Buffalo Boy's Blog
Giving You More Than Just My Two Cents
January 2008 Archives
Blur
For me its Blur. Where has Oasis gone to? Blur is still active, Damon Alburn with Gorillaz has had a wildly successful side project and has been continuously releasing material.
Oasis on the other hand? Has disappeared. That doesn't mean their accomplishments have been diminished. Oasis is a good band, I think Blur outlasted them. Until Oasis comes out with another decent record, Blur takes my title.
Category: Music
Has It Ever Been Settled?
In the 1990's the Manchester scene was alive with Blur and Oasis. The two bands had a much talked about dislike for each other and it was disputed for years, who is better? Oasis or Blur? Well I may have found the answers we all have been looking for in these two videos....or did I find the answers? I like them both but I know there are fans who take sides so have at it!
Let the readers decide!
Video Part 1
Video Part 2
Category: Music
Saturday's at Frizb's
Im a little late with this one, partly because I usually do this post right after I get home and load my music into my computer, well I didn't come straight home and instead my purchases sat in the backseat of my car until tonight.
So without further ado, here is the most recent pick ups at Frizb's last Saturday.
1. Blur- Starshaped- I love Blur especially early stuff, pre-Song 2 Blur. This DVD had that and more. Live old Blur, There's No Other Way, For Tomorrow, Chemical World....all great live stuff.
2. Pearl Jam- Live Seattle Washington November 5th, 2000, I really like the live Pearl Jam discs, I wish other bands would do what they did that year and record every show on their tour and put them up for sale.
3. The Cure Staring at the Sea The Singles- Great Cure greatest hits to that early point in their career. Really looking forward to seeing them in May in Toronto.
4. Duran Duran- Decade- a compilation that doesn't waste any space on their newer stuff, this is all vintage DD.
5. Morrissey- Your Arsenal- My second favorite Morrissey disc to Bona Drag.
6. The Fratellis- Costello Music- Not much new catches my eye anymore that really makes me want to buy it but this band has caught my eye. Flathead is a great single off the cd and the rest of the disc is great too. Check them out.
As an added bonus Blur- Theres No Other Way
Category: Music
Thank You Once Again!
Thank You all again for reading! 1400+ hits this month! Previous high was 1100+ so I broke the previous record by 300 hits. Not bad, but we can do better baby!
Thanks for being loyal readers and keep those comments coming! Next month 1500+? I love doing this and its a lot of fun to hear from everyone!
Starting tomorrow the 15 days to spring training will feature analysis of all the positions on the Jays from the front office on down to the mound so if you are a Jays fan like me or just a baseball fan make sure you check things out.
Category: Blogging
Sabres 1 Florida 0
Three in a row! But they are not there yet. Make it four and then we can start talking 8th place. That should be the first goal. Get to 8th. 8th and we are in the hunt again. Once you get there, then worry about moving up.
Ryan Miller has been outstanding for this team since mid-December. What hasn't been outstanding has been timely goals. Last night they got both, the only goal of the game from Thomas Vanek who has been finding the score sheet again and a shutout from Miller.
Granted one goal games won't cut it, but at this point you take wins any way you can get them. Tomorrow night is Atlanta, rumor has it they are pissed because Buffalo ran up the score 10-1 last time the played and I say maybe instead of being mad about Buffalo running it up, they should have been mad at themselves for playing like shit.
I just hope Lindy doesn't decide that those rumors are worth putting Peters into the lineup. Tomorrow needs to be the fourth in a row, no losing until they take 8th. That will probably take 2-3 more wins in a row here to seal up 8th place.
Category: Sports
Passports To Cross Over.....
If it weren't for me already having one I would be bitching about this more. However, I will say this, the US government requiring passports or a special ID starting today to get back to the US is a fucking joke.
It doesn't make us safer, its not for our safety, its certainly not to keep terrorists out. What it is, is an hidden tax on everyone who lives on or close to the US/Candadian border. What is wrong with drivers licenses? They have worked for how many years and realistically, how many terrorists have come over the US/Canadian Border at lease around the greater Niagara region?
This hurts kids from both sides looking to ski or go to sporting events in Buffalo/Toronto. It hurts average people who may only cross the border 3-4 times a year who now have to go spend $90-$100 on new ID/passports. Its a hassle for those who just want to cross the bridge go to the casino and have a few hours of fun every once in a while.
Terrorists are going to find a way in no matter what anyway. If someone who is up to no good wants in, they are going to get in. All this does is raise money for the federal and state goverments by getting people to spend their hard earned money on something they already have, a legitimate identification called a Drivers License.
Category: News
John Edwards Is Out
It sucks but the candidate I was rooting for in the race is out. I liked his messages and I liked his ideas. I thought that he stayed out of the useless cat and dog fight between Obama and Clinton. The only thing that kept Edwards from winning was more exposure by the media.
That is sad. The media by choosing who to air more of during a race can decide a race. All the talk of late has been Obama/Clinton and nothing about Edwards. The media basically decides whos going to win depending on who they are going to pick on and find things to bicker about.
Its sad that in a democracy where the people should have choice, their choices are indirectly taken away from them because the media chooses to provide unequal air time for individuals running for the same nomination. Every candidate who has bowed out has had the same problem. You can say what you want but Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson did not get fair air time in the debates. In order to hear their ideas you really had to pay attention and tune in for the whole debates.
Its unfortunate that the mainstream media in this country basically provides the attention for who they feel are the front runner instead of giving each candidate an equal share and an equal voice. Of course most of the media is controlled by a few coorporate giants and they will air who they feel will net them the most viewers.
I hope an independent gets into the general election, I hope Al Gore is paying attention and biding his time to get into this thing.
Category: Politics
James New CD
James has always been one of my favorite bands over the years, they had the big song Laid on the American Pie soundtrack but they have lots of other great tunes.
I call them the closest thing we have left to the Smiths. Their sound, musically and lyrically all remind me of old Smiths. They are one of the bands I would love to see jump the big pond we call the Atlantic and do a US tour. Their new CD comes out April 7th and following its release they are touring Britain.
Lets hope they do a North American tour, even if they hit Toronto Ill be there. This isn't Laid, Its something else, this is Sit Down live in Manchester...Enjoy
Category: Music
Johan To Mets
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you to the NY Mets. Because of them, the Blue Jays have a legitimate shot at upsetting the Sox and Yankees this year. If either Boston or the Yankees get Santana that would be in Jeopardy. Instead, neither the Yanks or Boston get any better in the pitching department.
The Yankees were probably the more desparate between them and Boston to get Santana only because the Yankees will likely field a rotation of 3-4 rookies and Ching Meng Wang. Mike Mussina is done for all intensive purposes and lets face it, Andy Pettite is going to have a season full of distractions with the steroid thing.
If Boston got him their rotation would be just plain sick, Beckett, Dice K, Schilling/Wakefield, Lester and Santana, holy shit that rotation would be scary. Instead, Boston really only has one sure thing on the mound in Beckett. Dice K is iffy (he only won 13 and looked awful down the stretch), Schilling is on his last legs, Wakefield is the eternal .500 pitcher but with the knuckle ball could throw off your batting order for a few games if hes on, and Lester is unproven as of yet, he may be good but lets see how he does over a full season.
Now, the Jays won't have to see Santana unless they do the unthinkable and beat the Tigers in the ALCS and make the World Series which, I am predicting that even if the Jays make it that far, the Mets will find a way to blow a great thing like they do every year. Am I getting too far ahead of myself? Oh well, in the spring we all have hopes and dreams.
Category: Sports
Someone Get Some Balls!
I really wish someone at we never close...I mean People Inc. Elmwood Health Center would get some balls and close the place.
Im watching the list of closings and listening to the wind/watching the snow start to fall here and its going to be a useless day at the clinic not to mention a dangerous travel day for all.
The list of closings includes Southeast Works which we get patients from and the Cantalician Center Workshop which we get patients from. What is the difference in the weather between the Canatalician Workshop and the Elmwood Day Hab that makes it better just a mile or so away?
Watching the news this mornings there was observable wind damage within a couple blocks of EHC. Im not complaining because I only live a mile from work but the point is, we will have about 2 people show up today and the rest of the day will be twiddling our thumbs.
So, I say get some balls and close, no one died from Elmwood Health Center closing for one day. Not to mention that in these winds and the smaller, high profile buses that individuals come in on are vulnerable on the thruways and overpasses.
Part of me just wants the day off too but still, you have to consider the safety of individuals commuting to the site as well. If its unsafe for Buffalo public schools, the Cantalician workshop and Medaille College all of which are with in a few miles, its probably unsafe for our individuals.
Category:
Fantasy Hockey Update
My team the Road Apples had a great week last week going 9-3 to get one spot closer to possible playoff contention. I have to get to the top 6 and last week moved me from 8th to 7th and also boosted my overall record over .500 again. My overall record now is 95-89-28. Just one point from moving up into 5th as the two teams ahead of me have 211 points on the year. I have 210 points.
Last week I got major contributions from Henrik Lundqvist who went 2-0 with a 0.48 GAA and 1 shutout. Joe Thorton led the team in points with 4 assists...It was an All Star shortened week. I got goals from 6 different players. Vesa Toskala even chipped in with a win, he seems to be playing marginally better.
Stay tuned for updates as the Road Apples make a push for the playoffs in Fantasy Hockey. I will also be keeping my eye opened for Fantasy Baseball Drafts to start up soon as well.
Category: Sports
Up The Creek
I found a VHS copy of Up The Creek, the great 80's comedy starring Animal House star Tim Matheson who plays a college student in his 12th year of college. I got it on Ebay for $5. I can't wait to get it. Its been forever since Ive seen it and it has yet to be released on DVD. It was great comedy about 4 college guys who enter a rafting competition in exchange for their college degrees.
