The Re-Emergence of Populism in America: Hope, Justice, Fairness, Compassion

In the late 19th and early 20th Century Populism was a widespread political and cultural movement that swept across the US, strongly influencing policy and life. A re-emergence of that movement is underway which bodes well for Americans. The movement will be greatly facilitated by modern technology and communication which did not exist a century ago. Lets hope Populism explodes across the nation and gains control of the Democratic Party as it did a century ago and destroys the Republican Party, which is the government sponsor of the Neo-Gillded Age we have been in the last 25 years and the stifling immoral corporacy which is destroying so many lives.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/30/182/

San Francisco Proposes Massive Development Centered Around New Forty-Niners Stadium

I like the look of this proposal and greatly prefer it over the other two alternatives of going to Santa Clara or redeveloping Candlestick Point where the current Forty-Niners stadium is. This development proposal would have the same powerful effect on the San Francisco economy and tourism as the Pacific Bell Baseball Stadium for the San Francisco Giants has. Lets hope city, regional, and state officials work hard to see this plan and development realized and completed within the next five years.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/03/26/BAG3UOS7BF11.DTL

The Cruel Destiny of Middle Age in America Now: Depression, Unemployment, Unstability, and Hopelessness

Talton's demise at the Republic is strongly representative to what is happening to middle aged workers across the US. While he will land on his feet, others like me are left to a "life" that leaves everything to be desired. I have been looking for work for a month now with virtually 100 % non-feedback and complete rejection. It is very difficult in this nation to be a near 50-year old in this nation and economy now where you are discarded and unwanted. I know if it is this bad for me now that I will not be able to stay alive for much more than a couple of years and will have to end it as I will have no alternatives to consider as my health, energy, and strength continues their decline and demise.

http://www.azcentral.com/business/columns/articles/0329biz-talton0329.html

War with Iran Imminent; Fourth Naval Carrier Battle Group Enroute to Persian Gulf

Russian military intelligence services are reporting a flurry of activity by U.S. Armed Forces near Iran's borders. The latest military intelligence data point to heightened U.S. military preparations for both an air and ground operation against Iran. The Pentagon is looking for a way to deliver a strike against Iran that would enable the Americans to stagger the country at minimal cost.

The U.S. Naval presence now in the Persian Gulf has for the first time in the past four years has exceeded the level that existed before the invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

The Russian Academy of Geopolitical Sciences said last week that the Pentagon is planning to deliver a massive air strike on Iran's military infrastructure in the near immediate future.

A fourth U.S. carrier battle group has been dispatched to the Gulf. The USS John C. Stennis, with a crew of 3,200 and around 80 fixed-wing aircraft, including F/A-18 Hornet and Superhornet fighter-bombers, eight support ships and four nuclear submarines are heading for the Gulf. The Pentagon has also sent numerous Patriot anti-missile systems to the region.

Today's News Articles and Observations

Some recent news articles that caught my attention.


A. Tremendous Change for Climate Zones Globally Looming by Mid-Century

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070326220628.uo998sdi&show_article=1

http://www.pnas.org/

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/28/153/

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B. Spaceport in New Mexico desert north of Las Cruces Inches Toward Reality

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070326185745.wbe0l851&show_article=1

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C. Another High Profile Third Party Candidate for President in 2008?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/25/AR2007032501334.html?nav=rss_politics

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D. Why Opposition Still Exists Against Global Warming

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-op-chait25mar25,0,3748551.column?coll=la-news-comment-opinions

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E. Vision of Future City in San Joaquin Valley

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-quay26mar26,0,5393459.story?coll=la-home-headlines

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F. Coming by Year's End: Internet via Television Over the Air Signals

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070327/fcc_internet_device.html?.v=1

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G. The Future of Newspapers has Arrived

http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=4307

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H. The Best Reason for Reading The Arizona Republic is No More: Jon Talton is Dumped

http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2007/03/19/daily52.html

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I. Another Consequence of Gas Drilling Development in Upper Green River Basin

http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/article/as_deer_decline_energy_development_comes_under_fire/C396/L396/

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J. The Benefit of Government as seen by Democrats of the West

http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/the_western_version_of_less_government/C37/L37/

http://www.democratsforthewest.com/

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K. Strong Argument for Exxon as the Planet's Worst and Most Evil Corporation

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/28/132/

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L. Disgusting Massive Corporation and Rich People Welfare

http://alternet.org/workplace/49768/

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Some Additional News Articles & Observations

Here are a couple of other news articles and what I think about them.

A. The Debt Crisis Time Bomb

This is the largest and most important problem facing the United States and American citizens, even more so than global terrorism and global warming.

http://www.alternet.org/stories/49418/

http://www.time-bomb.org/

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B. The Iraq Knowledge Dearth and its Implications

This article points out the widespread lack of knowledge about Iraq and its history. Time after time, it has been shown that to know the past allows one to better prepare for and understand the future and what are the best courses of action to take.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/24/49/

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C. US Attorneys Axing Controversy by AG Gonzales

The explanation, argument, and position staked out so brilliantly by the blogger at Colorado Curmudgeon Blogspot in his 3/23/7 post says it all and so much more than I could ever on this issue which is growing more interesting and serious day by day.

http://comudgeon.blogspot.com/2007/03/thoughts-on-us-attorney-scandal.html

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Sunday's News Articles and Observations

These are some of the recent news articles that caught my eye and an opinion on some of them.

A. The Honest, Disgraceful, Ugly Truth about Americans and the Iraq War

This article explains fully why criticism of the Iraq War by many people rings very hollow. The Bush Administration has little pressure or impetus to end the war because so very few Americans are being asked to pay a price for it at this time other than military personnel and their families.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0326/p01s01-ussc.html

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B. Republicans in Ohio Facing Widespread Backlash over 2004 Vote

It is clearly understood now that widespread improprieties and misdeeds, many criminal, occurred in a number of states in both the 2000 and 2004 Elections, among them Ohio. Now the belling is tolling for those politicians and officials who participated in this chicanery. Indictments, trials, convictions, and imprisonments loom for those who have been identified, and it is virtually certain Ohio will continue to become a larger Democrat stronghold for 2008.

http://commondreams.org/views07/0320-23.htm

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C. Chuck Hegel on Bush Impeachment

While the Nebraska Senator did not come out and directly say it, his words were pointed enough and one can clearly understand his feelings and opinions about the downward spiraling Bush Administration and some possible future ramifications if the course is not corrected soon.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2980019

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/hagel-sharply-criticizes-bush-administration-2007-03-25.html

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D. The Obscene Buying of Congressmen by Corporate America

Is there anything that can be done to end this disgusting disgraceful practice? It is shameful and immoral that elected government officials are bought and paid for by corporations ! And they possess far more power and money than common citizens, making many Americans citizens irrelevant in the political process.

