I'm awfully glad to see you stopped by. It is a small miracle that I decided to stop by my own self.

Here is the truth > Twitter and Facebook have just about sated by urge to blog. Times change, people change.

I do, however, still value the medium of the daily web log (commonly known as a "blog".) So today I will commit to reinvigorating both this humble exercise as well as The MatthewK.com Blog.

My next post will concern the absurdity of non-athletes criticizing Payton Hillis as they have in the last two weeks.

The Keynes / Hayek Rematch Video

This is pretty epic and if the sergeant stripes were not inverted and it didn't flow over my template it would be near perfect.

What we've learned this month

I think a good blogmaster should post, at minimum, annually. I'm here to weigh in recent big news and our reaction to it.

Osama  Bin Laden is dead, and it was at the hands of the U.S. military acting on the orders of Barack Obama. My reactions follow.

1. Good.  Wish it had happened sooner.
2. The celebrations outside the White House was ridiculous. I honestly think some Spring Fling kegger just relocated at the word from CNN. What was more ridiculous was the news networks covering the party like it was reflective of how most Americans reacted. 
3. Release the pictures. It won't dispel the conspiracy theororists, but it will at least make them work harder.
4. I was saddened by my friends who immediately reacted by hoping OBL sudden exit from this life will bring about the end of the Kinetic Military Action to Mitigate Man Made Disasters. In other words, our troops are not coming home next week because their mission is not to get Bin Laden.
5. It is unfortunate that the White House/Pentagon press office seems to have changed details of the mission form say-to-day. Those who do not understand how and why this happens are also the same people who plant and fertalize conspiracy theories.
6. God Bless the Navy SEALs

Let's talk again in a few months or sooner.

My big announcement

It looks like I have to come out of the closet. I am announcing today that I am a fair weathered fan of certain sports. After the display the Cavs put on last night I decided that I don't not need to watch every game or check the score in the paper. LeBron left in July and so was our chance at a championship. Today's athletes are proving they are looking out for themselves and their families so I should not in the least feel guilty about being a fair weathered fan. I guess my true love in sports is baseball. The current status of the Indians is making it hard for me but at the end of the day I would love to watch a ballgame. Financially I can't afford to take my party of 6 to many major league baseball games but thanks to the TV deals I can still feel like I am contributing something by watching the game. Here's to hoping the glory days of all sports franchises in Cleveland return sooner than later!

YouTube's "Recommended for You" is Horribly Flawed

Recently, YouTube has introduced a prominent "Recommended for You" section on their homepage. They explain:

The "Recommended for You" module picks videos based on your viewing history. To see your viewing history, click on the History link at the top right of the page; if you want to clear your history and recommendations, click the "Clear Viewing History" button on that page.

Remember, you will get better, more specific, and more consistent recommendations by logging in (or signing up for a YouTube account, if you don't already have one).

That is all well and good, except for one major flaw. They seem to assume that you enjoy the recent video you watched. Being open to opposing viewpoints, I recently clicked on a video link from a blog that ostensibly supported a claim against Joseph Ratzinger. While slightly unflattering, it wasn't in any manner scandalous.

However, some of the videos that YouTube then started recommending to me were vile. Just "Because You Watched..." a video, it does not follow logically that you enjoyed it or desire exposure to similar videos.

Why ought I be compelled to shield myself from these bigots by clearing my history as YouTube requires? Perhaps YouTube and her parent Google should back off on this aggressive personalization by default.

I'm in the Hayek Posse

I can't pretend to be a smarty when it comes to collecting the Benjamins, but this is dope. (The boom plants the seeds for its future destruction.)

Dragnet Meets Obama

This is a bit of brilliant editing. Seems like we have passed this way before and we may pass this way again.

H/T The Anchoress

Go Captains! Play Ball!

The family went to see the Lake County Captains tonight. It was a great night at the ball park. A warm, muggy night, but some swirling breezes kept it bearable.

Before the game, the field announcer, Grover, asked the boys if they wanted to call "Play Ball" after the National Anthem. They did not have to think twice. They are big fans and a chance to get on the field was fun.

Later in the game we visited Mr Deas and Brother Drew in the booth. We must have brought a little luck with us. The Captains won 19-2!

Stars and Stripes Forever - Muppet Style

Wow. The Muppets celebrate Independence Day in the manner they are accustomed.

(Hat tip to Deacon Greg)

Flag Day and Baseball

I spent a good part of Flag Day at a ballpark today (Go Captains!), so it seems appropriate to post this.



(H/T Jonah Goldberg at NRO)

Reagan's speech on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day

"[T]here is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest. You were here to liberate, not to conquer..."

Brad Daugherty

I'll preface this post by stating that I am not an NBA fan. At times like this, I sometimes wish I could get excited about the NBA, but I'm not the "bandwagon" type. That is not to say that I don't read articles about the Cavs, or listen to news reports, or even watch moments of a broadcast (I do like Joe Tate, and will listen on occasion).

Now to the issue.

After I poured my morning cup of coffee, I began to peruse the PD. When I turned to the "Sporty Page", I noticed the following headline above "Cavaliers Insider": Daugherty's Cavs come out a winner

That intrigued me. The article began, "Former Cleveland center Brad Daugherty thinks his Cavs teams would beat the current edition." Daugherty concluded by stating, "...there's just no way that they could have matched up with us to stop our offense because we were too efficient." The body of the article allowed that James would be a handfull, but that Price ran the perfect pick-and-roll and Harper would have been the "X-factor" (whatever that means).

What the....?

Daugherty wrote this gem on ESPN's Media Zone Water Cooler. In other words, he wasn't asked about this, he just came up with it on his own.

I'm certain that Brad knows much more about the NBA than I do, but I remember his "edition" of the Cavs. They were good, but never won a championship. Never came close. Odds are better than even that this edition will.

Perhaps he's been commenting on NASCAR too long.