Yes the opening song is Up The Creek by none other than Cheap Trick. This is a video with some stills from the movie. When I get it maybe Ill invite some guys over for a viewing, Its definitely from that Animal House mold. There are no real video clips from the movie on Youtube because it hasn't been released on DVD.
Category: Movies
Another Sign Of Spring
Spring training that is. I found this Blue Jays spring training commercial on You Tube, Starting Friday Im going to start analyzing the team positions by position so get ready, 17 days, 15 hours and 4 minutes left till pitchers and catchers report!
Category: Sports
Hip For The Hell Of It
Im tired tonight so not much posting tonight, I have to read three chapters and do some outlines so I will be up for a while doing those, yes grad school is kicking in. Last semester of classes though so there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
So to tide you all over, Hip for The Hell of It.
Tonight, Im featuring a song that I really have grown to like as one of my top 10 favorite hip songs. Its Family Band off World Container. There is no official Video by the band for this song unfortunately. I love it, catching, great lyrics and awesome guitar work from Rob Baker and Lanois.
Not the greatest Video but the sound was the best in this video....This was from a show in Syracuse. on November 1st of last year. I was in Brockport for a swim meet and seriously considered taking the road trip for the night to go out there and come back in time for warm ups the next morning. That obviously didn't happen but at least I get to see a clip of this song.
Enjoy!
Category: Music
All Star Crap
Last night all you had to watch was the video Im posting right here. Its got all 15 goals that were scored and all the boring, no hit hockey you can skip and save yourself 2-3 hours of your life to do something more constructive. Hopefully, like me you did just that and knew that someone would be smart and post the goals on Youtube.
Well they did, and this was the first time I saw any highlights. I turned it on for about 5 minutes yesterday and no one, I repeat, in a contact sport, no one touched anyone. They could have called it Ice Dancing or Figure Skating.
The least the NHL could do was at least give the fans something that resembles a regular season or for that matter a playoff type game. You want the sport to be at its best because the best are playing it. Well the best don't play at their best because they are afraid they might get hurt or something. Well, if I had to watch all three periods of that, Im pretty sure my head would have hurt from watching the sport resemble a fraction of its true self.
So, enjoy the highlights because thats all you needed to see. 9 minutes, instead of 3 hours. You can all thank me later.
Category: Sports
Monday Nights
Monday nights I usually have had class until 9:30, still do, but more importantly, Monday night for me is Monday Night Raw. Yes I have admitted it before and I continue to be a wrestling fan. I make the case that it is still better than half the crap on TV including the bad Monday Night Football games when those are in session.
Here is some Raw footage from a few weeks ago when Jeff Hardy did a dive from about 30 feet in the air into a dumpster on top of Randy Orton:
Category: Television
Lower The Tolls Again
Since New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli thinks that the toll increases are not needed, then maybe they should lower the Grand Island Tolls and the rest of the recently raised thruway rates back to where they were.
Truth is that will never happen. I think what he should have said to clarify his statement is that "no further increases" are necessary. The way I and thousands of other New Yorkers understood it was that the recent hikes weren't needed which if they aren't they should be brought back to where they were.
Ill go one step further, the GI Tolls should be back to 50 cents or better yet, where they should have been by 1990, gone.
Category: News
Sunday Night Retro
I still tune into 102.1 occasionally on Sunday nights for Martin and the gang for retro and the innovators of new music. I thought that every Sunday night Ill find a little retro to celebrate that ongoing Sunday night gig on CFNY. May Sunday night retro never die on CFNY.....
This week, Sisters of Mercy- More
Category: Music
U2 in 3D
I am a big U2 fan and I do want to see this. U2 in 3D. U2 has always been creative with their videos including the very successful Rattle and Hum in the 80's that had the amazing soundtrack to go with it.
Category: Movies
Bono and Gore At The World Economic Forum
Bono and Al Gore both spoke at the World Economic Forum and they both to me sound better than any of the big world leaders who seem to operate with their heads in the sand when it comes to the issues of poverty and global warming.
Al Gore speaks of eliminating poverty and solving the climate crisis can and should go hand in hand. In the poorest regions of the world is where a lot of the pollution that causes global warming is being generated. Africa, China, Big US cities like NY and LA, India.
Bono, like him or not, has a voice and he uses it on a very important issue. I respect him for being very knowledgeable in the war on poverty and he speaks very fluently on the subject. Unlike some of the celebrities who come out and support various issues, Bono is very well educated and actually knows what he is talking about it and thus is well respected amongst world leaders, otherwise why would they invite him to these huge economic forums.
Bono makes mention in the following video on the Millenium Development Goals or MDG. There are 8 goals and they are in short the following:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Achieve universal primary education.
3. Promote gender equality and empower women.
4. Reduce child mortality.
5. Improve maternal health.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability.
8. Develop a global partnership for development.
To most of us we think, well that can't possibly refer to the US and Canada but they do. Take a look at our inner cities. The US and the Bush Administration has done little if not regressed in terms of promoting environmental sustainability, and has also done very little to develop global partnerships. The US has in fact alienated most of the world including at times our friends to the north.
At a time when leaders around the world should be working together, we are at war in a country we shouldn't be in and arguing over petty things like gay marriage. The media is no help leading with stories on Paris Hilton or Britney Spears or talking about the shallow aspects of presidential hopefuls like their appearance, personality, or what religion a presidential hopeful is, instead of the issues they plan to address.
By the way, this isn't political. This is about the well being of humans as a civilzation both economically and environmentally. Its about basic human rights. Humans have a right not to live in poverty and to live in a sustainable environment, one that isn't being destroyed by greedy coorporations looking to get every last cent out of our precious and limited natural resources.
There is a line from Bono in the second video I post here, "Don't change your light bulbs, change your leaders" because ultimately without good leadership, which the US has sorely lacked the last 8 years, we will not make good on the US and other countries commitments to the above goals
If you want to read more about the MDG the web page is http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
Category: News
Gore For President In 2008
Instead of hopping on the Obama bandwagon, I am hoping for the Al Gore turn of events. There are several Draft Gore organizations that have popped up online over the last year or so and there are still hints that he may in fact jump in on this thing.
I think he is the one person that both parties are afraid of jumping into this race because I think that Al Gore, unlike most of these candidates is A) honest B) truly concerned about problems affecting citizens of not only the US but of the world. As president of the US which is supposed to be a world leader, Al Gore gets it.
He gets the fact that in order to solve problems like poverty and the economic crisis, global warming and what will most certainly be the upcoming energy crisis (that if we are not in yet, we will be in soon), we shouldn't leave the rest of the world out. We need to work with other world leaders because the problems facing the US are global, thus we as a country have to make sacrifices to lead the rest of the world to solve these problems.
Don't get me wrong, if he doesn't jump in, Im supporting the democratic candidate, but if he does, its a new ball game. Here is the Draftalgore.org video supporting Al Gore for president.
Category: Politics
Obama On Track
Well after winning South Carolina, Barack Obama is smelling like roses. No sooner does he win in SC than the Kennedy family comes out in support of him. The Kennedy's are arguably still the strongest political family in Washington at least on the Democratic side.
This is incredibly surprising because they have traditionally been big Clinton supporters so this is a big change. I am still supporting Hilary, my second choice is still John Edwards but its looking more and more likely that Obama has gained the momentum he needs to win Super Tuesday.
That said, Clinton has some very Pro-Clinton states left that could swing this thing in her favor. New York will likely go Clinton as will California, but as the primaries have shown us thus far, you can't count on predicitons or polls because in most of the states so far, polls have been wrong going into it.
If Hilary falls out of the race Im hoping it becomes an Obama/Edwards ticket only because I think Hilary and Obama have beaten each other up to the point of no return as far as them teaming up.
I still think there is one guy not in this race yet that still could have a dramatic effect, but time is not on his side...Al Gore. I can still see him jumping in as an Independent. The other guy who I think could surprise everyone is Michael Bloomberg. It would be nice to see an Independent jump in and give us three choices down the stretch and provide the two major parties with a little push.
Category: Politics
Thank You Marcel
I was up in Niagara Falls, Ontario today visiting Marcel Dionne Enterprises. What a class act. He is a one of a kind. In addition to being a hall of fame hockey player and really in my mind one of the top 5 all time in the sport, he is easily one of the nicest guys.
I went up there today to see if he would be willing to donate to the Stingrays Swim Club. I had a donation letter. This time of year we are looking for items to put in our raffles/chinese auctions at our home swim meet and end of year banquet in March. He immediately got a Marcel Dionne Hall of Fame stick and autographed it with the HOF '92. What a great thing. I also came away with a Gil Perreault autographed hockey puck and a Thomas Vanek 8X10.
I would like to thank him for being such a nice guy and for taking the time to do what he did today. If you are a sports fan in WNY or Southern Ontario, by all means go visit his store. He is located on Montrose off of Lundys Lane. There is a ton of everything there from hockey, to baseball to NASCAR, you name the sport hes got the goods. He has a room full of high value items as well that my jaw just dropped in.
Told You I Couldn't Get Enough
This is one of many scenes with Lewis Black in Accepted....
Category: Movies
More From My New Favorite Movie
Accepted is my new favoirte movie. Witty, laughs all through it and Lewis Black is in it which provides some hilarious moments.
This is another great scene. I will probably post more later, I can't get enough of this movie.
Category: Movies
Time To Rock Our Faces Off
One of my favorite short lived groups of the early to mid 90's was a band out of NYC called Quicksand. I saw them play in Buffalo when I was in college at the old Icon. They absolutely rocked the place. They played with Seaweed and Snapcase. I didn't get into Snapcase though I believe they are still playing and Seaweed was a grunge/pop band out of Seattle who put out a few semi successful CDs before breaking up.
But we all went that night to see Quicksand...I have had them on my IPOD the last few days and if I stop at Frizb's later today Im going to check around for them.