http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2007/03/the_paper_chase.html

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E. Credit Card Issuing Banks Disgraceful Abuse of American Citizens

Much like what I just said above, can anything be done to stop this reckless and dangerous activity that is clearly harmful and detrimental to American citizens? Maybe at some point in the future hopefully...

http://thehill.com/cover-stories/maxed-out-when-debt-hits-hard-2007-03-22.html

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F. Democrats on Health Care

Thankfully discussion and debate is occurring among the Democratic candidates about this vital issue that effects all American citizens and looms as the proverbial straw that breaks the camels back for many citizens in the very near future with a widespread aging of the main American demographic, the Baby Boomers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/24/AR2007032401079.html

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2007/03/23/the_health_care_answers_we_need.php

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G. Information on Results of Welfare Reform

As one can see in reading this article, the truth about this legislation and its effects passed by Congress and signed by Clinton over ten years ago is not what the mainstream media, government officials and politicians, and Corporate America keeps telling us. An effort to revisit this is now due by Congress and the President, hopefully in 2009 after the next election.

http://www.mediatransparency.com/story.php?storyID=184

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H. Decline in US Economy

Another article that talks about the growing problems in the US economy and the looming consequences for American citizens.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/24/53/

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I. The Slowly but Steadily Melting Icecap in Antarctica

The Antarctic Icecap is declining and it will impact us all -- in some ways and places, the price will be harsh and almost unimaginable.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/23/25/

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J. Civil War in India?

This may become an important news story very soon.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/24/77/

http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0322-26.htm+

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K. Far Left Website to Bookmark

Another alternative source for information but it appears to be quite strong in its wordings.

http://www.thiscantbehappening.net/

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L. Like every city in the West, Albuquerque must face its future realistically

There is only so much water and space for cities like Albuquerque to grow and it will be painful for its citizens once they face the truth. There will be a harsh economic price paid when that time comes in the not so distant future particularly with regards to employment and housing values, particularly Albuquerque, since it is isolated and will require high energy cost importing of food which is unable to be grown in that region with no water available for the extremely limited agriculture that does exist there now.

http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/mar/24/vb-price-get-real/

NHL Skates Towards Regular Season End

The NHL season is now into its last two and one-half weeks as 90 % of the regular season has elapsed. There are still some good playoff races and positioning to wrapup and finalize.

In the West, Nashville and Detroit are jockeying for the top spot in the conference, but Anaheim and Vancouver are lurking very closely behind. Anaheim has a four point lead on San Jose and five points on Dallas. Vancouver leads Minnesota by three points. All seven of these teams are in the playoffs. For the eighth slot, Calgary is trying to hold off hard charging Colorado and the Flames lead by four points with both teams having nine games left. The West looks to have some great battles in the last 18 days. And I believe Colorado will win the eighth playoff slot.

The Eastern Conference has but five teams that have wrapped playoff spots--Buffalo, New Jersey, Atlanta, Ottawa, and Pittsburgh. Buffalo is up by seven points on Ottawa, New Jersey leads Pittsburgh by just two points, and Atlanta leads Tampa Bay by four points. No division title or playoff position has been secured yet. For the final three playoff spots, six teams are vying in these remaining two plus weeks. Tampa Bay and the NY Rangers have the upper hand for now with four teams -- the defending Stanley Cup Champions Carolina, Toronto, Montreal, and New York Islanders -- all within one point of each other. Florida and Boston are fading longshots but still alive. Who will survive and stand the tallest when all is said and done is almost impossible to forecast but I will pick Carolina and Montreal to join Tampa Bay for the last three spots.

I will stay tuned very closely to what happens across the league nightly during these remaining days. Most teams have but eight or nine games left each so every game is at the point where it is critical for the competing teams.

Tuesday's News Articles and Observations

Some recent news articles that caught my eye and opinions on them.

A. Massive Election Defeats Facing GOP in 2008?

There is a lot of speculation that the 2008 election will result in widespread Republican losses, even in states that have largely solid in the GOP camp the last quarter century. I believe it is way to early to make such projections. But if things do not change in Iraq and with the economy, it could mean very bad news for the Republicans across the board. And the growing US Attorneys scandal with Alberto Gonzales and Karl Rove will make matters worse.

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/864

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B. The Best Plan yet for Health Care Coverage Offered by Kucinich

US Representative from Ohio, Dennis Kucinich, a candidate for the Democratic Nomination for President, has offered the best plan for dealing with the massive health care crisis citizens are dealing with daily. I like his plan because it takes the greedy wasteful insurance industry almost completely out of the loop. I am unsure whether it will make to the Democratic Platform in 2008, but I believe that a good bit of it will. The amount of money the insurance industry will throw at Democrats in campaign advertisements next year will be obscene and will surely result in greater inefficiencies, waste, and loss of life and good health for many people as a result.

http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/news/0134.html

http://www.healthcare-now.org/

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C. These Businesses are Worthy of Supporting for at Least One Reason

http://www.businessforafairminimumwage.org/signatories

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D. More on the Shadowy, Sinister Blackwater USA Corporation

Like that corpulent, pompous being running the country behind the scenes and really emitting an overwhelming foul stench, the more I read and learn about the growing ominous Blackwater USA, the more its stinks and alarms...

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/interviews/057

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E. World Wildlife Foundation Report on Growing Troubled Rivers Globally

Water is the lifeblood of our societies globally. Overpopulation is at the root of these rivers which can be at best described as endangered. And global warming will only increase the problems faced by mankind and wildlife in these river basins and ecosystems.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6468451.stm

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F. Recommended Reading

If you get a chance, stop by the library or a bookstore and pick up April's edition of The American Prospect. Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin is on the cover. There are a number of good articles in this issue, particularly on the negative effect Rubin has on the Democratic Party and its working class membership.

http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=Current+Issue

American Corporations and Business: Perpetually Shafting, Shortchanging, and Ripping Off Workers Everyday !!!

http://bangordailynews.com/news/t/viewpoints.aspx?articleid=147656&zoneid=35

Some Articles Concerning the West

As a near lifelong resident of the Rocky Mountain West, Southwest, and High Plains, I have a keen interest on what is going on in the region. Here is a couple of stories that are of interest to the citizens of the West.

http://www.headwatersnews.org/White.Malta032007.html

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/03/20/news/state/30-wolf_x.txt

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This Captures My Belief to a T...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cliff-schecter/karl-rove-must-go-to-pris_b_43647.html

'07 Baseball Predictions - - Take One...

Yes, Opening Night is now less than two weeks away and Opening Day across America, the Real New Years Day for me, is now just 14 1/2 days away. Here is my first set of picks for the upcoming season. I will study and re-evaluate these selections over the next 10-13 days and re-assess my selections as I see fit.