My ACM recap

First of all I LOVE Reba. She is such a great host! I miss Vince Gill hosting. I think he hosts the CMA's. The opening song was cool with Brooks and Dunn sprinkled in with Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. I thought it was weird they were singing their hits that were from last year. Interesting tatoo on Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland. Didn't care for Kellie Pickler's dress. The gold matches her skin color making you wonder is there a dress on or not?? Jennifer Nettles dress when they accepted the Group of the Year award - wow - can really bend over at the waist on that one. When Jamey Johnson won song of the year the other nominees and people in the crowd looked shocked like who is this guy that one?? Brad Paisely gave a cute acceptance speech from home - can't blame him. I loved Matthew McConaughey's story and Carrie Underwood's acceptance speach for Entertainer of the Year. I must admit I didn't think she had a chance to win.

March Madness

So far very exciting. I can't believe Syracuse and UConn went 6 OT's and how about Pitt - they beat the #1 team twice and then stub their toe on West Virginia. I hope some of these teams don't peak too soon. I hope CSU makes it to the Sweet 16 again!

Enough with the dead chimp, please!

Every few news cycles (which is to say every few hours) there is a super hot story that I regard as a complete non-story. What I mean is there is no reason a serious news organization should cover it because there is no benefit to be had by sharing with the public in great detail every bit of information. 

Stay with me. The peanut processing plant/salmonella story is news. You could die if you eat the wrong brand of peanut butter and crackers. The recently passed legislation is news because it will either ruin or save the country. Depends if you are watching NBC or FOX.

One story that is headlining everywhere is the crazed chimp story. Why? What are the chances that 99 ^44/100 of us are ever going to bump into a domesticated chimp. You pretty much have to seek out an encounter with a lower primate living as a slacker man-child.

 So the minute-by-minute BREAKING NEWS and UPDATES are not really in the interest of public safety or edification. They are driven by entertainment . Sorry, news people, I'm not entertained by the 911 call.  I don't really care to hear what Travis' "mom" has to say in recounting the details. 

My breaking point came when I visited my favorite local station's website (WKYC.com) and saw splashed at the top of the page -  ALERT: Woman mauled by chimp being treated at Cleveland Clinic.

If you work at a modern broadcast news establishment I'd imagine you must be pretty demoralized by now. You probably went to school to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." Now you've been reduced to Bonzo Goes Berserk. 

And too think February sweeps were delayed this year.

OK Disney - Why "Shamrock Day"?

With four little boys in the house, we inevitably will tune into Playhouse Disney. Most of the programming is enjoyable, and there are no commercials for toys, sugary cereal or whatever is being pimped to the kiddies on other channels.

I can sit through the multicultural PC stuff. Comes with the territory.

However, I saw something on the Playhouse Disney website that really "got my Irish up"! They are promoting party ideas for "Shamrock Day". See the picture of Mickey Mouse in a leprechaun hat.

I "get" that we all are encouraged to drop the Saint from St. Valentine's Day. It's about hearts and flowers. Have some candy hearts with corny or risque saying and pay no attention to that bishop and martyr.

But it does not work so well for St. Patrick's Day. I suppose you can call it St. Paddy's Day to make it a little more festive. But then you still have that problematic reminder that this is a day to honor a specific individual. And he was - please cover the children's ears - Catholic. It gets worse. He was a member of the clergy.

Hope your brogans are buckled tight. I've heard that some people actually observe this day by starting it in church.

So what is a multicultural politically correct network to do? It seems to only workaround is to rename it after a member of the clover family.

I would love to see the look on the faces of folks who came up with this solution when they find out the only reason anyone cares about the shamrock. Dig it, this dude Patrick used it to explain the Trinity to heathens. I expect next year we will find out all about Pot 'o Gold Day from Disney.

UPDATE: they are still at it in 2010 - Try to find the name Patrick or any mention of Ireland.

A little Chlorine in the Gene Pool!

125 fisherman rescued, one dead on Lake Erie. They apparently had built a bridge of pallets to reach the outer ice flow. Guess what? The pallets drifted away!

The kind of stimulus we can do without

I saw this first at The Corner at National Review. Reason.tv has a little fun with the snake oil we are being sold.

the steelers

Notice that I omitted capital letters? When you despise a team as much as I do, it makes a certain amount of sense. Don't want to show too much respect.

OK, the steelers are world champions. They played a great game. Sure. Blah, blah, blah, & blah. If you listen to the local media, you would swear that the entire team is made up N/E Ohioans. Not so. It's gotten to the point that the local media is fawning over the steelers.

Here comes the point of this post. The Cleveland/pittsburg rivalry is dead, and has been for quite some time. The local media wants to make sure that Mangini understands what the rivalry means. Does he understand it? Does he know the history? Will he ensure that the players understand the rivalry and its history? Excuse me! Where have you been?

In order for there to be a rivalry, there has to be, at the very least, a SNOWBALL'S CHANCE IN HELL that the two rivals will compete on a level field. Right. There should be some doubt as to who will win. We haven't seen that in what, 14 years? Truth be told, we haven't seen a competetive rivalry since the 1960s.

If you care to log onto www.nfl.com, you can look at the cold, hard stats. For the first three decades of the the Browns/steelers matchups, the Browns dominated. The steelers sucked-out-loud when it came to the win-loss column. They did, however, play the Browns competetively. The rivalry was born. Then, when the Browns began their decline (insert: "bradshaw"), they still played the steelers like it meant something.

Until Cleveland can field a team that stands a chance of beating the steelers, the rivalry is dead. Currently, the Browns are a joke in pittsburg. Need proof? Travel to pittsburg and take a look at the sidewalk vendors. The most popular t-shirt reads, "IT'S SO EASY TO BEAT THE BROWNS".

LJ

Eight Babies

Just caught the full story of the wonderful mother who gave birth to eight wonderful babies. The story broke through the British media (not the BBC). It is as bad as anyone could possibly imagine.