In the meantime, this is called Dine Alone......
Category: Music
Im Not Falling For the Endorsement....
Ordinarily most guys would jump on board with whatever Scarlett Johansen had to endorse. If she was endorsing eating shit because it made you look good, you'd have to believe her. However, im not following her just yet on her latest claim that she "engaged" to Barack Obama.
This celebrity endorsement of candidates is getting a little ridiculous. I fully support the right to free speech and all that stuff and I think its great when those who have a voice come out and support their cause, because there are so many of us who don't have that same voice but Scarlett? Does she know anything about politics? Same with Oprah. What is she doing getting involved in Politics? These are two who have never been involved all of a sudden voicing their opinion and why?
Leave the politics to pissed off rebel rock bands. I hope that the majority of the American Public doesn't follow the celebrity who is endorsing the candidate but follows the issues that the candidates speak about. I like Obama but I need to hear what he is going to do before I go vote for him based on what some Hollywood hottie says about him.
Most of the media coverage isn't giving the American public specifics on anything that these candidates are going to do about issues this country is facing, instead they focus on semantics and how the look or how they act or how they dress or who is endorsing who. I don't care and none of us should care about the externals, we should care about the internals and what these candidates say on what is important in turning this country in a better direction from where George W. and his assholes have led us.
Does Scarlett know hes married already? She can't be engaged to him...Hilary should jump all over that that could cost Obama the Bible belt or better yet, get some votes back to Edwards.
Category: Politics
One Too Many Action Movies
Rambo comes out this past week and so does Stallone. Stallone admitted to using HGH to bulk up for Rambo and yes Im sure he looks great for 61 in the movies but the HGH must be melting his brain cells too. He admitted to using it and went so far as to say that there is nothing wrong with it,
Well there is something wrong with it. What your body stops producing naturally shouldn't be injected into you to make yourself something that you wouldn't ordinarily be. This is disturbing news from a Hollywood Icon.
I don't even know how to take this news other than we have gone through a long drawn out baseball offseason with the Mitchell Report reporting abusers of HGH and other steroids and then Stallone comes out and makes a statement saying its okay? Its not okay because its illegal. The next statement should be that he has been arrested for using an illegal substance.
I wanted to see the new Rambo and wanted to go this weekend, but now Im not so sure I care as much about it. And lets face it, he was using it for last years release of Rocky Balboa as well. Hes been using it because nobody looks like that in their upper 50's/low 60's.
Category: Celebrities | Movies
Imus Doesn't Deserve This....
No sooner does Imus return to the air than one of his advertisers sue him over some comments he made about the products. Have we really come to this point? No wonder why talk shows and news stations have become so bland and unopinionated. They are all so mainstream, close to the vest and play it safe that no one on the major news networks like CNN or Headline News has anything original to say that might go against what the average American does.
Imus made a comment about a product that just so happens to advertise while hes on air, does he have to like the products that sponsor him or advertise while hes on air? Is this advertiser so insecure with their ability to sell this product that they fear what Imus thinks is going to crush their sales?
Give me a break. I don't listen to Imus nor do I plan on listening to him but I felt sorry for the guy after hearing this and I hope he takes this company that is suing him to court and I hope he wins one for the media. That is really whats at stake here. Its media and the freedom of speech vs. coorporate America here. If this company wins then obviously you can't speak up about products you do or don't like on your show.
And really whats next? Newspapers not being able to publish editorials that might offend a sponsor or advertiser in the paper? Me, Toronto Mike, Freddie P or Humble not being able to speak of our dislike for things on our blogs? Why is Don Imus the whooping boy here and is it really deserved? I don't think so. If he loses this battle, it spells even more "politically correct" programming on radio and other forms of media in the States, is that really something we are willing to live with?
In honor of Don Imus and radio people out there, I give you Elvis Costello and his song Radio Radio a song written about how radio shoves mediocre music and programming down our throats and essentially dictates what we hear and don't hear.....
Category: Music
Find Another Guy to Fight
Andrew Peters has got to either learn how to fight or retire now. He is an absolute disgrace to fighting and all that Rob Ray and all other fighters in the NHL did before him. I have watched him fight last night for the last time hopefully, from now on when he fights Im turning off the game because I can't stand him embarassing himself on TV for all to see.
The guy is afraid to get hit. He hides his head by turning away from his opponent and uses his reach to his advantage so he doesn't get hit. Its pathetic and Im surprised Ray doesn't say something to him or talk about it during games that he does this. I think they should give Peters an extra two minutes in the box when he fights for being a friggin chicken shit. The result of his tactics are some of the most boring and non event fights in the history of the NHL.
Its ashame I couldn't get last nights video of him and Dallas' Krys Barch. It was probably the worst example of two NHL goons fighting EVER. You could have put on a waltz and if someone had told me they were figure skating, I probably would have bought it. I say they dump Peters and maybe they can call up Dylan Hunter. Anything would be better than Peters playing another game. Here are some videos to prove my point.
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Category: Sports
Rambo
Im loving this movie season already! Rambo is out this weekend and no it probably won't be as good as the previous ones but who cares. Its nostalgia that is getting me to this one.
After this its Indy! More on that as May 22nd gets closer!
Category: Movies
Rod Barajas, Welcome To The Jays
The Jays solidified one of the few positions left that I had worries about. Catching was going to be a worry this year with just Gregg Zaun and Sal Fasano so they went out and despite negotiations breaking down last offseason, made another attempt at getting Rod Barajas.
Barajas has power at the plate and the nice thing about him is he can throw runners out and with Zaun getting up there in age, you never know, Barajas may be the full time catcher for a year or so before the kids get to the big club. (Thigpen and Diaz).
I like this move and the only other problem I have going into spring training is the lack of a left hander in the starting rotation. It would be nice to see Gustavo Chacin get back in gear and find himself as the 5th starter. I am one of those who believes that in order to maximize the potential of your starting rotation you should have a lefty in there who can throw a lineup off for a game in a given series. If Gustavo doesn't come back that is the one and only move I hope that JP has in the back of his mind is making a deal for a left handed starter.
Category: Sports
Get One In Before The Break
Okay one to go tonight before the break, we have heard about their team meetings the last two days since losing in Phoenix and how they need to play desparate. This team has showed over the last two years how to fight back from adversity which is why each and everyone of us here in Buffalo has fallen for this team. Even loyal fans who stuck with them through the bad times have been crazier than normal over them.
Win tonight and go into this break feeling better, lose and we can safely start talking about where would be a good fit for Campbell at the trade deadline. Win, and maybe Max and Connelly come back and give the team a lift. Lose and they may be trade bait as well.
There is a lot riding on this game, the season and the team that we have known it for the last three seasons are all on the line.
Category: Sports
Feeling Like Retro
This is a video from 1982 from Echo and The Bunnymen doing Rescue live. They are still around and have recently released new material and have been semi regular visitors to Buffalo's Thursday in the Square.
Category: Music
Price of Oil Has Dropped, Why Not Gas?
I know there are other reasons for the price of gas remaining ridiculously high but I have to ask....Why does the price of gas respond immediately when oil goes up? Yet, when oil prices have fallen some $10-$15 a barrel over the last week or so the price of gas doesn't fall immediately.
It doesn't make sense. either prices of oil and gas are tied together or they are not but one can't go up with the other and then drag behind when one goes down in price. Its been beaten to death but you have to be real suspicious of big oil companies and profits and this is a big reason why.
When oil was just below $90 before the price of gas was under $3.00 a gallon, now its barely budged.
Category: Miscellaneous
MMB is Back
Its nice to see these guys back with new songs and maybe, just maybe a tour? They were the first band I ever truly jumped in the mosh pit for. You couldn't help it at their shows. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones with a lil old school Devils Night Out
Category: Music
Toyota Southern California Grand Prix of Swimming
Michael Phelps is on pace to be back and ready for the 2008 Summer Olympics. He is an awesome athlete and this summer is going to really put him on the world stage. I am looking forward to seeing more of him as the Olympics get closer. The last swimmer to really take on the sport like Phelps has was Matt Biondi.
Last weekend at the Toyota Southern California Grand Prix of Swimming Phelps won two gold medals and set a meet record in the 100 back in a time of :45.50. The interesting piece from this meet was that Phelp's third swim of the weekend came in second in the 100 yard breaststroke...Who beat him? A former Olympian by the name of Mark Gangloff. I have a small connection to Gangloff.
Dave Finger is the only coach currently coaching in the Niagara District to have coached an Olympic swimmer. Dave coaches for my club, the Stingrays Swim Club in Cheektowaga. Who was the Olympian? Mark Gangloff. Mark will be appearing in Webster, NY this weekend at the Senior Meet and Go The Distance Meet both competing and putting on a swim clinic for the kids. Below are two videos of Gangloff and Phelps. Keep an eye out for these two this summer.
Category: Swimming
Stop Bickering!
Stop the arguing. The more you bicker, the more you bitch at each other the more I like John Edwards, who I think is the best choice of the three of you anyway.
The only reason these two are winning is because the stupid ass media won't stop talking about you two and is two friggin dumb to talk about the decent candidate amongst the Democrats.
I like Clinton, I like Obama but the more I hear John Edwards speak and the more I see him avoid the crap that these two are getting into the more I want to see him win his home state of South Carolina and get himself some air time and back into his race.
Edwards has a better sense on the Economy, better healthcare plans and hes going to be tough on environmental issues and energy issues. He also has some great ideas on education which the republicans have royally screwed up with No Child Left Behind which is the worst educational policy ever thought of thanks to Mr. Bush.
So please, stop bitching at each other so the media can give John Edwards some air time.
Category: Politics
Throwing Money Around
Does anyone really think that throwing $800-$1600 per household is really going to solve the underlying problems with our economy?