NL West: 1) San Diego (2) Los Angeles (3) Colorado (4) Arizona (5) San Francisco

NL Central: 1) Houston (2) St Louis (3) Milwaukee (4) Chicago (5) Pittsburgh (6) Cincinnati

NL East: 1) New York (2) Philadelphia (3) Atlanta (4) Florida (5) Washington

AL West: 1) Anaheim (2) Oakland (3) Seattle (4) Texas

AL Central: 1) Detroit (2) Cleveland (3) Minnesota (4) Chicago (5) Kansas City

AL East: 1) Boston (2) New York (3) Toronto (4) Baltimore (5) Tampa Bay

Wild Cards: NL - Philadelphia AL - Oakland

Pennants: NL - New York over Houston AL - Anaheim over Detroit

World Champions: Anaheim

Dark Horses: NL - Arizona, Colorado, Milwaukee, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Atlanta
AL - Cleveland, Minnesota, Toronto, Baltimore, Seattle

Letdowns?: NL - San Francisco, Los Angeles, St Louis, Chicago, New York, Houston
AL - Anaheim, Oakland, Detroit, New York, Boston, Cleveland, Chicago

Saturday's News Items and Opinions

Here is some news items that caught my eye in the last few days and what I think about them.


A. McCain or Hegel: Whom to choose?

Two US Senators from the West, John McCain of Arizona and Charles "Chuck" Hegel of Nebraska, offer two contrasting views of the war in Iraq from the insights and experiences of their military service in Vietnam a generation and a half ago. While Hegel is not yet officially a candidate in '08 for the Presidency, he offers a powerful argument against our presence in Iraq. McCain, one of the GOP frontrunners, puts forth a striking, compelling position as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/18/washington/18vietnam.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all

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B. Economic Hard Times Ahead?

There is little argument that the US economy is headed for a recession before year's end. How deep and long this economic slowdown will be is still up for debate. I think it will start by July and carry into early to mid '08-- a period of about 9-14 months.

http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3077/productivity_is_the_boom_over/

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C. If only this was realistic...

This nation really needs to look at where it is at from a constitutional perspective and it would fantastic for a constitutional convention to occur in spite of the dangers that it may present. But we will never see 38 states make the call for one as would be required.

http://civillibertarian.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-about-little-democracy-for-change.html

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D. Blackwater Incorporated, America's Shadow Army in Iraq, and soon in Iran also...

The rise of this corporation and what it is doing is frightening and bodes ill for our nation and our relations with other nations.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070402/scahill

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E. The Disappearing Bees

It is now being reported that widespread incidences of disappearing bees and bee colonies are occuring throughout America and elsewhere around the planet. There are numerous troubling ramifications of this growing problem, particularly with our food supply.

http://www.earthfiles.com/news/news.cfm?ID=1223&category=Environment

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F. The Housing Bubble Burst has Arrived

As forecast by many, the housing price bubble burst is well under way, particularly in Florida and California and it will spread up the coasts and inland as the year continues. Housing prices and values will decline any where from ten to forty percent, perhaps more, across most urban and metropolitan areas across the nation with the possible exception of some of the states in the High Plains. It is projected over 2.25 million homes will foreclose this year and this will significantly contribute to the coming economic downturn along with other factors.

http://www.thehousingbubbleblog.com

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogslot.com

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G. NCAA Basketball Tournament Shortcomings

Once again, the national hysteria of March Madness is upon us. This "non-professional" sporting event has serious shortcomings. It is weighted too greatly towards money conferences and large population areas. I say put only colleges from the West in the West Region for example instead of filling with schools from outside that physical region. Also, the tourney needs to be expanded with at-large schools from big six conferences having to participate in "play-in" games with 72 or 76 schools in the field. These games could be played on the Wednesday and Thursday of the tourney's opening week with the rounds of 64 and 32 being pushed back one day into Monday. More schools from the Big West, Mountain West, Western Athletic, West Coast Athletic, and other lower profile conferences need to be represented in the tourney than usually are.

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H. Summer is Here Far Too Early in the Southwest with Record Heat

It is only the middle of March and yet it is over 100 degrees or real close across Arizona and the Southwest already. Phoenix has hit record highs of 99 degrees the last two days; Tucson has been at 95 degrees; and places like Gila Bend, Yuma, Mesa, Palm Springs, and Death Valley have exceeded the century mark, which is about two to three weeks earlier than expected at worst as in prior years. Records have been set across the West the last two weeks and this month is shaping up as much warmer and drier than usual. 21 cities set records on Saturday and, here in Cheyenne, we had our fourth record high temperature this month.

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Yeehaw !!! Penguins to Remain in Pittsburgh

Splendid news out of Pittsburgh today with the announcement of an arena deal between the 40-year old NHL club and state and local politicos. While the taxpayers will have to ante up significantly for the new arena, this is better alternative to that of losing ones community's team after all this time as many other fans and working people in other cities have over the last 60 years. The Penguins were one of my favorite hockey teams when I was a youth next to the Rangers and Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh is where my Dad was born and grew up, long before the Penguins came into existence; therefore, I always feel a generational affinity for Pittsburgh sports teams to this day even though I have never lived there and have lived a half continent away all my adult life. Here are three links about this story and some background on this story as well:

http://www.arenadigest.com

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07072/769032-85.stm

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/16891515.htm

A Beautiful Record-Breaking Spring Day in WY !

Spring really exploded today, as I see more than 30 cities from California across the West to North Dakota set record high temperatures. We got to enjoy that as well here in Cheyenne, the nicest day in the region since before last Thanksgiving as the previous record high temperature was smashest by five degrees and it was the fifth earliest incidence of a 70 degree day in recorded history that goes back to 1871.

CLIMATE REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
CHEYENNE WY
928 PM MDT MON MAR 12 2007

THE CHEYENNE CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR MARCH 12 2007

VALID TODAY AS OF 0900 PM LOCAL TIME.
CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1971 TO 2000
CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1871 TO 2007

TEMPERATURE (F).. TODAY.. RECORD.. YEAR.. NORMAL.. LAST YEAR

MAXIMUM..................... 70R .........65...........1873....... 45................. 25
MINIMUM...................... 36.......... -20.......... 1932....... 21................. 15

Heads Roll, Part Four: McClain Axed at Wyoming

Steve McClain was fired by Wyoming today after 9 seasons as the Basketball Head Coach of the Cowboys, making him the second MWC hoops coach axed today and the fourth this season. The move by UW was not completely unexpected, as my 4 March blog post suggested. Here is more on this story:

http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/03/12/news/top_story/doc45f5b7618c588624869054.txt

Heads Roll, Part III: Dale Layer done at CSU

As mentioned in my 4 March post as a distinct possibility, Colorado State University today fired Head Basketball Coach Dale Layer after seven seasons. He is the third Mountain West Conference Head Basketball Coach fired this season so far. More at:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports/article/0,1299,DRMN_2_5412658,00.html

Please Read This Online Book

As a follow-up to my previous post and the article by Professor Paul Krugman, I would recommend reading this online book. Although it is somewhat dated, it does provide a thorough
background on the economics of our nation and its place and effect on our nation's history. It is a lengthy publication and requires one to read it seriously. I was fascinated by this online publication when I first read it over twelve years ago and consider as one of the must-read books for all Americans. Welcome to being more fully enlightened.

http://www.mindmined.com/public_library/nonfiction/david_f_feudalism_aka_capitalism.html

Sunday's News Items and Opinions

Some news items of late and my opinions on some of them, as well as some recommendations for enlightenment and knowledge.