They name her (I won't). She already had six kids. She's 31. Never been married, no "boyfriend". No job ("professional student"). Lives off of parents and our tax-paying dime. Worked or volunteered for a time at a fertility clinic (presumably long enough to zero in on a donor or two). I can't make this stuff up.

Have at it! I'll comment later when I've fully digested how we've gotten to this point.

Limber Joe

Drumming up support?

I'm asking anyone who may have been in a marching unit...oh...perhaps even a pipe band...what to make of the story embedded below. I think there is more to the suspension of this drum major (or is he a pipe major?) than a wink and a nod.

Come to think of it, why are the anchors supporting this guy for such a harmless gesture? Wasn't Sarah Palin regarded as a ditzy yokel because of a wink and a nod? Could these reports be biased? You betcha!

Update: Check out the comments for an authoritative analysis.

Advice form the Bush girls to the Obama girls

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

And they didn't even get a chalupa

A high school girls basketball game got a little lopsided in Texas as The Covenant School defeated Dallas Academy 100-0 in a recent contest. Now the winning team has issued an apology and requested the game be recorded as a forfeit.  

There is no mercy rule in girls basketball that shortens the game or permits the clock to continue running when scores become lopsided. There is, however, "a golden rule" that should have applied in this contest, said Edd Burleson, the director of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. Both schools are members of this association, which oversees private school athletics in Texas.

"On a personal note, I told the coach of the losing team how much I admire their girls for continuing to compete against all odds," Burleson said. "They showed much more character than the coach that allowed that score to get out of hand. It's up to the coach to control the outcome."

Firstly. You KNOW this is not the pro game. In the pro game it is not up to the coaches to control the outcome. It is up to the referee who has a little wager involving the game who controls the outcome.

Secondly, just what was the other option for the losing team?  They continued to compete against all odds. Yes. What else where they to do? Walk off and have some pizza? Start a fight and hope to get ejected?

I'm just hoping that these teams face off in an alumni game in 15 years or so. Time tends to level the playing field - or court as it were.

Inauguration 2009

I enjoyed watching all the events unfold for our new president. Just a few things I observed. I can't say that I would do this any better but I think Michelle looks awkward at times. Like when she greeted Mr & Mrs Bush. I don't know if she knew whether to hug or kiss on the cheek. One other observation I made is that she is very very tall. I guess I didn't realize this. Also I was disappointed she didn't grab Obama's butt during one if the "First Dances" at the balls.

My son, the future investigative reporter

John came home from school today with a Barack Obama coloring book. A beautiful commemorative edition ready for individual crayon customization. It was a mini-biography of the president-elect. A whirlwind tour of Hawaii, Indonesia, Kenya, Chicago and DC.

On the last page it asks "If you could ask the President to do something, what would it be?" I misread it and asked John "If you could ask Barack Obama one thing, what would it be?" (I told him I'd ask him what his favorite baseball team is.) John thought for a moment and said "Where did you get all your money?"

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

The Boys of the NYPD Choir Still Singing Galway Bay

It's Christmas time again.  I'm very sentimental and love the Perry Como/Bing Crosby catalog, but I also think this song is brilliant. (RIP Kristy McColl)

Tackle Me Elmo

Patrick was given an Elmo Live doll for his second birthday. The brothers "welcomed" him into our home in typical boy fashion.

Santa Drives a Truck

Every year I lament the musical injustice that Rob Ervin's "Santa Drives a Truck" is not in heavy rotation and making a mint in royalties for my old WBGU-FM radio buddy.

In hopes that there will be sweater-in-the-drugstore moment, I share Santa Drives a Truck with you on Amaze.fm.

And If you are an A&R person looking for talent, I think I can get in touch with him for you.

Update: Thanks, everybody! Song of the Week!

Snobs on Parade - NYT and Wendy's

Timothy Egan wrote a column in the New York Times decrying the very thought of Joe the Plumber getting a book deal. It is ripe with the worst kind of elitist claptrap. Tim Blair at the Daily Telegraph fisked it quite nicely.

When writers, painters or musicians whimper about the world being unfair because they, their friends or some other creative-types are not living the easy life or  - God forfend - are not suitably famous, I want to whisper "This is why capitalism is so wonderful." Really. Grow up. We are just not that in to you.

This latest exhibit reminds me of a TV ad running for Wendy's. It shows a security guard, an administrative assistant and one other representative of the working class (perhaps and auto mechanic) speaking in glowing terms about the latest samiches from the cartoon redhead. Not Ronald McDonald, the girl with pigtails. 

The "humor" in this ad is that these pedestrian slobs are using "foodie" language. You see, if you are a mere administrative assistant or night watchman you are unable to use the same language found in magazine or newspaper restaurant reviews. Perhaps you have seen some chefs on the idiot box, but you probably like Paula Dean most. Crinckle nose here.

The imagination runs wild. To make a TV ad that actually brightens my cathodes, a writer has to write it, an actor has to read it, a director has to tell 'em where to stand, a client has to review it, an editor then has to re-edit it to make the shot dwell on the logo for one more second.  Not to mention the focus group. Do you mean to tell me not ONE of the people in this herd didn't raise a hand and question if this might be in poor taste?

Update: Just saw the commercial again. It seems the occupations are welder and parking garage attendant. My premise is unchanged.

Turkeys Away - Still the Best 30 Years Later

It was 1978 when this episode of WKRP in Cincinnati first aired. I think I went into radio because of this show.

Cranberry Sauce Fan?

A New Elf Yourself Creation

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Anybody Remember This?

A friend on Facebook linked to this YouTube channel. This person (Dan -or- videoholic50sthru70s) has made it his mission to collect, and now share, video for 50's through the 70's. Remember Mona Scott and Doug Adair? You can go to the channel and find Blizzard of 77 footage and many other blasts from the past.