This president and his administration has missed the boat again. The underlying problems start with the fact that this country is losing jobs, the auto industry in this country is in shambles because they refuse to adjust to, never mind gettting ahead of the curve when it comes to fuel economy. Toyota has far surpassed any American car company because they have the most fuel efficient and economical vehicles which is what the majority of people in this country are looking for.
In addition the country is broke, borrowing money from China, South Korea, Japan and India to fix the problems only increase the national debt. The majority of the stimulus package is coming from overseas. How embarrassing is that, that a one time economic super power has to borrow money from other countries to stimulate its economy.
The housing market is in shambles and the energy situation in this country is pathetic. So go ahead and continue to support this President who continues to show his total ineptness.
Here is an idea, get out of Iraq and save the billion a day that is being spent there. Its a war we should have never been involved with. The more they talk about this insane package the more it makes me sick because its not going to do anything substantial to fix what is wrong. All its going to do is delay the inevitable.
Trade Him
After the All Star game, for all intensive purposes, Brian Campbell is done with his career here in Buffalo. It is not that he is not good enough to be here, not that he is not liked here, but the Sabres are not going to make the playoffs and its time to find some new blood.
The Sabres need to make this move for the reason that if they let him leave in free agency for nothing then they will have lost a third superstar caliber player in the last two years for nothing. This year is different than last year. This year is not going well, they probably won't make the playoffs and they need to find some new players or young talent that will help this team rebuild
Yep, I said it rebuild. After Drury and Briere left did anyone stop to think just how young this team is? They are one of the youngest teams in the NHL without those two. They have also been playing all year with out the stabilizing effect of Teppo on the blue line.
So, after they get their exposure in the All Star game, get the offers, evaluate what is the best one, and unload Campbell, package him with Max if you have to, but make the move instead of preaching patience this and patience that. Just make the move and get on with the process of building the team back up.
Category: Sports
Gary Gnu
Since starting this blog I can see how hard it is some days to come up with blog worthy material, I mean I actually started writing about rating public restrooms! So I suppose some days, no news is good news, or according to this guy.........
Category: Television
Just Get To The Break
Another day, another loss. Just get to the Allstar break and regroup at this point. 6-2 loss to the Coyotes? It wasn't even close. It was 4-1 by the end of the first and Buffalo didn't look remotely interested in playing with the exception of maybe Jason Pomenville. The rest of the team was sleepwalking.
If you can somehow find a way to get a point or even a win in Dallas maybe it helps at least get you thinking positive thoughts before the break, otherwise, its 12 losses in the last 13 games.
Im sorry to say it but trading Brian Campbell and Maxy is starting to make more and more sense with every loss. Max hasn't played since November or December and when he has, hes worthless. Campbell is the only player on the roster anyone would want.
Spring Training is......25 days, 15 hours and 49 minutes away......can you hear the clock ticking ....tick tock tick tock, its the time ticking away before I go all out baseball.
Category: Sports
Rating Public Restrooms
I don't know about most of my readers, but when I go to the bathroom in a public place I want a quality experience. Im a busy guy and that 5, 10, 15 minute dump might be the quietest, most relaxing moments I have all day. So, I thought why not rate public restroom experiences from time to time for all of you so that when you go to a public place in and around the greater Western New York/Southern Ontario area you are prepared for the experience you will have when utilizing the facilities that are offered.
What gave me this nutty idea was an experience I had last summer at the Eastern Hills Mall. I had to drop my car off to get some repairs so I figured why not take a walk up to Eastern Hills. So I went and walked around the mall for a few hours and I had to take a dump. I went to the pulic restroom in the food court.
Well, after sitting on the shitter that automatically flushed with the slightest twitch of my ass, spraying my hind quarters with that spray that comes from a public restroom power flusher. Add to that single ply toilet paper and spool that didn't turn very well and it took me 10 minutes just to rip off enough single ply sheets to wipe my ass for the first wipe which always requires the most TP. Then the automatic faucets only ran for 5 seconds at a time which for most hot water taps, is not long enough to even get a breath of hot water for washing your hands.
What is it with automatic faucets? Automatic flushers? We could curb greenhouse gases right there just by eliminating the electricity to run those. Where did humans become so lazy that they can't press the damn handle? Its to save water you say? Bullshit...that toilet flushed 10 times from me shifting on the seat. I didn't even get to admire my work of art....come on guys you admire it don't ya! Spend all that energy on it and you have to give it a gander.
So, to say the least I rated Eastern Hills a D. I would have given it an F but it was actually clean, no residuals left in the toilet prior to me and there wasn't water all around the sinks (probably because it would'nt stay on long enough.
So that adventure got me thinking of this idea and my adventure this past weekend was worthy of a note.
I was at a swim meet yesterday at the Webster Aquatic Center just outside of Rochester. Its a beautiful facility 50 meter pool that with the bulkhead can divide into two, 10 lane, 25 yard pools, worthy of high scale meets in the Rochester area. That is beside the point. Now most of you, unless involved in swimming will never have to worry about this particular public restroom but beware of the general concept.
The downstairs bathroom...All Stainless steel! When your bathroom borders the outside and is on the ground floor and its 3 degrees out, bring a seat cover. Initially, I sat down to take a dump and it was cool but not frigid. The water may not have been flushed in a while and therefore the rim of the bowl had time to moderate slightly. So the warmth from my ass slowly warmed the seat.
I went to courtesy flush and stood up briefly and the water that was ushered into the toilet must have been slush in the pipes because when I went to sit again, if I had been sweating on my ass or had any residual moisture on the seat, I would have froze to the thing. Holy shit stainless steel bowls get cold when its 5 degrees out after a flush. My advice, if you see one on the ground floor avoid it. Next time at in Webster, Im shittin upstairs during the winter.
Email me with your public restroom experiences good or bad and I will post them from time to time
Category: Public Restrooms
Leafs 4 Sabres 2
Okay, would anyone dispute that the Sabres have now lost 11 out of their last 12? I watched the first period from the Chairmans Club at Seneca Niagara Casino and it looked sloppy from the get go. The Leafs looked pretty strong and looked to be outskating Buffalo for most of the period.
Maybe its better I didn't watch the rest after all. 6 more road games to go with the next one in Phoenix, something tells me this is it. If they don't win say, 5 out of their next 6, this season is pretty well close to being done. I won't stop rooting for them, I have stuck with them since I could say the word Sabres but if they drop this road trip, Im all about baseball again.
Thats the beauty of being a fan of both Hockey and Baseball, when one is winding down, the other is getting itself going. How many more days till Spring Training?
Category: Sports
Happy Birthday Dad
If you see my dad today, wish him a happy birthday! Hes 61 years young today. We are going over after I get done with swim practice later, going to the Casino and having dinner at the steak house.
Category: Miscellaneous
Manfred Mann
Of course, I have to give the original credit. Manfred Mann did the original Do Wah Diddy which of course, I can't get the damn song out of my head.
Category: Music
Classic Movie: Stripes
Stripes, yet another classic movie has been on HBO lately. Its funny, the classics are classics for a reason. You see them over and over and they are still good. You can't say that about many movies or CDs that come out these days.
Stripes is definitely one of them. The one scene that sticks with me? Do Wah Diddy Diddy Dum Diddy Do.....
Category: Movies
New York Dolls
The New York Dolls are coming to Buffalo to play the Tralf in February. Its a show I wouldn't mind seeing despite there only being two original members in the group. The two originals in the band at the moment are David Johansen and Slyvain Slyvain. Johansen is the original lead singer and Slyvain Slyvain one of the original guitarists.
The Dolls influenced hundreds of bands but most notably The Sex Pistols, Aerosmith, Guns and Roses and The Smiths. I actually have an old Smiths sticker with Morrissey in a New York Dolls T-shirt that I got from the now closed Home of the Hits record store in Buffalo. The rest of the Doll's original lineup included guitarist Johnny Thunders who died in 1991, bass guitarist Arthur "Killer" Kane, and drummer Billy Murcia. Their first show in 1971 was actually at a homeless shelter, the famous Endicott Hotel.
They went on to help make the legendary CBGB's club in New York the legend it is today. Morrissey acutally organized the groups reunion of the three surviving members back in 2004. This is the original lineup in a video for one of the classics from the group, Personality Crisis.
Category: Music
Thank You Sabres For Ending That 10 Game LOSING STREAK!
The 10 game LOSING STREAK is over. 10 losses in a row ended with 10 goals, how sweet it is. As the goals piled up last night I tried to remember the double digit goal games Buffalo has had in the past. I remember the one they had against the Kings in 2006 and I also remember as clearly as yesterday the 14-4 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1980. Otherwise, how many 10+ goal games have they had?
I tried to look it up but there are no sites that give that particular stat. I haven't seen the Buffalo News this morning so maybe they will have those numbers in the paper.
Anyway, they played a tired Atlanta team and tonight they play the Leafs. The 10 was nice, but save some for the 7 game road trip that starts tonight.
It was nice to see Derek Roy back. Go figure a center that can actually score. I was getting a little uneasy seeing Adam Mair as the number 1 center.
Category: Sports
10 Game Losing Streak Not a Winless Streak
This article was sent to me by my friend Hank. Despite what the article states, it was a losing streak. If it was a "winless streak" there would be ties. They can call the losses what ever they want, overtime losses, shootout losses, the key word in there is LOSS.
The Sabres lost at the end of every one of the previous 10 games. We as sports fans and Sabres fans can use the pity point and "overtime loss"/"winless streak" mentality to massage our egos, or we can face reality and know that in the end what happened was a 10 game losing streak.
I get a lot of Canadian readers and I will bet that the difference between us and Leaf fans is that Leaf fans will call it what it is, a losing streak, Buffalo fans will sugar coat it.
Thus my reason from previous posts that the pity point needs to be axed. If you want three columns or four columns in the standings you can have W-L and then OW (overtime win) and SW (shootout win). A loss is a loss, no matter what point of the game you lose. Award the team that wins in overtime with 3 points then lets see the style of hockey change in this league.