A. Our America -- What Happened...

Paul Krugman does a fantastic job explaining some of the larger reasons why the America of our youths has disappeared and why life has gotten so difficult and costly for the middle class. As usual, the good professor understands the big picture and continues to enlighten all of us whom are reading and listening, which unfortunately is not enough...

http://www.alternet.org/workplace/48988/

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B. Dire Outlook for Afghanistan

Most informed citizens are already aware of the dire circumstances and grim outlook in Afghanistan, and this report by Canadian officials only serves to further affirm this. Don't be surprised if a lot of bad news is coming out of Afghanistan in the coming months and people act as if it is shocking and unbelievable -- especially politicians, bureaucrats, celebrities, the media, and the rabble that surrounds us.

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/030907b.html

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C. 23 Primaries to be held on February 5, 2008?!

It seems as if the primary season and nominating process for the presidency will basically occur in one day next year. Congress needs to legislate this process and set up 6-8 regional primaries to be held from late-March to late-May and have the order of the regions chosen by lottery. Where we have been going in recent election years has been bad enough and this trend being established for next year is not what one would call participatory democracy in the tradition of what we are supposed to be all about.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/12/us/politics/12primary.html?hp

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D. Illegals Rampant in Los Angeles Gangs -- LAPD Aiding and Abetting...

Plain and simple, police officers everywhere must determine the legal identity of criminals, suspects, and members of criminal organizations. And that means determining if they are Americans or illegals and then taking the proper legal and physical actions to get these verminous invaders removed from our nation, and not shirking their moral and legal responsibilities as law enforcement officials sworn to serve and protect their communities that are in America.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gangs10mar10,0,7829803.story?coll=la-home-headlines

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E. Media Failing to Do the Job

In recent years, it has become very obvious the media has not been up to standard when it comes to be the voice and watchdog for the citizenry. This is largely due to widespread corporate seizure and control of media. The fourth estate is basically part of big business and the corporacy, and government is basically owned and paid for by the corporate elite in the nation. Somehow this needs to be reversed and the media, the press, and journalism need to be resurrected as they once were and be a leading institution for change and protection of the little guy and the poor against the powerful, oppressive, wealthy, manipulative, and monied.

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/16863000.htm

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F. Growth and Expansion of Faith-Based Initiatives in State Legislatures

This article points out some of the concerns and consequences of the direction being taken by religious right groups on the state level.

http://www.alternet.org/rights/48977/

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G. Heroes of World War II

If you have yet to see the film The Great Raid, do yourself a favor and do so. It is a story of heroism and valor, and the picture is almost completely historically accurate. I included the link for the real life event below as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_at_Cabanatuan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Raid

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H. Recommendation of a Book to Read

It Can Happen Here - - Joe Conason

http://www.amazon.com/Can-Happen-Here-Authoritarian-Peril/dp/0312356056/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1869821-0820605?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173671189&sr=8-1

http://www.buzzflash.com/store/items/536


I. Recommendation of another Book to Read

The American Axis: Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh, and the Rise of the Third Reich --
Max Webster

http://www.amazon.com/American-Axis-Henry-Charles-Lindbergh/dp/0312335318/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1869821-0820605?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173671628&sr=8-1

http://www.buzzflash.com/store/items/540


J. New Fiction Books with Wyoming as the Setting

Here is an article about some books that are set in Wyoming and about Wyoming people.

http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/03/11/features/range/e218cbeb4a5e9c0d872572980026790b.txt

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K. Fruitcake Comment of the Week

And this man was an elected senator from Georgia?!

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2007/03/09/says_zell_military_shortages_s.html

Friday's News and Observations

Today's news articles and observations:


A. Brad Delp, 1951-2007

We lost one of music's great voices and entertainers today, Brad Delp. The lead singer for the group Boston was 55 years young and his distinctive voice provided superb accompaniment to the revolutionary powerful driving instrumentation that electrified enthusiastic listeners and fans when Boston arrived so successfully for us in the mid-1970's. He will be sorely missed.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-Obit-Delp.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Delp

- - - - -

B. Wilderness Expansion for Utah?

Positive news for our time zone as legislation to increase wilderness areas in Utah is introduced and joins similar wilderness expansion bills for Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, as well as discussion of possible increases for Colorado and elsewhere. While I am not totally optimistic about the eventual fates of these conservation bills, at least there is some discussion going on as compared to the previous six years on Capitol Hill. After all, there is at least another 30 million people in the nation since those states had their last growth of wilderness acreage in the 1980's and early 1990's.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_5392189

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C. Appellate Court Gun Control Decision

A ruling today by a federal appeals court concerning gun control laws will be studied and contemplated by many including the Supreme Court within the next 15 months. I am anti-gun control so I welcome the ruling, but I would guess the Supreme Court will overturn this appellate ruling.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/09/washington/09cnd-gun.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

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D. The Wannabe Emperor is Wearing No Clothes?

Here is an article about one of the "hot" candidates of the moment, Rudy Giuliani. I do not believe that he will end up the Republican nominee for President when the voting starts for real in 10 months and this article discusses some of the reasons why.

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cm/content/view/198/159/

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E. One Man's Harsh Outlook

I subscribe to and read Doug Thompson's news service on a daily basis. He is thoroughly disgusted with where our nation is and where it is going. He believes in some of the American people but is rapidly losing faith and any hope for our nation and its people's future. His article today about America being dead is particularly hard-hitting and causes one to think and contemplate about who and what we were and are now and what direction this nation is headed in. Is it possible to be a nation as we once were or have we irreversibly changed for the worst? I would largely believe Doug Thompson's conclusions are completely on target.