That's LIFE - Google Picture Archives

LIFE Magazine and Google recently released a fascinating collection of archival images. I was browsing the collection and looking at old baseball images for the Cleveland Indians, Great stuff.

However - check out this image. The caption says fans are arriving at a ball game in the old stadium. Are they doing a lap around the ballpark before they enter?



And this caption is even less accurate!

It may be snarky, but I think I agree with it.

I was browsing Google News headlines and I came across an emoticon in a headline. You don't see that every day. The LA Times political blog has a smiley face after the  headline that reports McCain won't run in 2012.  I kind of feel the same way. But I suspect I'm happy for different reasons than the LAT staff.

Snazzy new seal you got there

You know how the two teams in the Super Bowl or World Series always have t-shirts and hats and other gee-gaws made up in advance proclaiming them champions? One team always has to throw them away or donate them to some relief agency. Children in foreign lands scamper about in "Cleveland Indians 1997 World Champions" gear, I suppose.

This thought crosses my mind as I catch a glimpse of Barack Obama's first news conference in a LONG time. Remember how he had a cute seal on the campaign trail? Folks thought it was a bit presumptuous, so he put it in mothballs.

But today is different. Today he is President-Elect and he has an office and everything. To be fair, it does not seem to say "Obama" or "The One" on it. Maybe these are government issue and McCain has one in the dumpster outside his office.



Update: I know that many people remarked that the President-elect was an inspirational leader. I did not really see it until now. He has moved me.



Get your own at Says-it.com

For All The Saints About TO ROCK!

I'm not a super-duper arch-conservative Catholic. I'm not a guy to get in a huff over applause in church. or contemporary music. I even tapped my feet at the recent polka mass I attended.

I'd like to learn and pray a little more Latin. However, I was educated by guitar playing nuns with a penchant for felt banners, so I'm not pining for the good old days of my youth.

All I ask of the priest is to stick to teaching what the Church teaches and respect the authority of his bishop and B16. Sometimes even my low threshold is too high. Amy Welborn asked recently what All Saints Day and All Souls Day looked like in her readers' parishes. Here is my story.

The World Series

I'm surprised that Phillies have a 3-1 lead right now as last night's game is suspended due to rain. I think there have been more than a few blunders not just by the umpires. I think Bud Selig and his crew have tried to force the issue when it comes to the weather. There is no way the game should have been played Saturday night. I think starting a game at 10pm when the fan base is on the East Coast is ridiculous. Then to have the field get as bad as it did was just stupid. This evening they are calling for bad weather again and Bud vows "to wait as long as necessary even if its until Thanksgiving". I think the comment that gets me ticked off the most is Bud saying if the Phillies were winning when the game was stopped he would have made them continue play to protect the integrity of the game. How is changing the rules when you feel like it protecting the integrity of the game? The Rays are lucky they scored in the top of the 6th inning so the game is tied. That protected the integrity of the game. Selig you are an idiot. It's time for a new Commissioner.

This Just In: UN Staffers ♥ Obama

The Washington Post really digs deep on this one. My comments in bold brackets.

An informal survey of more than two dozen [more than 24 - that must have taken half the morning!] U.N. staff members and foreign delegates showed that the overwhelming majority would prefer that Sen. Barack Obama win the presidency, saying they think that the Democrat would usher in a new agenda of multilateralism after an era marked by Republican [entirely justifiable] disdain for the world body.

Obama supporters hail from Russia, Canada, France, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Indonesia and elsewhere. [like Leavenworth - where Ayers should live in a perfect world] One American employee here seemed puzzled that he was being asked whether Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was even a consideration. "Obama was and is unstoppable," the official said. "Please, God, let him win," he added. [so much for separation of church and the one world state]

"It would be hard to find anybody, I think, at the U.N. who would not believe that Obama would be a considerable improvement over any other alternative," said William H. Luers, executive director of the United Nations Association. "It's been a bad eight years, and there is a lot of bad feeling over it."[tell me; why do we host the U.N. on American soil?]

Palin on SNL

I didn't watch it, because I knew the good people at Hulu would let me check it out. A part of me thinks that undecideds might see this and think "She seems pretty cool. Why all the hate?" But then the realist in me says "The aren't laughing WITH you Sarah."

The moose part is good but the best part is "When I say Obama -you say Ayers"

Remember Joe the Plumber

The lefties are saying he is a McCain plant. Of course they would. They can't come to terms that there are people out here in fly-over country that actually hold these opinions, LIKE this country and don't apologize for it.

You knew what was going to happen to him because he caused Obama to share with us that he really does think and talk like a Marxist in unrehearsed moments, right? The city of Toledo, the leftist blogs, the media and the labor unions are causing a shitstorm to fall on him.

Update: Is this bit from the Associated Press supposed to be an labeled "analysis" or are they usually this snarky?

How does one study for a lipness test?

Google Trends is a fun website to monitor popular searches on Google on a day-to-day basis. Some blogging types use it as the proverbial finger in the wind to help them determine what subject might drive traffic to their site. Shameless or savvy? I report, you decide.

Sometimes the searches that percolate to the top just make you scratch your head. But today's takes the cake. During the debate, the candidates both invoked the "There will be no litmus test for Supreme Court nominees." promise.

Apparently more than a few people misheard that and bolted to Google to find out what a "lipness test" is. Check out #16 (update: now it is #18).

To quote Larry the Cable Guy (and Tow Mater), "I don't care who you are - that's funny!"

Blog Recommendation - The Art of Manliness

I was recently telling Limber Joe, who will one day post here, about a blog post I had read. It occurred to me that I rarely out-and-out recommend a blog.

Here is one - The Art of Manliness.

A recent post was about sea shanties. No, they are not slapdash submarine shelters. I did not wake up the morning I read it thinking about sea shanties, but went to bed a little more hip to the working man's entertainment before iPods were so ubiquitous in the workplace.

But not all posts are so esoteric. Practical advice is to be found as well. Such as how to shine your shoes like a soldier. (I already knew)

They also share how to avoid and treat a snake bite. Those with a long memory my recall I could use some help here.

