The midsummer tradition, the MLB All-Star Game, is now less than six weeks away. Voting is ongoing and is being sponsored by monster.com as the game is being played in San Francisco on Tuesday, 10 July, with first pitch around 6:25pm and the broadcast on FOX television and ESPN radio. I have been fortunate to have watched 36 of the last 38 All-Star games broadcast since 1969.
Here is my ballot:
American League
C: Victor Martinez, CLE; with Ivan Rodriguez, DET; Joe Mauer, MINN; Jason Veritek, BSN; & Jorge Posada, NY; as backup competitors: Go with Rodriguez, Veritek, & Posada.
1B: Justin Moreau, MINN; with Kevin Youkilis, BSN, Carlos Pena, TB; Travis Haffner, CLE; Jim Thome, CHI; & David Ortiz, BSN; as backup competitors; go with Ortiz, Youkilis, Ortiz, & Haffner.
2B: Placido Polanco, DET; with BJ Upton, TB; Brian Roberts, BLT; & Luis Castillo, MINN; as backup competitors; go with Upton & Roberts.
SS: Derek Jeter, NY; with Orlando Cabrera, ANAH; Carlos Guillen, DET; Johnny Peralta, CLE; & Miguel Tejada, BLT; as backup competitors; go with Cabrera & Peralta.
3B: Alex Rodriguez, NY; with Akinori Iwamura, TB; Adrian Beltre, SEA; Mike Lowell, BSN; & Troy Glaus, TOR; as backup competitors; go with Lowell & Beltre.
LF: Carl Crawford, TB; with Manny Ramirez, BSN; Craig Monroe, DET; & Shannon Stewart, OAK; as backup competitors; go with Monroe & Ramirez.
CF: Ichiro Suzuki, SEA; with Torii Hunter, MINN; Curtis Granderson, DET; Grady Sizemore, CLE; & Gary Matthews, Jr, ANAH; as backup competitors; go with Granderson, Sizemore, & Hunter.
RF: Vladimir Guerrero, ANAH; with Magglio Ordonez, DET; Alex Rios, TOR; Michael Cuddyer, MINN; & Mark Teahen, KC; as backup competitors; go with Ordonez, Rios, & Cuddyer.
National League
C: Paul LoDuca, NY: with Bengie Molina, SF; Johnny Estrada, MLW; Brian McCann, ATL; & Russell Martin, LA; as backup competitors; go with Estrada, Martin, & Molina.
1B: Prince Fielder, MLW; with Adrian Gonzalez, SD; Todd Helton, COLO; Derrek Lee, CHI; & Dmitri Young, WASH; as backup competitors; go with Gonzalez & Lee.
2B: Chase Utley, PHIL; with Orlando Hudson, ARIZ; Brandon Phillips, CINC; Dan Uggla, FLA; & Kelly Johnson, ATL; as backup competitors; go with Hudson & Uggla.
SS: Edgar Renteria, ATL; with JJ Hardy, MLW; Jose Reyes, NY; Hanley Ramirez, FLA; Troy Tulowitzki, COLO; Omar Vizquel, SF; & Jimmy Rollins, PHIL; as backup competitors; go with Reyes, Vizquel, & Hardy.
3B: Miguel Cabrera, FLA; with Chipper Jones, ATL; Aramis Ramirez, CHI; David Wright, NY; & Ryan Zimmerman, WASH; as backup competitors; go with Ramirez & Jones.
LF: Matt Holliday, COLO; with Carlos Lee, HTN; Jason Bay, Pgh; Geoff Jenkins, MLW; Eric Byrnes, ARIZ; & Barry Bonds, SF; as backup competitors; go with Bay, Jenkins, Bonds, & Byrnes.
CF: Carlos Beltran, NY; with Aaron Rowand, PHIL; Chris Young, ARIZ; & Ryan Church, WASH; as backup competitors; go with Rowand & Church.
RF: Ken Griffey, Jr, CINC; with Jeff Francoeur, ATL; Randy Winn, SF; & Xavier Nady, PGH; as backup competitors; go with Francouer & Winn.