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cm/content/view/202/162/

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F. "It is the Best of Times, Yet It is the Worst of Times"

Two articles, a lengthy one in Time and another by a leading editorialist, discuss the current standing and circumstances of Vice-President Richard Cheney and what may await him in his current job in the remaining twenty months, if he even continues on to the end of his term.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1597226-2,00.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/07/AR2007030702044.html

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G. Corporations Do Get Away with Murder and So Much More

A most disturbing Supreme Court ruling is discussed at the link below. Many courts have established corporate legal supremacy as the pre-eminent standard in reviewing legal case while going often in a total opposite direction when compared to cases involving individuals. Extreme punishments for corporations are often cast aside by the courts and not when it concerns individuals. One can easily see why it appears very apparent that corporations have more rights and freedoms than individuals.

http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0308-23.htm

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H. What is the Cost of Globalism and Capitalism on Us and Our Future?

An article in London's Guardian newspaper gives one pause for thought about what globalism and capitalism are doing to people and nations and if there is some other way that would be better for our futures. Our American model of Corporate Capitalism is seriously flawed, more often than not immoral, and in some cases is criminal. A better way is definitely what we all need for sake of our childrens' futures.

http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0308-32.htm

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I. This Man Cannot Get Out of Public Life Soon Enough!

Something smells in the White House, and it is a rather large pungent odor. While many people blame George Bush for most of our problems. troubles, and ills, I realize that it is his advisors and mentors that are the primary cause for our dilemma. And the one man most ultimately responsible is Karl Rove. This man is nothing but trouble for our American democracy and our way of life. This is just but one article describing his approach and method of attack on our nation and its citizens:

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2007/03/3785_rove_on_us_atto.html

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J. Link to this news site

Here is a website that is a good source of news from alternative points of view:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/

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Very Sad Tragic Milestone Date to Note: Americans are Frustrated and Extremely Angry about This !!!

Its now been 2000 days since the attack on September 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon by al-Qaida terrorists in four hijacked airplanes which murdered over 3000 Americans. The actual 2000 day mark occurred on March 4th. So, after all this time, a period longer than World War II or the War between the State took, why has not the leader of this evil organization, Osama bin-Laden, not been captured?

So to George Bush, Richard Cheney, and Karl Rove, like millions of Americans, I ask: Where's Osama?

Today's Observations and Opinions

A. Global Warming and Sports and Their Venues

This weeks Sports Illustrated has a feature article on the effect global warming and climate change will have on sports with particular emphasis on the venues where these contests are held. The main context is that the facilities these clubs play in will have to undergo enormous changes and modernization. The buildings will have to be energy self-sufficient and have safeguards against the changing environment. Horror of horrors, can this article be the genesis of a new wave of buildings, arenas, ballparks, and stadiums that ownerships will want built within the next generation once again paid for almost exclusively by taxpayers that will enable these owners and corporations to branch out as energy companies? That thought is enough to send shivers and shudders throughout the continent! Not that there are far more important problems to concern ourselves with in light of climate change. The story by Alexander Wolff is at:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/03/06/eco0312/

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B. Libby Conviction and Pardon

The Lewis "Scooter" Libby conviction announced on Tuesday was not a surprise. What will be worth watching for is if George Bush at some point pardons him and gives him legal protection from having to rat out higher officials, particularly Karl Rove and Richard Cheney. I believe if a pardon is forthcoming it will not be issued until after Election Day 2008. The likelihood of a pardon being issued after the election is a virtual certainty. Remember all the pardons passed out by George Bush the Elder and Bill Clinton as their administrations drew near a conclusion?

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C. Gates Insanity about Immigration

And what is Bill Gates thinking? Increase immigration!? There are already large numbers of trained professionals ready and able to work at Microsoft and other computer- oriented firms throughout the country (including me!) and there are a vast number of bright Americans who just need training and education to participate in this industry, and Microsoft and other computer and software firms have more than enough money and financial resources to do just that and have it paid for by the taxpayers through tax credits and deductions. There is absolute no reason to have to bring in foreign labor, except for the fact it is cheaper and more easily intimidated...?

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D. Brookings Institute and Federal Budget Deficits


The Economics Studies Program of the Brookings Institute, an enlightened progressive public policy organization, has issued a report discussing approaches for addressing the federal budget deficit and balancing the budget. Basically we have two choices: raise federal revenues or cut federal spending. I believe we have to do both. Taxes must be raised on the wealthy elite, particularly on incomes above $2.5 million. A new set of corporate income and progressive revenue taxes must be initiated on the businesses themselves and their management and executives. Excise taxes or import tariffs must be levied on manufactured goods coming in from nations such as Communist China. And special taxes must be levied on corporations whose top paid and compensated officials are more than seventeen times that of its lowest paid workers. Spending cuts are much harder but bureaucracies can be reduced and we all know what an enormous drain on the federal budget the defense department is with the seemingly endless Iraq war is. The root of the problem is all the hard US currency flowing out of the country like numerous raging rivers for energy resources in the Middle East, manufactured goods from Communist China, and cash transfer outlays by illegal aliens back to their home countries like Mexico. This all must be stopped or its over for America. You can read the report by the Brookings Institute at:

http://www.brookings.edu/views/papers/200701frenzel.htm

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E. Captain America


Nightline this evening had a troubling story about Marvel Comics killing off their Captain America comic character. Hopefully this storyline was not pursued because the character was not politically correct in today's America. Lets hope the character re-emerges in the comic series or in the movies real soon. We can still use a symbol like Captain America in the world we live in today, one that is very similar with plenty of evil and greedy men much like it was when the character was created in 1941.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=2932366

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F. More Secrecy and Subterfuge in Iraq


More and more, its becoming apparent the US military's secondary missions in Iraq are being conducted by a private mercenary force under the corporate ownership of Blackwater USA. This growing trend is troubling for a number of reasons, most notably for the fact that there is no accountability for decisions and expenditures by this shadowy corporation. A basic amount of information can be found here and I plan to research this further:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwater_USA

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G. Roger Ailes' Silly and Inane "News"

And finally, for those who think Fox News is the cat's meow, this "fair and balanced news service" proved themselves to be a complete national embarrassment and joke by virtually focusing exclusively on the Anna Nicole Smith story to the exclusion of the disgraceful treatment of our soldiers and veterans at VA Hospitals, particularly at The Palace, Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC. For example, on Friday 2 March, Fox News Channel (FNC) referred to Smith stories 121 times as compared to Walter Reed just 10 times ! MSNBC did better - it was only 96 t0 84 for Smith. CNN stood out as compared to the others, with Smith stories get referred to only 40 times with Walter Reed stories being cited 53 times. It just goes to show that FNC is hardly more than a GOP spin propaganda tool and given the chance will focus on fluff and blather to distract their viewers from the enormous incompetence, ineptitude, untruthfulness, and possible criminality coming out of the Bush Administration. Do yourself and your nation a favor and get your news and information from as many sources as possible--but make sure FNC is not one of them !