Cable TV Internet Synergy - TBS Hot Corner

As loathe as I am to say anything nice about something connected to Ted Turner, this TBS Hot Corner thingy ROCKS. You may know that I spent a couple years in college studying the radio-TV-film stuff. One of the things I really enjoyed and attracted me to this was the ability to get "behind the scenes" and see the uncut or raw footage. To be the director, if you will.


TBS is allowing anyone with an Internet connection to be their own director. They are streaming four camera angles and allowing viewers to choose the one they like or stick with all four in mosaic mode.

There seems to be about a thirty second latency on the stream I am watching now. I do not know if that is by design to preserve the ratings on TBS or simply a technological artifact. In any respect, it is like having your own instant replay.

If my son John ever finds out about this, he will be very hard to put in bed as long as the playoffs are on TBS. So - Fox - what about it? You brought us the miked base and the glowing hockey puck. Bring on the multi camera directors cut of live sporting events!

The 1st Round of Playoffs

Well I'm a bit surprised that the Dodgers and Phillies have jumped out to a 2-o lead. Although I do not follow the National League except because of who was traded I am rooting that the former Indians do well. CC has carried his team on his back to get to the playoffs but again he is not stepping up when it counts and his team might go home tomorrow. I am quite impressed how Tampa Bay keeps getting the clutch hit or home run when needed and then in the late innings piles it on. It will be interesting to see if the home cooking in Chicago will help them win at least one game. I'm not counting on it nor am I rooting for it. I haven't been able to watch any of the Redsox/Angels series. I guess the Angels are a bit flat without having to fight too hard to get into the playoffs.

On a side note - I'm a bit miffed that our local ESPN radio affiliate only carries the games when it "fits into their schedule". Its a bummer when I want to listen right before I fall asleep.

Andy and Angela - What a couple

Fans of The Office know that Andy Bernard and Angela Martin are engaged. What they might not know is that they...OK mostly Andy it seems...have created a website (update 2/9/2017: now points to a boring blog) to help friends, family and VERY interested co-workers (Dwight) keep abreast of the plans for the joyous occasion.

Here is a sample:

Wedding Party Apparel: We haven't finalized colors or anything just yet, but we're thinking nothing too fancy for the gents, just the normal Bernard wedding apparel: top hats, coat tails, and canes if you've got 'em. The attire for Angela's bride's maid will be lovely too: something boxy with a hemline below the ankle. No bare arms. No open toed shoes. More restrictions to come.

Hair and Make up Ideas: Hair up, no make up for her. I may apply a little powder.

Give me a break, Greeley

Andrew Greeley is a Catholic priest and a writer of, um, popular literature. His way with words is so crafty, so nimble, so superior to most of us that he can write this:

I was wrong about the first McCain/Obama debate. A third of the way through the event, I said to one of my guests, "My guy is getting creamed!" Note that I did not say, "My candidate is being beaten into the ground." I don't have a candidate. Priests, like columnists, are not supposed to endorse a candidate. But one of the candidates is from my state and my city, and we shared a pulpit once. So of course I hope he wins. But that doesn't mean I endorse him. As I have said repeatedly in this column, I think he will lose because the country is not ready for a smart, attractive, charismatic man -- if he has skin slightly darker than a Sicilian's.

A breathtaking journey of name-dropping, sarcasm, political prognostication, disdain of his countrymen (countrypersons?) and bigotry in one short paragraph.

Keep keeping those endorsements to yourself Andy!

The Bus is rolling, and Wedge is tossing bodies!

Now we know what has been holding the Tribe back all these years....it was Louie Isaac! He has been the one common denominator the past 43 years, and Wedge isn't gonna take it anymore!

Even Tommy has figured it out...

The Browns suck

Browns Vader

The Browns need all the help they can get.

A little Indians, A little Browns

The suspensions were handed down for the Friday night brawl. Fausto got 6 games, Victor and Astrubal 3 games a piece. Gary Sheffield only got 4 games. That seems a bit unfair. Gary Sheffield was just as guilty as Fausto. The only thing Fausto did that Gary didn't was land a few punches. But I think Gary should get just as many games because of the threats he made to some of the Indians who might have landed a cheap shot when Fausto had him in a headlock. I do think it is a bit ridiculous that Fausto is appealing and that Eric Wedge said they need Fausto to pitch one more time in a meaningless season.

The Browns just stink and I don't know if Quinn is the answer. Its not DA's fault the receivers are dropping passes that are hitting them in the numbers. I'm tired of hearing Romeo's excuses. He may be a nice man but its tough on me as a fan to hear the excuses. I know we have injuries apparently we do not have the depth to cover while the guys are out.

Light The Night at Progressive Field

The Tribe decided to light the night with fireworks on the field and in the air. Fausto landed a couple punches, even, but this is a different topic.

I am raising money with my friends at work for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a participant in their Light The Night Walk September 27 at Progressive Field. We are inspired by our colleague Kurt who exhibited amazing fortitude, an incredibly positive attitude and a crazy work ethic this year. (He has a t-shirt that says "I made cancer my bitch" to prove it!)

Donation helps accelerate cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and brings hope to the patients and families who are on the front lines of the battle against these diseases.

If you feel inclined to help, please use the link below to donate online.

http://www.active.com/donate/ltnClevel/2486_MattKeough

If you'd like to learn more about the Light The Night Walk, please visit http://www.lightthenight.org

James Lileks does it again.

Lileks is a great writer. I sometimes literally (and I don't mean figuratively) laugh out loud when he is on a roll. On the reaction in some corners to Sarah Palin:

...one thing that’s amused me in the last two weeks, it’s the screechy distaste of Ms. Palin coming from men who embodied the Modern Alda Paradigm of masculinity, which is to say they are nervous around cars, think guns are icky, had their own Snugli, have wives in corporate jobs who make more money than they do, and still get dissed behind their backs because they can’t figure out how to make the bed. The Lost Boys, if you will. Now, some women can’t stand Sarah Palin for their own reasons, personal or ideological; same with men. Some men, however, are made deeply uneasy by her, because she’s the one who ignored the sensitive poet-guys in high school for the jocks, and didn’t seem to grasp the essential high-school truth that it’s cool to be a loser.