Category: Sports
Tax Cuts Are Not The Answer
Did I hear him right? $150 billion economic stimulus package? Seriously? Where does the village idiot expect to get the money for to pay for this? I suppose sacrificing medicaire and social security would be in line? Hell they are almost dead anyway, drain the last of the money from those two programs to pay for it.
Here we are paying $1 billion a day for the Iraq war, social security hasn't been fixed, gas prices are sky rocketing, the housing market is horrendous and the US dollar is the weakest it has ever been against the Canadian dollar and he thinks that $800-$1600 per household and a bunch of temporary tax cuts is going to fix the economic crisis in this country?
I disagree. Yes the money would be nice to have, but the problems run deeper and the idiot and his administration knows it. They pulled this shit before when people were still fuming over the defeat of Gore in Florida and everyone forgot about Gore for a while after that because of a $300-$600 rebate back in 2001 which also was at a time when the country was going broke.
Here he is again trying to buy votes for the republicans with immediate rebates again and the country is going broke yet again. What a friggin stroke of genius. When Im broke Im going to prance down my street with dollar 20 dollar bills for everyone singing happy songs! Well this time, I don't want the money, I want a democrat in the White House (or Ron Paul). It would be nice if John Edwards could make up some ground and win this thing but he probably won't.
There are so many other things that can and should be done instead of stuffing our wallets with tax breaks and refunds meant in large part to buy votes in 2008. I love the money in my wallet as much as the next American, but this time, that money needs to go elsewhere to help turn this country around.
MP3's
Toronto Mike just posted on how MP3's just aren't the same and I agree. My wife has been bugging me about my CD collection proudly on display in our small home and I tell her its something to be proud of. It should be displayed. I like looking at the CD covers and cases.
I as well have all of my CD's now converted to MP3 which is fine and I really don't need my CDs to play them, but I still like to take out the case and read the liner notes and see the art that goes with the music. MP3's are nice because they are certainly more portable than CDs and there is no worry about scratching an MP3, however, you lose the connection with the artist.
That is why I am happy to live about a block and a half from Frizb's. For a while I stopped buying CD's. They are expensive at the traditional stores in the mall and even Bestbuy and besides, I could download off Limewire for nothing. I figured why spend X amount of dollars on a whole CD if 75% of the songs are junk and all I want to hear is what I like.
Frizb's takes some of the risk out of it with $5 Saturdays. They are small, yet their collection there is substantial and I always find something worth spending $5 on. I don't mind spending $5 on something, its spending $15 on half junk. That and instead of buying the .99 cent songs on Itunes that don't give you a hard copy with CD artwork, I'd rather have the artwork and hard copy and convert it to my ITunes library.
I haven't been there in a few weeks with Christmas and that but I may stop by over the next few weeks so look for my Saturday's at Frizb's to start soon.....
Category: Music
Why?
Why is this show so.....so....watched? Its awful. The music is awful, the singers are awful, they are talentless people who can sing. They certainly can't write their own music and lets face it, lets look at previous winners and see how long they remain popular.
All this show does is provide 15 minutes of fame to those who besides the ability to sing, aren't worth 5 minutes of anyones time.
Why can't it be a show about bands that have to write the best new song in order to win. Put some talent into it. Anyone who has a singing voice can get up there and sing to a musical track. I think its called....theres a word for it.....Karaoke? Yes, millions of Americans waste precious nights away watching glorified Karaoke....great, how far society has come.
Category: Music | Television
Pee In The Listerine!
Last night at 10:00 or so I recieved a phone call. It was from our swim club president. Apparently, one of the boys from my group spotted two other young lads up to no good and he being the good guy that he is let his mom know and she called our president.....What did they do you ask?
The two of them found a bottle of Listerine in a locker and decided it would be a good idea to pee in it. Yes thats right, urinate in the bottle of Listerine. These are 9-10 year old boys mind you. So when I was initially told of the incident I had to hold back the laughter at first because what kids don't goof off and pull a little trick like that from time to time in the locker room.
I remember the icy hot in the underwear tricks and the hiding of peoples clothes in all the different lockers during practice that went on during swim practice. Some of the pranks were funny, others went over the line.
So, me being the now responsible coach, laughed on the inside and then had to deal with it as a professional. On either Friday or Saturday the next time I see these boys I have to sit down with them and their parents and discuss this situation. I also have to use this as an opportunity to remind my group of athletes that they are not to goof off in the locker room, all while laughing at the whole childish thing on the inside, because unlike most, I remember what it was like to be a kid.
What would be a responsible consequence for them? My initial thought...a formal written apology to both the school and the swim club for their actions before they can return to practice. Unlike some poor behavior, this is not one that can have the consequence of swimming an few extra laps, this needs to have consequences outside of the pool.
What should the consequences be? You tell me...Im open to suggestions even though Im leaning toward the apology one.
Category: Swimming
29 To Go
We are inside 30 days to the big day! 29 more days till pitchers and catchers report.
Category: Sports
Thank You Everyone!
I want to take a minute to thank everyone for stopping by and reading my site. I checked my stats for the month of January and I already have 852 hits for the month. My busiest month was October with a little over 1100 hits so I am well on my way to breaking the record for my young blog. Now not all those hits are legit, some are trackbacks and spam looking to leave crappy little advertisments in my space but I know a lot are readers.
I didn't know what to expect when I first started but let me tell ya, its a blast reading what comments I get and having you chime in. It is kinda a story about my daily life and what is on my mind whether its a silly cartoon off youtube, a serious politcal tone, sports, current events, or just some cool tunes.
I have a lot to learn still about maintaining this thing and I keep bugging Toronto Mike to help me out with stuff but my goal throughout the course of this year is to learn more about this maintaining and updating stuff on my own. So I would like to thank Mike for his continued help, Freddie P, Humble Howard and all of you! For now though I hope all who stop by to read are having fun and keep leaving me lots of comments!!!!!!!!
Category: Blogging
10 Losses and Counting
My how far this team has fallen. 10 games in a row down the crapper. In all those 10 they have scored 2 or fewer goals. In roughly half those, they played well enough to win with 35-45 shots on goal.
What has happened? Are there no leaders amongst this team? Maybe its time to fire Lindy? Are his messages not getting through? Im confused right now because I have been the one saying don't worry, they will come around and yet they somehow find a way to lose.
I remember Lindy saying when you're winning it all comes easy, when you're losing you never know when its going to end. Right now the Sabres are a shell of their former selves. Maybe they needed this year to happen to bring them down to earth from the cloud they were on from the last two years.
This team came into this year thinking they could win on talent, that is not the case. Right now, I hope they miss the playoffs, not because I want to see them lose, but I think the young kids who have been on the ride for the last two years, need a dose of reality.
Category: Sports
Countdown to Spring Training
You will notice at the bottom of the blog there is a new countdown to spring training that Toronto Mike was so nice to install. I am not as up on maintaining the graphics as I want to be so it was nice of Mike to help me out.
That said, my countdown usually begins right after last pitch of the World Series. I hate winter and the cold and darkness so any sign of spring is welcome. As of today there is only 31 days left till the boys of summer are back and hopefully, BJ Ryan will be amongst the healthy and ready to go.
So enjoy the countdown and as it gets closer, believe me I will be talking baseball.
Category: Sports
Stop The Pigeon
We had an individual in the clinic today that had a laugh just like Muttley, which got me thinking of this classic cartoon and its theme song. This one brings me back to when I was 5-10 years old and the great cartoons that were on.
Category: Television
Asking for More Oil?
George W. Idiot continues to prove that he is in fact if not the worst president in history, one of the dumbest. He was in Saudi Arabia asking OPEC to open up their reserves to ease the price increases we are experiencing in the US. Is he on crack?
I seem to remember a speech he made not long ago about the US being addicted to oil. So theres a great idea....Not! Why does he think this is a good idea? This is like offering a heroine addict more heroine to get them to stop using heroine. Not to mention the fact that oil is a dying resource. They can increase output but only for so long before demand will outstrip production and we will be right back where we started or worse.
Instead of decreasing our demand of foreign oil, he wants to increase it. Is he even on the same planet anymore? So once again, we have been misled by this guy. Wake up and smell the friggin coffee people!
If the answer were increasing output the OPEC nations and Saudi Arabia would have done it a long time ago. The answer is conserving and decreasing our use of the stuff. For those of you who drive a monster truck to work, find something smaller and more fuel efficient. There is an Idea. The fact is, Mr. Bush doesn't want to go through with the new fuel economy standards that the EPA put into effect and he figures that if he can drive down the price of oil all of us who don't pay close atttention will ignore it.
Once a dirty oil man, always a dirty oil man and once again the idiot flips off the people in this country that care. Bush seems to think that oil prices are what is causing the economy to fail, again, the man must not be paying attention. Even OPEC and the Saudi's understand that the price of oil isn't what is causing our economy to crumble. Here is the article and also the video of George the Idiot lying out of the asshole he calls a mouth.
Whats that black stuff coming out of his nose?
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/681e5234-c3d8-11dc-b083-0000779fd2ac.html
Responding to remarks by Mr Bush, who is staying with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, Mr Naimi said: "Presidents and kings have every right, every privilege, to comment or ask or say whatever they want."
He added: "The concern for the US economy is valid but what affects the US economy is more than the price of oil."
Leave Her Alone
I was watching CBS this morning and I couldn't help for start to feel sorry for Britany. Enough is enough. With all the media and photo hounds following her its no wonder she has gone over the deep end.
If any of us were followed like her by photographers and jack ass media people we would probably be going insane as well. I understand that there is a certain mystique about famous people and Britany's fame brought this on but why is it so fanatical?