Academy of Country Music Awards Nominees

The 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards announced the nominees for this years awards which will be presented in Las Vegas, NV, on 15 May, and will be broadcast by CBS.
My favorites to win the awards are in bold italics:

Entertainer of the Year: Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, George Strait.

Top Male Vocalist: Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban.

Top Female Vocalist: Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood.

Top Vocal Group: Diamond Rio, Emerson Drive, Little Big Town, Lonestar, Rascal Flatts.

Top Vocal Duo: Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Sugarland, the Wreckers.

Top New Male Vocalist: Rodney Atkins, Craig Morgan, Chris Young.

Top New Female Vocalist: Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift.

Top New Duo or Vocal Group: Heartland, Little Big Town, the Wreckers

Album of the Year: Hillbilly Deluxe, Brooks & Dunn; It Just Comes Natural, George Strait; Me and My Gang, Rascal Flatts; Some Hearts, Carrie Underwood; These Days, Vince Gill.

Single Record of the Year: Before He Cheats, Carrie Underwood; Give It Away, George Strait; I Loved Her First, Heartland; What Hurts the Most, Rascal Flatts; Would You Go with Me, Josh Turner.

Song of the Year: Amarillo Sky, Jason Aldean; Before He Cheats, Carrie Underwood; Give It Away, George Strait; If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows), Rodney Atkins; Would You Go With Me, Josh Turner.

Video of the Year: 8th of November, Big & Rich; Amarillo Sky, Jason Aldean; Before He Cheats, Carrie Underwood; Hillbilly Deluxe, Brooks & Dunn; Seashores of Old Mexico, George Strait.

Vocal Event of the Year: Building Bridges, Brooks & Dunn with Vince Gill & Sheryl Crow; I Don't Want to, Ashley Monroe & Ronnie Dunn; Me and God, Josh Turner featuring Dr. Ralph Stanley; Politically Uncorrect, Gretchen Wilson featuring Merle Haggard; That's How They Do It in Dixie, Hank Williams Jr. with Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and Van Zant.

The Final End to My Nearly Year Long Crisis

Today, I finally got my permanent physical copy of my identification after such a long arduous tormenting ordeal. It is nice to be a person again and now I can get on with my life. Many, many months of delaying actions and objectives because of this overwhelming handicap have come and gone and it is has left me virtually financially in ruins.

Only because of the goodwill and charity of family and friends did I make it through this. A big thank you goes out to Kelly, Hank, Deb, Todd, Tascha, and, especially, Brant and Sarah, and their children for helping me out during this time as well as any others that I failed to mention.

Anyone who can further assist me financially for the coming month until I start to get back on my feet again would be greatly appreciated by me.

March Terrain and Skyviews in SE Wyoming

Today's Items that Caught My Eye

The US Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a contract to expand the National Cementary in Rock Island, IL, by 7000 gravesites. Given the point we are at, this is nothing less than disturbing news.

http://www.military.com/veterans-report/va-awards-contract-for-rock-island-cemetery?ESRC=vr.nl

One of the greatest things about the internet is the formation and growth of Craigslist. This simple and humble concept puts the sale and exchange of goods throughout ones community and the nation at their fingertips without having to pay a middleman. This article further explains the philosophy of the site's founder and what a great person he is.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0306-07.htm

And another article that discusses some additional troubling trends with the US Economy:

http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=12530

Here is a good site to bookmark to keep up with some of the widespread, rampant corporate treachery, evil, and crime that is occuring right before our eyes:

http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/

The Economic Policy Institute is releasing a series of policy position papers concerning the economic and social well-being of America and positive solutions and ideas to address the problems facing the nation's citizens. The link to read more about this is:

http://www.sharedprosperity.org/

And to read about what we need as far as in terms of a new social contract between the nation's government, business, and other powerful monied interests and institutions and the citizenry, read this article by the Agenda for Shared Prosperity:

http://www.sharedprosperity.org/bp184.html

List of Notable Sci-Fi Pictures

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_science_fiction_films

Additional resources can be found from the links at this site above.

re: A Little Help, Please: The Final Question is Answered

Sometimes, its better to be lucky than good. While surfing through Wikipedia on the subject of science fiction movies, I stumbled upon the answer to the final question from my earlier post.

I did not know the movie was originally made in Czechoslovakia in 1955 and then later updated by an American director who inserted American boys into the film and changed the setting to New York City. It was the revised version VML and I saw at the theater in 1968. The links to the original and updated version are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_the_Beginning_of_Time

http://www.kiddiematinee.com/j-jbtime.html

Now to find out if the picture is on video or DVD.

Some Worthwhile Items to Check Out

On a slow news day, heres a few things to check out and bookmark for future reference.

A. Global Warming Taking Toll on Vermont Maple Syrup

This troubling story shows the impact on a vital part of the economy in Vermont. If you have ever tasted real maple syrup, you know how much better it is than the commercial store brands.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/us/03maple.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&ref=us&pagewanted=all


B. Comparative State New Economy Data and Statistics Report

A new report released today by the Kauffman Foundation details the latest information about the presence and strength of the New Economy in each of the 50 states. I think it is hard to paint a broad sweep on individual states, particularly ones as large and diverse as those in the American West as well as elsewhere in the nation. There is a huge gap when comparing urban areas to rural areas as one might expect and this report places more emphasis on state boundaries when presenting its analysis instead more more justly and rightly comparing metropolitan areas and regions. Its a large PDF download file with a lot of data and maps, so be prepared to spend some time going through its 92 pages.

http://www.kauffman.org/pdf/2007_State_Index.pdf

C. Pizza, anyone?

Thirdly, a business franchise opportunity for the entrepreneur-inclined among my readers. This Montana firm looks like it has a sure-fire winner for those looking at business opportunities. I know if I had the capital or could get it that this would be among the startups I would seriously consider getting involved in. And there is a lot of territory here in the Central and Northern Rockies, the High Plains, Southwest, and Great Basin for an opportunity like this to be launched.

http://mackenzieriverpizza.com/

A look at the Upcoming NFL Draft

Although it is pretty much meaningless, I do enjoy finding out what players are chosen by which teams in the NFL Draft which is coming up on 28-29 April. Here is an early outlook on how the first round may go:

1 - OAK - Jamarcus Russell QB Louisiana State
2 - DET - Joe Thomas OT Wisconsin
3 - CLE - Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma
4 - TB - Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech
5 - ARIZ - Gaines Adams DE Clemson
6 - WASH- Alan Branch DT Michigan
7 - MINN - Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
8 - HTN - Levi Brown DT Penn State
9 - MIA - Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame
10- ATL - Laron Landry S Louisiana State
11- SF - Amobi Okoye DT Louisville
12 - BUF - Darrelle Revis CB Pittsburgh
13 - STL - Patrick Willis LB Mississippi
14 - CAR - Reggie Nelson S Florida
15 - PGH - Leon Hall CB Michigan
16 - GB - Greg Olsen TE Miami FL
17 - JAX - Ted Ginn, Jr WR Ohio State
18 - CINC - Paul Posluszny LB Penn State
19 - TENN - Daymeion Hughes CB California
20 - NYG - Marshawn Lynch RB California
21 - DEN - Adam Carriker DE Nebraska
22- DAL - Dwayne Jarrett WR Southern Californina
23 - KC - Dwayne Bowe WR Louisiana State
24 - NENG - Lawrence Timmons LB Florida State
25 - NYJ - Aaron Ross CB Texas
26 - PHIL - Anthony Spencer DE Purdue
27 - NORL - Chris Houston CB Arkansas
28 - NENG - Robert Meachum WR Tennessee
29 - BLT - Justin Blalock DT Texas
30 - SD - Michael Griffin S Texas
31 - CHI - Tank Tyler DT North Carolina State
32 - IND - Brandon Siler LB Florida

Over half of these players will never really contribute in the NFL and are getting chosen and paid large sums of money based entirely on professional potential. One can also see all the college programs which are basically taxpayer supported developmental and minor league for
the NFL, as there are no obscure or low profile schools listed here.

Obviously, when the draft is conducted, much will change as trades and reconsiderations of needs and players potentials will occur.

Coaching Changes in the Mountain West

The 2006-2007 Mountain West Conference Basketball Regular Season has not even ended yet and already two head coaches have been dismissed with additional dismissals looming ahead.

At New Mexico, Head Coach Richie McKay was told by University athletic officials that he would not be back next season on 22 February. And just on Friday, 3 March, Utah Head Coach Ray Giacoletti was asked to resign after only three seasons at the helm. A couple of other head coaches appear to be on thin ice. At Wyoming, Steve McClain may be on his way out after nine years; the Cowboys have underachieved and have not been a factor for the regular season MWC hoops crown and attendance has been lackadaisical at best. In Fort Collins, Colorado State may get rid of Dale Layer after several seasons of mediocre finishes in the conference and a limited presence in postseason while Layer has been at the coaching helm of the Rams. TCU could also make a coaching change, and a change is not out of the question at San Diego State, although it would seem remote. Brigham Young, Air Force, and Nevada-Las Vegas would appear to be staying the course with their coaching staffs, but Jeff Bzdelikhas been mentioned as a candidate for other jobs that may open after this season.

Meanwhile, pairings and schedules for the upcoming MWC Postseason Basketball Championship Tournament in Las Vegas have been announced. On Tuesday, 6 March, #9 New Mexico plays #8 Texas Christian in the "Pigtail Game" at 8:30 MST. On Thursday 8 March, four games are scheduled. It starts at 1pm MST when #1 Brigham Young plays the winner of the Tuesday Pigtail game. At 3:30 MST #4 Air Force takes on #5 Wyoming. At 7pm MST #2 Nevada-Las Vegas plays #7 Utah. And at 9:30pm MST #3 San Diego State plays #6 Colorado State. On Friday, 9 March, the winners of the two day games meet at 7pm MST with Thursday's two evening game winners playing at 9:30pm MST. The Championship Game is at 5pm MDT Saturday, 10 March. The Mtn. will televise the first five games; CSTV will televise Friday's two semifinals games nationally; and Saturday's championship game will be nationally televised on Versus.

The MWC Championship has produced six different champions in its seven-year history. San Diego State (2002, 2006) is the only team to have won two titles, followed by UNLV (2000), BYU (2001), Colorado State (2003), Utah (2004) and New Mexico (2005) with one apiece.

The No. 1 seed has won the tournament just twice in seven years. UNLV entered the inaugural MWC Tournament as the top seed in 2000 and won the title. Last year, San Diego State became the second No. 1 seed to claim the crown.

The No. 2 seed (BYU, New Mexico), No. 3 seed (Utah), No. 5 seed (San Diego State) and No. 6 seed (Colorado State) have captured tournament championships, while the No. 4 seed is 0-3 and the No. 7 seed is 0-1 in title games. The No. 8 seeds has yet to appear in the championship game.

The MWC regular-season champion has made it to the finals of the MWC tournament four times in seven years (UNLV 2000, BYU 2001, Utah 2005, San Diego State 2006), winning the championship three times. San Diego State is the only team to win both an outright regular-season title and the tournament crown in the same year.

All-time W-L records in the tournament for each team follows: UNLV (11-5); Utah (9-6); San Diego State (7-5); Brigham Young (6-6); Colorado State (5-6); New Mexico (5-6);

Wyoming (5-7); Texas Christian (0-1); Air Force (0-7).

Major League Facilities/Stadiums Report

One of my eclectic interests is maintaining awareness about major league sports' ever changing status about their facilities, arenas, stadiums, and ballparks. I find this more interesting at times than the actual games themselves because it is eternal story of power, manipulation, and money played at one of the highest levels of our nation. By now most teams have gotten new buildings constructed within the last 15 years or so, but there are still a few teams in each league that have not gotten their cookies and candies largely courtesy of taxpayers. Heres an update on those teams.

BASEBALL - This sport has almost reached nirvana. The NY Yankees and NY Mets have broken ground in the Bronx and Queens, respectively, on their new Taj Mahals that will open up in 2009 or 2010. The Oakland Athletics are working towards finishing up the remaining red tape and hope to break ground by next year for a 2011 or 2012 opening of their new building in neighboring Fremont, south of their current home and adjacent to the lucrative San Jose market in the South Bay. The Minnesota Twins look to break ground later this year or early next year with a new open-air ballpark that would open in 2010 in downtown Minneapolis not far from their current home, the 25-year old Metrodome. That just leaves the Florida Marlins, whom are working on the site and financial details of a new ballpark in downtown Miami with a planned opening by 2011. There is scuttlebutt about other teams looking at alternatives to where they are at now such as Toronto, Tampa Bay, and Los Angeles, but these are probably groundless at this point. 29 out of the 30 clubs have their building status in great shape or will shortly. Now we can look forward to expansion with Portland, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Birmingham, Nashville, Charlotte, Orlando, Norfolk, and Buffalo as new potential markets for MLB as the sport grows to 36 clubs by 2020.