Now tell me he is not a Benchley for our times! Thank you James, and keep it coming!

LeBron James

I've decided after reading comments made by Braylon Edwards about LeBron James wearing a NY Yankee hat while hanging out on the Dallas Cowboys sidelines Sunday that LeBron is a front runner. He rooted for the teams that were probably really good while he was little - he even loved the Chicago Bulls. Well good for him. I think the best comment Braylon made was that LeBron probably doesn't even like playing for the Cavaliers. I guess we shall see when he becomes a free agent.

It's nice to know . . .

the Browns suck in opening the season - anytime and anywhere. I would like to think things are going to change next week when we face the Steelers but I don't think that will be the case. We will be just boosting somebody's fantasy football numbers once again.

Cliff Lee is the pitcher we thought he would be and hopefully he will be this way again next year. If we could get everyone back, healthy and stay healthy we might be on to something.

Cute Kid There, Governor!

I'm posting this mostly so the mother of my children will see it. A funny unscripted moment from the Republican convention.

Tribe on a Roll - Was it all Byrd's Fault?

The group consensus of the brain trust here at SMWIAL was that losing Byrd was simply a money saving maneuver for our beloved Indians. But look what has happened since his bolt to Boston. Ten in a row, baby.

Mr. Byrd always had that outward appearance of being a consummate professional, a great teammate and a good guy. I think he would be a great dude to sit down and shoot the bull with over a cool beverage.

But was there a dark side? Was he a mean old SOB in the clubhouse, striking fear into the rookies and never returning borrowed magazines to the veterans? Was he prone to fits of furious screaming "I said ICE WATER! This is COLD WATER!" Did he burp loudly and not pardon himself?

Did the media cover for his bad habits like back in JFK's day? Come clean Mr. Shapiro. Speak truth, Mr. Wedge!

I have absolutely no evidence or any cause to speculate this. But I am a blogger, so who is going to notice?

The Baseball Boys

John, James and Patrick make backyard baseball seem like a three ring circus.

Trade bait?

I about fell over when I heard tonight Byrd was on the trading block. Who in their right mind would want a 4-10 pitcher. Kelly Shoppach just hit a 2 run homer (after hitting 3 doubles in previous at bats) - does this sweeten the pot - you get Byrd and Shoppach (his personal catcher) for some young talent.

After much consideration...

I've discussed it with Joyce, and although I thought I might begin on the local level (dog catcher, parish council, etc.), I've decided to bring Hope, Change and an Extraordinary Head of Hair to the national scene. Together we (mostly using confiscatory tax rates) can change America. Possibly for the worse.

Now that's HOT!

Finally!!!!

Indians win 13-2!!!!!

Happy Birthday America

It's all over but the trading

I seem remember the local paper used to have a smiling Chief Wahoo on the masthead when the Indians won and a frowning Wahoo with a crumpled feather when they lost. We would be seeing that sad little chief plenty this year.

One morning last week when I woke up our five year old, the baseball nut, he asked "Did the Indians win last night, Dad?" "No son, they lost" A very matter-of-fact observation followed from the tyke, "They stink!"

And so the rich family tradition continues.

Pandora Reminds Me...

that Del Amitri's "The Last To Know" may be the most perfect song of the 1990's.

Our local gas station

This is crazy!

The lovely Joyce K and the Boys on WKYC

The lovely Joyce K and her handsome sons appear in this story on our local NBC affiliate WKYC- TV (yes John, in HD)

Women's Professional Fast-Pitch

Last week as John and I were surfing looking for any baseball in the afternoon (John thinks we can watch any MLB team at anytime of the day) we came across Women's fast pitch. I thought it was the Women's College World Series so I stopped. It was not - apparently they have a professional league now. It was entertaining as the centerfielder for Philadelphia was making some unbelievable catches. The thing that I was mostly disturbed about was the shape some of these women were in. I know I'm completely out of shape but I'm not a professional baseball player. Yikes! Marla Hootch looks like Marilyn Monroe compared to these girls!

US Open

Holy cow - what a tournament! It has been so awesome and we get a bonus 18 holes tomorrow! Forget Sesame Street - we are watching golf!

Sara Evans

I read on People.com yesterday that Sara wants to have another baby with her soon to be husband Jay. Keep in mind between the two of them they have 7 children. Yikes! I guess she figures between her and Jay's looks the kid couldn't look too bad.

Good job Cliff Lee!

Win #10 last night. I'm glad Wedge let him come back out after the rain delay. Who would have guessed it. It would be nice to get Fausto healthy and CC pitching consistently and our bat showing up everyday - we could put a run together - I'm hoping and praying. The way they keep doing the Buffalo shuffle it looks like they are pulling all the strings to get something going. We will just have to wait and see.

I've had enough!!

Wake up bats or GO HOME!!!

Fees

A lot of places have them to protect themselves but I think in the long run it loses business. For example MCI was my long distance carrier. I probably used them once in the last 6 years because of my cell phone is now more my long distance choice. Well they decided to institute a minimum usage fee in February. I haven't had a balance so I haven't opened up my bill. Then I received a phone call asking me to pay $25.84. I said come again I haven't used your service why do I owe you this amount? The "financial" person couldn't tell me so I had to call back on Monday to the Customer Service center. Then on Monday when I got my monthly bill from them I saw what they were talking about and oh yea - the 99 cents they were charging for a paper statement was now going up the $1.99. No thank you. I feel for the people who don't have access to a computer. Maybe the government should hand those out along with the food stamps.