What she does in her normal everyday life is none of the tabloid medias business. The problem is, mainstream media has become no better than the tabloids with lead stories on Britany and Paris Hilton when in fact their lives are not news at all. They are just two girls that the media follows and drives insane in the process.
The insanity is that they make news before bigger stories like healthcare, the war, the economy and the environment. Now those are stories that CBS, CNN, NBC, and Headline News should be following. Instead they lead off with Britany in a food court. Great, that informed me with all I needed to know about this world.
Seriously? If that were me I think Id be in the same state Britany is right now.
Now that I got that off my chest, I can't believe I just defended her. I still think shes talentless and can't understand why people even liked her or needed to pay that much attention to her in the first place. Think of all the time wasted by intelligent people reporting on such a worthless story.
I use the term intelligent losely because if they had any brains, they wouldn't give enough of a rats ass to report it in the first place.
Category: Celebrities | News
Rock and Roll High School
I was in a school frame of mind the last two days with grad classes starting back up. This is my second last semester. Next December I will graduate with my masters in special education with certifications in special education, elementary and middle childhood on top of my bachelors in physical therapy. So there is light at the end of the tunnel, granted I still have more to go to meet the goals I have set out for myself.
So, I was skipping through my IPOD and The Ramones came on with this little classic:
Category: Music
Hip for the Hell of It
This is a great song off Trouble at the Henhouse that quickly caught my attention when I bought the CD years ago. This is the Hip performing it in the Netherlands in 2006 in a decent fan produced video. The song sounds great live and I think the only time I have heard this song live was on the TATHH tour and maybe in Erie on the Phantom Power tour, otherwise I haven't heard this song live much. This is Don't Wake Daddy and it features Gord at his best.Category: Music
Autism
Speaks for *each time* this video is viewed. The funding goes toward
research studies to help find a cure. When you have a moment, please
visit the link below to watch the video and pass it along to your
friends and family.
They are aiming for 10,000 hits, but hopefully we can help them to
surpass this goal.
http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214
Category: Miscellaneous
No Writers, No New Rules?
WTF! I stayed up for the new Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO Friday night and there were no New Rules! Whats up with that?
No writers I guess means no New Rules. So to wet my appetite for new rules here are a few videos of Bill doing his thing:
Category: Television
Hillary is Not Racist
Hillary is not racist. This whole thing once again has been blown up by the media and has put both Clinton and Obama at risk here for losing sight of the big picture.
Anyone who took her comments out of context and thinks that she meant anything racial by them needs to go to get the head checked. Why would she mean anything racist, this women does'nt have a racist bone in her body.
All she meant was that Martin Luther King Jr. got the ball rolling on civil rights and it took an experienced president like Lyndon Johnson to enact the movement that MLK started. She wasn't trying to diminish what Dr. King started. Without him we would probably still be where we were 40+ years ago with a country divided by racism. Because of him, the political system stood up and took notice and did something about the racial policies that were in place in this country.
Why are we so racially and politically sensitive in this country? Take a step outside this country into Canada, Europe, Asia, or anywhere and they are laughing at how crazy we get. Most people in the western world (meaning the US) don't listen when someone speaks. They hear what they want to hear and leave the intelligent part out.
If we were actively listening to Hillary's comments you couldn't even get to racism in it. As usual though, the media only hears what they want to hear, they get it jumbled up and present it to the dumbed down American public who translates their version representing the 50% they actually heard.
The word Stupid is latin for "hit over the head so hard that you can't hear". For all you who heard Hillary's comments and really thought or still think that she is remotely a racist woman and are therefore either not voting for her or hate her even more for it, you are all truly STUPID.
Category: Politics
Scott Rolen in Toronto????
I literally didn't see the light of day since Friday so after getting home from Eden, NY and our swim meet last night around 8:30 I was surprised to learn that the Blue Jays were making a move.
At first look, Rolen for Glaus seems like a lateral trade, however, this is anything but the case. I look at this as a Tony Fernandez/Fred McGriff for Joe Carter/Robbie Alomar type deal. When that deal went down I thought it was a pretty even trade.
When it finally passed though we all found out the character that the Blue Jays acquired in Carter and Alomar far outweighed the stats.
The same thing is happening in this move. Glaus is a good third basemen, don't get me wrong. But, he is no leader. Glaus to me at times seemed disinterested and lazy.
Scott Rolen on the other hand, is a leader and he will walk into this Toronto clubhouse with a winning attitude that will rub off on some of the young guys immediately. Rolen also has what few others on the Toronto team has, playoff experience and when it gets to September this team will need that.
Category: Sports
Look Out!
Here comes the French Connection! Perreault, Martin and Robert. I even remember the song that went with them back in the 1970s but I can not for the life of me remember who wrote it, was it the same as the one who did We're Gonna Win That Cup? Help me out on this one....
Category: Sports
Top 10 Calls from RJ
Top 10 Rick Jeanerette Calls. If these don't give hockey fans chills, Sabres fan or not, nothing will.
Category: Sports
13 Years for This!
Where do I sign up? Washington made the smartest move anyone has made in the NHL this year by signing Alexander Ovechkin to a 13 year deal worth $124 Million dollars. The Sabres did the same with Vanek but unlike Washington, it was not on their terms, it was Edmonton's doing that got the Sabres into that contract. The fans of Washington need to do their part now, go out and buy tickets and support their franchise. They have a great talent for years to come.
I still am amazed by this goal.....
.
Category: Sports
Three Strange Days
School of Fish was one of those bands that I always wish had more time in the music scene. They released two cds, the second of which Human Cannonball was my favorite of the two but was not their most popular. The career of the band was cut short when lead singer Josh Clayton-Felt died of testicular cancer in 2000 on January 19th. Add him to the list of musicians whose lives were taken too early. This is Three Strange Days their most popular off their first cd.Category: Music
Bronze Championships in Eden, NY
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After tomorrow I'll be kinda spotty for the weekend. Ill be in Eden Saturday and Sunday for Bronze District Championships. Its a great meet and we are taking about 20 athletes with us.
Warm ups both days start at the ridiculous hour of 7am. One of the few meets that does start at that hour so you kinda have to grin and bear it. Usually warm ups start at 8 and meet at 9, but in order to fit the timeline in they had to move it up an hour.
Wish us luck, Ill be checking in tomorrow and then that will be it till Sunday night or Monday.
Category: Swimming
Taking Out The Blue Lines
I can't help but notice how tight space has gotten in the neutral zone lately. Its back, that damn boring neutral zone trap and it makes for boring hockey.
Im not making excuses for the Sabres, anyone who has kept an eye on this now 8 game losing streak will tell you exactly what I have been saying, the effort is there, the finish isn't. Part of the reason for that is teams are clogging up the neurtal zone again and some of the clutching and grabbing is coming back.
Does the NHL really want this system played again when you have such talent as Sydney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin out there? I don't think so.
All I know is a game that should have been exciting as hell tonight between the Senators and Sabres was pretty damn boring because there was no action in either end for extended periods.
How do you get rid of the trap? The NBA did away with zone coverage, their referees can call illegal defenses, but I don't think the NHL would like that in their game, it would create more stoppages.
My thought and one that Schopp and the Bulldog were talking about on WGR yesterday was removing the blue lines. You essentially remove the neutral zone and create two equal halves of ice, once you go in onsides you have half the ice in the offensive zone to work with.
It would create a ton of room for skille players and open things up for defensemen making it much easier to pinch. I like the idea, Some hockey traditionalists might not. What do you all think? Has anyone else noticed the lack of offense again in the league?
Category: Sports
Hip For the Hell of It
I found this great rendition of Courage performed in the Netherlands in 2006. Its not my favorite studio track by the Hip but live, they turn this song on its head!
Category: Music
OU812
I still have the original cassette copy I bought of Van Halen's OU812. I remember we played the hell out of that cassette too. What a great VH set. I know there are those who liked David Lee Roth better, I liked them both. Sammy brought a certain something to them that Diamond Dave lacked for a while. So while VH is reunited with Dave, I am reminiscing about the Sammy VH years. 5150 and OU812 were two of VH's best (including the DLR stuff). Here is the video for When Its Love.....
Category: Music
A Classic Scene From Animal House
This was probably the best movie of its time. Animal House is still as funny now as it was back then and this scene is right up there with the Bluto's speech at the frat house that you see on sporting event jumbotrons. This is the cafeteria scene from Animal House, I love the line when she calls Bluto a P-i-g Pig. Watch and enjoy.
Category: Movies
$1.00 Is Too Much
The Grand Island tolls and the New York State Thruway Authority have gone too far. They have got to be kidding. $1.00 to drive a car to Grand Island. It was $0.50. It has essentially doubled in two and a half years.
I don't live there anymore but I still need to go there to visit my parents and paying that dollar will be painful. The Thruway Authority initially was supposed to remove the Grand Island tolls years ago but because they pay outrageous contracts to shitty painters to maintain the bridges with ugly ass paint, they charge tolls.
According to the Buffalo News operating costs for the Bridges are $8-9 million a year (how much of that is for paying salaries of people working tolls and maintaining toll booths?). The tolls collected $22 million. There is a law stating that tolls can only collect what it costs to maintain the bridge. Add to that the fact that the only years they are spending $8-9 million are years that they actually paint the bridges which wasn't this past year and they don't need a paint job this year.
That would mean that someone owes Grand Island and drivers a little over half their tolls back over the years. Where is the extra money going? Probably to New York City. Point is that the $1 tolls are a complete and utter joke and they should be a quarter if nothing at all.
Category: News
No More Bill
Bill Richardson dropped out of the presidential race and thats too bad. I like him. I honestly believed that he was one of the honest ones who talked on a level that we could all understand, instead of the annoying typical political BS that most politicians throw at you.
He supported education and paying teachers, which I will be a teacher next year. He wanted to implement a minimum wage for teachers of $40,000 a year which I think is still too low.