FOOTBALL -- The NFL has done a remarkable job getting cities and states to ante up for buildings that are exclusive for football and thus get used 10-15 times per year at best. There remains a number of NFL teams that have yet to get their new building. The Oakland Raiders will probably start rattling their sabers in the next few years for a new building, particularly after their current co-tenants, the Athletics, depart for their own new building. The Raiders will hope that by that time the cross-bay rival San Francisco 49ers will have their building open in Santa Clara or still in San Francisco, probably by 2012. The Raiders may share until they get their new building by 2014. Down the coast, the San Diego Chargers are working on getting a new stadium somewhere in San Diego County. The club is hoping to have a site decided on by years end and to break ground by 2009 with a 2011 opening. The Minnesota Vikings are at square one with their stadium dreams. With the Twins and University of Minnesota Gophers getting priority on new facilities, the Vikings will probably have to wait which may become a concern for Minnesotans wary of new taxes and the peril of the team fleeing the Twin Cities for a market with a new state of the art building. Meanwhile, the NY Giants and NY Jets have broken ground on a new facility they will share in the Meadowlands near the existing Giants Stadium which will open in 2010. Dallas has construction underway in Arlington with an opening date in 2009 for their new stadium. New Orleans remains a question mark longterm with questions largely due to what has happened to the city and the bigger picture. With Lamar Hunt's death, there could be a change in circumstances with the Kansas City Chiefs. And the World Champion Indianapolis Colts' new stadium is under construction and will open in 2009. Teams rumored to be looking a better buildings or new homes besides the Saints include the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins. As the NFL expands to 40 teams by 2025-2030, cities that will be in the running for one of those new teams includes San Antonio, Birmingham, Memphis, Portland, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, Louisville, Norfolk, Orlando, Sacramento, Honolulu, and with the biggest prize, two teams in the Los Angeles market.

HOCKEY -- The NHL, much like MLB, is fairly close to nirvana with respect to their buildings. Only a few clubs are angling for new building. Among them are both the New York Rangers and New York Islanders, both whom are still in the talking stage about replacing their current buildings in Manhattan and Uniondale, Long Island. A crisis is already underway in the Steel City where the Pittsburgh Penguins will abandon the aging Mellon Arena for greener pastures, possibly in Kansas City. Pennsylvania politicos will have to scramble to keep this potential move from happening, perhaps in as soon as 45-60 days. The Edmonton Oilers want a new building within the next several years. The New Jersey Devils have a new building under construction in Newark that will open later this year. And the Detroit RedWings may start looking for a newer building in the coming years. The remaining 24 clubs are in newer buildings already. With the NHL looking to grow to 36 teams by 2020, cities that look to become members of the league include Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, Las Vegas, Houston, Milwaukee, Winnipeg, Oklahoma City, Baltimore, Salt Lake City, Anchorage, Hamilton, Windsor-Kitchener, Cincinnati, Kansas City, and Indianapolis.

BASKETBALL -- More than a few teams in the NBA are angling for new arenas and some of these teams are already in newer buildings constructed within the last decade or so. The Orlando Magic are close to having an agreement with government on construction of a new arena while the Sacramento Kings and Seattle Supersonics are pressing hard for new buildings of their own and threatening to relocate if they don't get their way. The Milwaukee Bucks are pointed in this same direction. The New York Knickerbockers want Madison Square Garden replaced with a brand new state-of-the-art palace in Central Manhattan. The New Jersey Nets have just broken ground on a new building in Brooklyn. The New Orleans Hornets plan to return full-time to the Crescent City but that does not appear to be set in stone for the longterm, much the same as their football brethern Saints. And the Memphis Grizzlies may be seeking greener pastures within a few years. The other 22 clubs look to be set as of now. The NBA looks to expand to 36 teams by 2020 which puts Norfolk, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, El Paso, Las Vegas, St Louis, and San Diego as cities hopeful for expansion clubs with San Jose and Anaheim looking to be relocation markets.

It sure appears that the treachery and greed by professional sports owners and their collaborators in corporate America and government will continue to exploit taxpayers to have fancy expensive new buildings constructed for many years to come.

2007 CMT Music Awards Nominees Announced

The names of the 2007 CMT Country Music Awards Nominees were released earlier today. My favorites and picks are:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR -

"What Hurts the Most" - Rascal Flatts

"Want to" - Sugarland

"The Seashores of Old Mexico" - George Strait

MALE VIDEO -

"A Little Too Late" - Toby Keith

FEMALE VIDEO -

"Before He Cheats" - Carrie Underwood

DUO VIDEO -

"8th of November" - Big and Rich

GROUP VIDEO -

"Not Ready to Make Nice" - Dixie Chicks

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO -

"Leave the Pieces" - The Wreckers

WIDE OPEN COUNTRY VIDEO -

"Always on Your Side" - Sheryl Crow with Sting

VIDEO DIRECTOR -

Wes Edwards, for "Amarillo Sky" by Jason Aldean


The announcement and presentation of the winners will be broadcast on Monday, 16 April, at 6pm MDT on CMT on both DirecTV and Dish Network Satellite Services, and if you are extremely lucky, on your local cable service since virtually none carry CMT unless you are getting gauged and paying $90 a month for that "digital" (ha!) package.

A full list of all the nominees can be seen at this link:

http://www.cmt.com/shows/events/cmt_music_awards/2007/nominees/

2007 WY Legislature: Some Good but Much Left Undone

The 2007 Wyoming State Legislative session has just wrapped up with some accomplishments but also with a number of significant missed opportunities to address and work towards solving issues vital to citizens of this state.

Among the significant accomplishments include a permanent end to the sales tax on grocery food; greater restrictions on having open containers of liquor in motor vehicles; further control and accountability of sex offenders in the state; funding for a new health sciences building at LCCC in Cheyenne; greater academic requirements for the Hathaway Scholarship Program; sole authorization for the governor to negotiate with Federal Wildlife officials for management of wolves; funding for greater oversight and assistance with daycare centers and day care; and some greater additional funding for transportation and highways as well as for the University of Wyoming.

But the Legislature came up short in several key areas. Among these include an open container law that still has holes in it; no statewide lottery bill; inadequate public safety measures concerning the manufacturing and use of methamphetamine; funding for community colleges;
a statewide public smoking ban; additional monies for the University of Wyoming, particularly concerning parking and maintenance; and far too little funding and authorization of new revenue sources for transportation, particularly highway maintenance, new highway expansion, and new highway construction with a new dedicated gasoline percentage tax on diesel vehicles with a tax rebate or discount program for Wyoming citizens and their diesel vehicles.

The challenges of funding for the needed maintenance, upgrades, and expansion of Wyoming roads and highways is one of the greatest challenges facing the state along with education; greater health care that is less expensive; a rapidly growing aging population; urban sprawl; water resource development and protection; environmental degradation; and crime due to poverty and substance abuse.

This legislative session did a fair job in helping draft laws to improve the lives of this state's citizens and maintain a quality of life that is the envy of many other states in the nation, but in the final analysis, the legislators did not do enough and fell short. I give the legislature and its members a grade of a "D+" or a "C-" for the results they produced.