I think I was most amused when I called AT&T to complain about the price of my internet service going up. When I asked the guy for a discount he sat there in silence not knowing what to say. I'm supposed to get $6 off my next bill but I would rather have that credit everytime. I figure if they can give it to you once they can give it to you again.

A nice story...but...

Turns out the display of sportswomanship was not really necessary. The Ump blew the call. BTW - I use the term "sportswomanship" intentionally. I doubt guys would have done this. We tend to look at events like this and say "Sucks to be you, dude."

WAKE UP Tribe bats!

Interesting move by the Indians yesterday - they designated Jason Michaels for assignment and brought up Ben Francisco. YEAAAAA!!!!! I must admit the Indians front office is very patient but a move needed to be made. I wonder how much more patient they will be with Travis Hafner. I understand it is hard to admit you gave money to the wrong guy. I too thought last year was a fluke but now that it has spilled over into this year I'm not so sure. I wonder if the shift teams use when he is up to bat has effected him. We need to get a move on it. This happened last year and the Indians got hot at the right time - hopefully the team will snap out of it before we get buried in the basement of the Central Division.

Hulu and The Office are the Best!

I signed up for the Hulu beta, but forgot my password. After the easy password reset I watched the episode of the office I missed two weeks ago (worth the wait) and found the clip below. Joyce will enjoy this.

Tribe Looking Better

I know it is a long season, so forgive me if I got a little depressed about how my Tribe was playing. I'm still not convinced that they are the AL Central favorites, but the last few days have been fun.

Today the weather was in the 80's - the blimp was overhead and my Cleveland Indians beat the Yankees, even with Paul Byrd on the mound. John asked me "Why does Uncle Drew think Paul Byrd is bad?" and Paul promptly served up his second homer of the night to Giambi. "That's why son, that's why!"

The June Swoon Came Too Soon

Cleveland Indians fans are used to the Tribe getting our hopes up early, only to dash them by the All Star Break. Can't say they are setting the bar too high this year. As a matter of fact, a petition was posted at my workplace Tuesday and amended today.

Great Moments in Journalistic Ignorance

I'm no expert on journalism or religion, but sometimes I pick up the morning paper and almost do a spit take with my iced tea. Yesterday was one of those mornings.

Take a gander at Georgie Ann Geyer writing about the Pope's visit next week. Before I got 5 column inches into it, I spotted errors that would have never made it past her first draft or an editor if either had an even passing familiarity with the subject.

Exhibit A:

Next to his predecessor, the image of Benedict was often that of a snarling defender at the gate of Vatican ultraconservativism, standing side by side with the Swiss Guards, moral bayonets at the ready, defending the past.

Colorful. But more of a reflection of a cartoon you may have seen He is constantly looking at current writers in theology and philosophy and accepting some thought - rejecting some.

Exhibit B:

A conservative who grew up in Germany during World War II, Benedict will never agree with Vatican II, the historic 1962-'65 liberal confab of the church.

Um...he was there and helped form some of the documents that where produced by the council. Vatican 2" wasn't just about giving us guitar masses. For the record, Pope Benedict ain't crazy about guitar masses.

Exhibit C:

Most important, he has overseen the church's efforts to define a series of "new sins" that could change the world, if applied. ...

(Quoting some guy that works in the curia -ed) He went on to speak of everything from illegal drug use, genetic manipulation, environmental pollution, bad ecological practices, and economic inequality in which the poor are getting poorer and the rich growing richer, fueling unsustainable social injustice. These, he said, are the "new sins."

Those all could fit under the tried and true seven. Besides attributing this claptrap to Benedict is like holding a head of state responsible for some bureaucrat's report about a proposed change on parking regulations on government leased property.

Exhibit D:

No one knows exactly why the pope chose to come to America at this particular time.

2008 is the bicentennial of the designation of Baltimore as an Archdiocese. Just sayin'

Exhibit E:

He is, amazingly, even an admirer of much of Protestantism.

Why are you amazed, Georgie? Are you assuming that Catholic leaders are by definition religious bigots? Wouldn't we be bigots to make such an assumption?

OH! The Pressures of Blogging

I'm tempted to make no apology for my lack of blogging here and elsewhere. I'll just try to pretend that the pressures of authoring a highly popular and influential site caused me to go into seclusion.

The NYT would be sympathetic to that argument while they make guesses as to how much cash I was pulling down for my torment.

Alas, I am just kind of lazy. But I'll be back into it now. The Supreme Pontiff's visit will provide lots of fodder for media criticism and the Tribe is off to a rocky start. I'm back!

The new look of Progressive Field

I was taking the kids to the zoo yesterday and we passed by the old Jacobs new Progressive Field. Boy have they been busy re-branding the stadium. "Progressive Field" is now over the "Indians" on the scoreboard, they have two brick pillars on the outside that have "Progressive Field" (I don't remember the name Jacobs Field being here) and of course the main big sign from behind that you can see from Route 90 has "Progressive Field". I bet they have it on the back of every seat and inside every toilet stall. All of this was just two much for my 4 year old son who said he does not like the name because he can't say "Progressive" very well. I do wonder once you buy the naming rights does that give you the right to plaster your name everywhere? I guess the Dolans do not care as they got the $ and I'm guessing the city owns the stadium.

Prepare for St. Paddy's Day the Muppet Way

When Science Meets Religion

Professor Micheal Heller has been awarded the Templeton Prize. He stated:

Amongst my numerous fascinations, two have most imposed themselves and proven more time resistant than others: science and religion. I am also too ambitious. I always wanted to do the most important things, and what can be more important than science and religion? Science gives us Knowledge, and religion gives us Meaning. Both are prerequisites of the decent existence. The paradox is that these two great values seem often to be in conflict. I am frequently asked how I could reconcile them with each other. When such a question is posed by a scientist or a philosopher, I invariably wonder how educated people could be so blind not to see that science does nothing else but explores God’s creation.