He would have been a good energy and environmental president. He served as energy secretary and had experience implementing policy on energy issues.
I think that him dropping out creates a huge void on the democratic side, one that to me represented a legitimate underdog. When you think of politicians, the last word that comes to mind is honest, with Richardson, it was the first word that I thought of, go figure, an honest politician. If Hilary and Barack had not created such a huge stir in this election, I think Bill would actually be a front runner.
Category: Politics
7 and Counting
I didn't post much today, was out enjoying the nice weather and then settled in to see if the Sabres could break out of their funk.
It didn;t happen. 1 goal, thats it,just one god damn goal. Vanek hit a post in overtime and couldn't put it by Broduer in the shootout. Im really just starting to feel sorry for the guy, he can't buy a goal right now and the frustration is starting to show.
The good news, they got a pity point so they didn't lose all tonight. I suppose when you are in a funk like this those pity points do keep you at least floating at times.
Next up Ottawa and by all accounts Thibeault is getting the start....Yikes.
Category: Sports
Hall of Fame Voting Yields One Inductee
|
Hall of Fame Results Player |
Total Votes | Percentage |
| Rich Gossage | 466 | 85.8% |
| Jim Rice | 392 | 72.2% |
| Andre Dawson | 358 | 65.9% |
| Bert Blyleven | 336 | 61.9% |
| Lee Smith | 235 | 43.3% |
| Jack Morris | 233 | 42.9% |
| Tommy John | 158 | 29.1% |
| Tim Raines | 132 | 24.3% |
| Mark McGwire | 128 | 23.6% |
| Alan Trammell | 99 | 18.2% |
| Dave Concepcion | 88 | 16.2% |
| Don Mattingly | 86 | 15.8% |
| Dave Parker | 82 | 15.1% |
| Dale Murphy | 75 | 13.8% |
| Harold Baines | 28 | 5.2% |
| Rod Beck | 2 | 0.4% |
| Travis Fryman | 2 | 0.4% |
| Robb Nen | 2 | 0.4% |
| Shawon Dunston | 1 | 0.2% |
| Chuck Finley | 1 | 0.2% |
| David Justice | 1 | 0.2% |
| Chuck Knoblauch | 1 | 0.2% |
| Todd Stottlemyre | 1 | 0.2% |
| Jose Rijo | 0 | 0% |
| Brady Anderson | 0 | 0% |
Goose Gossage was the only player voted in for the Baseball Hall of Fame, the results are above. I have several questions and the first one I have is who the hell were the two writers that voted for Todd Stottlemyre and Chuck Knoblauch? They should have their voting rights removed immediately and replaced with someone with a half a brain.
My next questions is why didn't Don Mattingly get in? I thought he would be a shoe in, yes his career was significantly shortened from back problems but still, he dominated at the plate when he was healthy and had all those years with 200+ hits. It was him and Boggs as the two big hitters in the AL back then.
My next question is if Gossage gets in, doesn't Lee Smith, Jack Morris, Bert Blyleven, Andre Dawsom and Jim Rice all get in? The two names that stick out to me on that list is Jack Morris and Andre Dawson. Maybe they were both blacklisted for their days playing in Canada? What ever it is they deserve to be in.
Also, why isn't Tommy John in by now? Hes got a friggin surgery named after him I think that alone qualifies him for the hall. They could have a video of Tommy John surgery going next to his plaque.
Category: Sports
Jack Morris Vs. Todd Stottlemyre For The Hall
VS 
Alright, Im no baseball writer but how can you even have these two on the same ballot. Todd Stottlemyre was a decent pitcher, a good number 3/4 starter who in his best years could give you 12-15 wins if everything went perfectly.
Morris on the other hand was an ace who pitched better as the games got bigger. He single handedly won world series for the Tigers, Twins and Blue Jays and deserves to be in the hall when the announcement gets made tomorrow.
In order to make the hall a players name has to be on 75% of the ballots cast, to make it back next year on the ballot, a player has to have 5%. Now there are over twenty players on the ballot. Im sorry Todd, but if im voting, you don't get 5% with Morris on the ballot. If it came down to Todd Stottlemyre and Jack Morris as the only two for the hall I think I would vote Morris 100%. No questions asked.
Tell me that anyone who is a Blue Jay fan would pick Stottlemyre for the Hall of Fame and I will never write another Blue Jays post again because I don't see how hes even on the Ballot. If hes on it then Jimmy Key, Dave Steib and Tom Henke should all be in the Hall because they were 10 times better pitchers than Stottlemyre and all of them were aces on the staff at one point or another.
Category: Sports
Signs of Spring?
Yes its getting warm out the next few days with a high of 62 degrees Farenheit this Tuesday (thats 16 Celcius for my Canadian readers, which by the way is the system that should be in use here in the States as well but thats a whole other conversation). But that is not the only sign of "Spring" that I saw this weekend.
Today, I went to Home Depot to buy some light bulbs and what did I see? Lawn mowers replacing snow blowers. Thats right, gardening tools were surfacing in what was the snow blower section. Yes winter just started and Home Depot is already making room for spring supplies.
That gave me a breath of fresh air because I hate fall and winter, I hate the darkness, the cold and the snow. So, it was nice to see that we push the spring and summer seasons in retail as much as we push fall and winter in August and September.
In addition to that, I believe as of today, Spring Training starts in roughly 40 days. Won't be long till the boys of summer are back which judging by the way the Sabres and Leafs are playing, we will be welcoming back the Jays with open arms.
Category: Miscellaneous
Accepted
I recently stumbled upon the movie Accepted and I loved it. Its a modern day Animal House meets Revenge of the Nerds. This is the ending scene from Accepted which also features guest star Lewis Black.
Category: Movies
Going No Where Fast
I just turned on the game about 15 minutes left in the third to see the score 4-1 Atlanta. I don't care what the outcome of this game is, but this team needs to get their heads on straight this month and they need to do that while on the road.
Most of January is on the road and this team is not known for their play on the road (or at home lately). Maybe getting away will do some of them good. Thomas Vanek has been hearing it around here lately and you can see him starting to squeeze the stick a little tighter.
This is my list of players that need to start picking up their games or in my mind, they can be trade bait at the deadline:
1.Max- enough said there I would take used equipment for Max,
2. Dimitri Kalinin- Hes a friggin mountain on skates and he doesn't use it, the patience has worn thin, theres no more upside time for him t pack his bags. Maybe we can pull of a Kalinin for a Rhett Warrener type like we did with Mike Wilson a few years back.
3. Thomas Vanek- Hey if the offers right make the deal, he isn't worth half of the $10 million a year hes getting but he is still so talented you might get someone to give up three or four guys with some grit and upside.
4. Adam Mair- If you need to top off a trade with some grit go for it. He makes $700,000 that could be better spent elsewhere.
5. Toni Lydman- He has overachieved the last two years, time to cut ties and get something for him while we still can. Looking for a veteran tough defenseman package him and Mair and maybe get Jovo Cop if you feel this team is close enough to make it.
6. Teppo Numminen- Why they signed him for $2.6 miillion this past offseason Ill never know. They knew he would be out and yet they give the money to him anyway. You don't sign him and you have $2.6 million more to take one last run at Drury or Briere. I would see what hes worth to a bubble team or contender and release that $2.6 million contract early and maybe get a draft pick for him.
None of this will likely happen, Darcy will likely be Mr. Patience and not make any moves. Thats not to discount Darcy, He has made plently of good moves by being patient, but with the latest misfortunes of this team its time to forget about being patience and try to light a fire on their collective asses.
They are still talented, they show it in flashes but they need more to get them through this and back in the right direction.
Category: Sports
Talking Heads
I stumbled across this video this morning by Talking Heads. Its from their DVD Stop Making Sense and its one that I've always been interested in but never picked up. Next time Im at Frizb's I'll have to take a look in their videos.
The cool thing about this video is how the lighting during their performance is very minimal focusing the attention on David Byrne and the rest of the band. Their stage performance is awesome and the music is great too. This is Once In A Lifetime
Category: Music
Radiohead Doing It Their Way
Radiohead has reached a point where they can pretty much do what ever they want. I like their we won't be controlled by a record company stance. First they release their latest album In Rainbows online and allow fans to pay what ever they think its worth. Even if they download it for free. Lets face it, it gets their music out there.
Now they release their album on Itunes which still completely avoids the record companies and to top it off release a 52 minute video featuring them and every song off the new album on Youtube. Awesome!
I would love to see them in concert. They are one of the few bands I still want to see. I have posted their full 52 minute video from Youtube if you want to watch it.
Category: Music
Universal Healthcare
I emailed Toronto Mike today to ask him a few questions about Canada's healthcare system and is it really as good as Michael Moore makes it look in Sicko.
His answer was yes. He has been dealing with some leg problems, if you read his blog, he is an avid runner and had been training for a half marathon. He started having some pain and went to the physical therapist to get him right. Check out his site to get caught up www.mikeboon.com or click on my link on the right.
Well I wanted to know what he pays for his visits and the answer? Nothing. No worries financially. No premiums, no out of pocket expense.
If he needed surgery he wouldn't pay a cent, where as most of us would be checking to make sure our insurance even approves of the procedure here in the states and even if they do, how much of it will it cover and how much would we owe.
Why are we so against a system that insures that if something happens to us, we are covered? We are one of the only countries in the world that endorses a system that PROFITS on peoples illnesses. That is wrong. Insurance companies deny us coverage just to save a buck and it results in us getting worse not better.
A universal system like Canada results in preventative care. People don't hesitate to go to the doctor if something is wrong because they know they don't have to pull a copay out of their pocket.
There are those in the field who think that their pay will go down under a not for profit, universal system and I say so what? Did you get into it to help people or did you get into the field to get rich? The rate of pay for healthcare workers I would bet doesn't go down that much in Canada.