Tru dat, Professor!

Semper Fi - The Comedy

I'm not a frequent viewer of the Daily Show. Stewart can be funny, but his act wears thin on me. I spent the late eighties and early nineties thinking I had invented and perfected a detached, world-weary persona with a strong dash of fool blistering detatchement. Turns out I was just immature. Wish that had paid better.

Anyway, saw this clip and thought it was pretty damned funny. Berkeley wants the Marines out, out out! And not in a "Don't ask, don't tell" kind of way.

A note to those in Florida or Arizona

Hello friends -

If you are in Florida or Arizona please do the common courtesy thing and report daily on this blog your sights and seeings at any and all MLB Spring Training facilities. Those of us stuck in the daily wind, ice and snow storms would appreciate a little sunshine sent up north.

Thanks,

Someone who wishes they were in a warmer climate

Is it me or has American Idol jumped the shark?

I guess people have been saying it for a while now but maybe it has jumped the shark with me. I watched the Hollywood week but wasn't paying very close attention when it was on. Now they are starting to vote. I thought the guys were ok. Some were better than others. We'll see what the girls do tonight.

Thomas Andrew Arrives!

20.25 inches 7lbs 8oz at 5:44 am

The Steriod Era in Baseball

Has now turned into the game show "Who is telling the truth". I understand why Roger is defending his name - he has a lot at stake apparently the Hall of Fame is a big deal to him. So the question is - if it is such a big deal why would he jeopardize it and cheat? I do believe he is guilty. I think with how injury prone he has been late in his career he would use the HGH to get him back on the field. Then the next question is McName - why on God's earth do you still have the stuff you used to inject people just "lying around". One would suspect that you were hoping to "cash" in on this someday - especially with someone as big as Roger Clemens.

More questions - Why is this Congress' problem? Why can MLB police itself? Why did they extend Bud Selig's contract? What should the punishment be or why should we care if these people cheated as long as it doesn't happen in the future?

Ok my head is spinning and more questions keep popping up. Time to go rest and relax.

Are we about to get Boozered again?

Well it was in this morning's paper that CC Sabathia made a statement that he is tabling the negotiations for a new contract with the Indians until after the season. I do respect the fact that he would like to focus on baseball and not the contract and with Spring Training starting it is time he shift his focus on the season. However, doesn't he have an agent to deal with that. Hasn't he said to his agent here is what I am looking for - between $100-$150 million for 5 years - obviously the more money/years the better for "security" - and then leave it to the agent and team to hash out the rest? I guess not.

Why do I feel like CC is pulling Jim Thome or Carlos Boozer saying one thing and his intentions the whole time are to do another. I hate the business side of baseball sometimes - especially when it seems like we always get the short end of the stick. I guess we'll just have to watch and enjoy CC's farewell tour.

A Daring Political Prediction

Given Mitt's retirement from the electoral fray, I now feel confident in a prediction; the next President of the United States of America will be plucked from the US Senate. Republicans have Mac, the Dems have Hillary and BO.

I'm not crazy about the idea that our next chief executive might have never been a chief executive before. It is not a novel observation that the skills of a Senator do not really translate as well as the skills of a governor. If I pursue this line of argument it might lead you to think that I'm a Huckabee supporter. I'm not. And mostly because of his Tonight Show appearance.

He's a charming guy. But seeing a Governor from Arkansas jamming with a late show band gave me a flashback to the 90's.

I don't want to go back to the 90's. I really don't.

Hoops!

The Cavs are playing the Celtics tonight in Cleveland. Its a lot of back and forth - hopefully the good guys will get a W tonight.

I was surprised last night to read Bobby Knight was throwing in the towel. He said he was finished and tired of basketball. I guess that is when you know its your time. Hopefully there won't be a scandal coming out later that tells us the real reason he left.

Wow! A big upset

As soon as Bill Belicheck too to field I knew they were not going to win. Why you ask? Did I know he didn't cheat and try to steal signs from the last time they played the Giants? Nope. Was it the blank stares coming from Tom Brady and Randy Moss? Nope. It was the red hooded sweatshirt. I told my dear husband - where is the grey hoodie? Knowing sports and superstitions I saw this as a bad sign. It was amazing that the Patriots held the lead as long as they did. Manning had a nice game keeping his nerves in check and did well. I don't know what was more entertaining - the commercials or watching Peyton Manning's reaction to different plays during the game.

There is not Boston tea party today because of the red hoodie. How sad. What was he thinking??

Twas the night before the Super Bowl

and all through the country everyone debated who would win the big game. The players, grown men, will have trouble sleeping through the night in anticipation of the plays they will make. Fans all over the country have finalized plans on their feasts and I'm sure their fridge is stacked with beer. I wonder if the commercials will live up to par or will I fall asleep before the end of the game.

Writer's note - this was just my random thoughts and was not meant to rhyme or be creative in any sort of way. My throat is hurting so I think I better something cold to make it feel better.

Good night to all and to all a Good Super Bowl Sunday!

Kucinich Won't Be Our Next President

Why did Dennis drop out now? Are there no more windmills? Are our peace-loving alien friends on to another galaxy far, far away? Perhaps.

I have posted three comments critical of him in recent days. I can only say that the Representative who sometimes resides in the 10th Congressional District might have been feeling the heat coming off the Stop Me When I Am Lying blog universe!

The Indians announce the promotional schedule

Yesterday the Indians announced their promotional schedule. Looks like some very cool giveaways. I need something explained to me - where it has "Fan Vote" does that mean fans voted for this giveaway last year, online - when did this vote take place and was it limited to season ticket holders? Also in the article before they get to the list of giveaways - the Indians announce that group and season ticket sales are very brisk compared to last year. Nothing like creating a demand for when the individual tickets go on sale in about a month. If in fact the ticket sales are as good as they say (oh don't forget the naming rights money), I hope this means we will sign CC or that professional hitter we need in the line up before this year is over.