Others think that there are these outrageous wait times. I think we tend to bring up the horror stories. And lets face it no system is perfect and ours in the states is far from perfect the way it is.
We here in the states are so knee deep in this fucked up system of for profit healthcare it would be hard to even figure out how to get to a much more sane system like that in Canada, one that actually cares for their people when they are sick.
I want to hear from everyone on this, both Canadian and US readers of my site lets have a little debate here. I know there are a lot of Canadian readers, let the nay saying US readers know why your healthcare system is better.
Category: healthcare
I Want To Hear Him
ABC's plan to keep Dennis Kucinich out of the debate was met head on with a complaint filed against ABC by Kucinich.
I want to hear him I love his ideas and he sounds so refreshing when compared to some of these stale candidates. I would vote for him over Hiliary today.
Why do we in a two party system insist on limiting voices that want to be heard? I think if he had the time to be heard he would garner a lot of votes from both Republican and Democrats.
There are so many running right now that I think someone should peel away from the two parties and start running as an independent and Kucinich should he choose to go that route would probably make a lot of noise.
Category: Politics
George W. Is an Idiot
Could Republican voters just do one thing before the end of 2008, Admit that George W, Bush was a fuck up for a President. It doesn't take much to see through his administration and if you are really blinded by the pride you have for the party you support you really are lost.
Lets start with the war in Iraq. Immediately after 9/11, he had me. I was on board. The second he declared war on Iraq and sent our troops in, he lost me. There were no weapons of mass destruction and the one head of the perverbial snake has still not been caught in Osama Bin Laden. Why hasn't he been caught and why aren't we all, Republicans and Democrats up in arms over the fact that he not only hasn't been caught but still releasing tapes threatening terror attacks.
His environmental record is dispicable. Even if you don't believe in global warming, and forgetting about that as an environmental concern for a moment, his administration has cut funding to the Superfund bill in half since he took over. Superfund is a bill that was created in response to Love Canal. It was a bill put in place to assist with clean up of landfills. We here in Western New York have more toxic landfills than any other area of the country. The S-Dump is a great example of one that actually has more toxic chemicals in it than the Love Canal. The funding for these has been cut in half. Thats a great way to take care of the land in which we live and it happened under his administrations watch.
His administrations energy policy could have been drawn up by a 5 year old. They had none, so a five year old would have at least had a policy. They are married to oil. Cheney was an oil executive, Bush was an oil executive and EPA officials and energy department officials that they hired were oil executives. So any hope of developing alternative energy is a lost cause. Oil is a dying energy sorce and his administration has done nothing to get us pointed in a new direction. He talked of clean coal technolgy, there is no such thing and coal can't go into my car. To this day, after finding no WMDs and not having caught Osama Bin Laden in Iraq, can anyone make an argument that the reason we are in Iraq isn't for oil?
Speaking of being there for oil, the oil money in Iraq was supposed to help pay for or pay for the war entirely, where is that money? Where is the money that Iraq was supposed to provide us out of their oil money to fund us being there? Instead our country goes broke paying for it.
The Scooter Libby thing was mishandled, the Alberto Gonzalez thing was a disaster, childrens healthcare, health care for my wife who works for the federally funded and much needed head start program. Its unbelievable the list of things this president and his administration has done to piss people off, yet there are still those of you who feel him and his administration can do no wrong and everything they touch turns to gold.
All of that and I haven't even gotten to social security, healthcare and his waste of an education policy No Child Left Behind, which may be the worst educational policy ever devised. The last 6 years of this mans presidency have been lies and smoke screens. When ever he gets into trouble he pulls the terror card or the Iraq card and distracts us all. Well he distracts the brain washed.
This administratiion can't step aside soon enough. 1/20/2009 he hands over control to the next guy. Though I have my favorites (both Republican and Democrat), as long as its not Gulliani, I don't particularly care who replaces him either.
Category: Politics
My Favorite Psych Song
Everyone has their favoirt pick me up song to get them back in a good frame of mind or to psych them up for a big day. This one has become mine over the last few years. One Little Victory by Rush.
For those of you who have kept up with Rush over the years, they went through a few years at the end of the 1990s in which their future was in doubt. Neil Peart had lost his daughter in a car accident, his wife to cancer and his dog in the same year.
He spent the better part of two years on the move. He figured moving was better than sitting there consumed by his losses. So everytime he made it over a little bump in his road traveled he referred to it as one little victory. When I hear this song I think of coming out on top and getting through all that comes in my way of a successful day.
Neil wrote a book about that period of his life called Ghost Rider, I highly recommend it. Its a book about triumph and getting through seemingly insurmountable obstacles in life. Suffice it to say, Rush came back and this video of One Little Victory is from their Rush In Rio DVD from 2004.
Category: Music
Tribute To Don Simmons
I didn't have that many pictures loaded last week so I wanted to post some more this week. I posted an entry last week about the passing of Don. He was a very close friend of our family and over the years he has been at every major family event. I wanted to post more so we had something to remember him by and Im not going to write alot here about him. If you want to catch up, you can go back to that entry in the archives. The pictures do the talking. They are all from the trip he took with my parents and sister to New York last summer
The pictures speak volumes. He was a great person to be around and loved having fun. I still have to get my wife to download a picture or two from her phone. When she gets around to it Ill have a nice story to tell about the Yankees, Don and I. For now here are some pictures that celebrate the life of Don Simmons a friend who will be missed greatly!
Don with Mickey in Monument Park.
He loved his Yankees
Serendipity after a monster sundae.
My sister Kelly, Don and my Dad.
There are more and I will post when they are loaded.
Category: Miscellaneous
Give It Up Roger
Alright, it was B12 after all. The Mitchell Report forgot that B12 wasn't a steroid after all. Is he getting desparate or what? The longer it takes him to finally come clean the bigger an asshole he will look like in the end.
Roger Clemens is sounding more and more like a man with excuses who is trying desparately to hide the truth than someone interested in just fessing up and getting on with the inevitable consequences of his actions.
Whether you believe the Mitchell Report or not, I don't believe a word out of Clemens, hes always been a jack ass and always will be and I trust him about as much as I trust Bonds at this point. I don't believe a word of what he is saying about B12
The truth is going to come out on Roger and when it does, after all the whining and covering his own ass hes trying to do, in the end it should cost him the Hall of Fame.
Category: Sports
More Environmental Ignorance
For those of you who feel that the Bush administration is not corrupt and is not in bed with big oil look again. I read the following article and can't believe the willingness of this administration to ignore the importance of energy efficiency and the environment.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080102/ap_on_re_us/california_greenhouse_gases
California became the first state to officially sue the EPA because the EPA refused to grant California permission to set state mandated emissions. California's new fuel efficency/emissions standard would be 36.8 miles per gallon and enforces that standard earlier than the Bush Administrations 35 MPG by 2020.
What does the Bush administration care if individual states want to exceed the fuel standards that are proposed federally? Stephen L. Johnson who is the head of the EPA as appointed by Mr. Bush was quoted in the article with this lovely bit:
"Johnson said the federal government was moving forward with a national solution and dismissed California's arguments that it faced unique threats from climate change."
The Governator disagreed with this assessment from Mr. Johnson.
"(EPA officials) are ignoring the will of millions of people who want their government to take action in the fight against global warming," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "That's why, at the very first legal opportunity, we're suing to reverse the U.S. EPA's wrong decision."
So lets get this straight, the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, is denying states the right to protect the environment by enacting stricter fuel standards thereby decreasing pollution above and beyond what the feds require. The EPA should have no problem with this. Now if states are not meeting or don't want to meet the nationally set fuel standard, then the EPA should have a problem. This is completely the opposite. We have 19 states in this country willing to exceed those standards set by the Bush Administration and the EPA.
The trouble is, the puppets that the Bush/Cheney administration put in to run these agencies are paid off by big oil and auto manufacturers. Higher fuel standards mean less oil is used and more work for American auto manufacturers to meet those standards.
Well piss on em. The killer is, these states that are suing will probably lose because Bush has already placed half the supreme court justices on the US Supreme court which demonstrates just as much loyalty to Bush as his other appointees. Its sickening and demonstrates another reason why the Bush administration should be impeached for its neglect of the American people and the environment with in which we live.
Category: Global Warming | News | Politics
Penguins 2 Sabres 1
What a game, with a disappointing finish for Sabres fans. However, it was a great game from a hockey standpoint. All the way to a shootout with the worlds best player vs. arguably the best goalie in the league in Ryan Miller.
The Sabres still finish with a point which really isn't good enough. Yes the day was a success from a league standpoint but I'm not going to focus on the historic perspective, we all know it was a big event. The Sabres have now gone 3 games with just 2 total goals. Not enough to win.
Ryan Miller has stood on his head and still this team comes up short. The scary thing is that they have dominated at times and they are working. It is not a lack of effort that has this team in a scoring drought. If anything, they are pressing too much.
Vanek had the games best scoring chance early in the overtime and came up short. If they start finishing this team will be fine. Thats a big IF. You could see the look of frustration and playing in those conditions could take its toll physically on a team that is mentally down. Friday nights game against Ottawa is huge now. If they come out flat it could be tough uphill battle to get to the playoffs especially with how tightly packed the Eastern Conference is.
Category: Sports
Today Is The Day!
Puck drops this afternoon on what should be an amazing spectacle. Ive never seen an outdoor professional game. The Edmonton game I never watched so this is going to be completely new.
All I ask of the Sabres is that they score a few and make it interesting. Hopefully with a day or two off since playing Pittsburgh Saturday, they got rested and got their confidence up. Its theoretically in front of the home crowd and the big national spotlight is shining down here in Buffalo. I can't wait
I actually had a ticket but decided not to go due to just feeling under the weather and tired from last week. It will be just as good on TV and besides, I can record it.
Category: Sports