I will list my selections for pitchers later in June, as well as any substitutes in the starting eight required due to injury or deep slumps or giant positive streaks.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Jim Williams, 1915-2007
It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of legendary Colorado State University Head Basketball Coach Jim Williams. I first started following WAC basketball almost 35 years ago and appreciated the hard work and complete preparedness that the Rams teams coached by Williams exhibited whenever I got to see them play. Most of all, sportsmanship and good fundamental play were the hallmarks of his teams. I certainly hope officials at CSU see fit to name the court at Moby Arena in Fort Collins as Jim Williams Court as New Mexico has similarly done in naming the court "Bob King Court at University Arena" at the Albuquerque college.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/ncaa/article/0,2777,DRMN_23932_5565146,00.html
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/ncaa/article/0,2777,DRMN_23932_5565146,00.html
Friday 1 June News Articles and Observations
Welcome to June. Here are some news articles that caught my attention today and some brief reactions to them.
A. Expansion Possibilities for the National Park Service ?
Widespread expansion and growth of National Parks is long overdue. Little acreage has been added in the last quarter century plus. In the Mountain Time Zone alone, 12-15 new National Parks could be added with nearly that number or more for each other time zone. I would first, however, like to see a substantial increase in funding for the existing national parks, monuments, forests, grasslands, seashores, historical sites, and other national properties so they may be in superb condition with excellent maintenance, upkeep, staffing, and visitor and user services. I would think an increase of $35 to 60 billion dollars a year would be great for this agenda. Once again though, I would firmly believe no action on any of this will occur until after the '08 elections occur and we have more intelligent, progressive, and thoughtful leadership and policy making in both the Executive and Legislative branches.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6035209
-----
B. The Future of Mankind by Mid-Century
I would not be surprised if the great-grand children of my siblings come into life as a result of this. I am certain the practice of women carrying a fetus in utero will end on a large scale by 2075 or so as technology will allow for artificial wombs which will result in healthier, stronger, and better babies being born.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=459075&in_page_id=1879
-----
C. Accurate, Concise View of Bush Destruction of the Republican Party
There are a vast number of Republicans seriously unhappy and angry with Bush and his policy team, and this does not bode well for the GOP across the board in the '08 elections.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/
-----
D. The Greed, Arrogance, and Cost of the American Ruling Class
This article is very much an eye-opener and so very true. Corporations and the wealthy elite work very hard every day to the detriment of middle class and poor Americans all for their own greed, selfishness, and evil.
http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_kirby1_06-01-07_935PDFG.1c2eb61.html
-----
E. Insight on the Recent History of the Growth of the Corporacy
Excellent article about a recent writing that helps explain these highly detrimental economic, political, and social developments.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/01/1594/
-----
F. Bush Junta Out to Wipe Out Owls in Pacific Northwest
Not a surprising development as we all know what fiends and fools these boobs are.
http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/118048476135780.xml&coll=7
-----
G. No Child Left Behind Law Consequences
It is so very simple; repeal this law as it has had terrible and wasteful effects on public education. Get the Feds out of public education -- let it be under local control with even funding completely from state sources. NCLB has been an unmitigated disaster for students, parents, and teachers everywhere.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/31/1558/
-----
H. Well Explained and Analyzed Recent History
The author hits the nail on the head clearly, succinctly, and powerfully.
http://existentialistcowboy.blogspot.com/2007/05/good-bye-america-how-gop-subverted.html
-----
I. The Democrats in Congress: Soulless, Heartless, Mindless, and Hopeless
What a fine set of choices we have to look forward to in '08 as of today.
http://www.progressivedailybeacon.com/more.php?page=opinion&id=1561
-----
J. John Edwards' Energy Plan for America
Some of it sounds good, but increasing ethanol is a double-edged sword as it causes noteworthy increases in food prices and contributes substantially to air pollution and smog. I would strongly recommend investments and tax incentives for coal-dieselfication plants to convert coal to diesel fuel which would result in a reduction on foriegn oil and be a cleaner burning fuel as well. As for launching an investigation into oil corporations and their quite evident price gouging, it would be nice, but the real answer is to set market share limitations in every state of no more than 5 % for any and all oil corporations and their subsidiaries; producers; distributors; and retailers. This sector of the economy must see an enormous substantial increase in meaningful competion so as consumers and small entrepenuers can see and experience noticeable benefits.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070601/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_gas_prices;_ylt=Arjn3JJZBytWaN16eKz2jvzMWM0F
-----
K. 122 American Soldiers Die in Iraq in May 2007
The saddest and most frustrating thing though is that one can expect greater numbers of casualties in the coming months, with perhaps 200-300 or more lives lost in a one-month period alone soon.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/060107J.shtml
L. Bush Hatred towards Working Americans Amazing and Pathetic
Thank Goodness we now have less than 600 days left of this woeful, awful, inept, greedy, arrogant, wasteful, foolish junta that is clearly out to destroy the American worker.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Unions-Veto-Threats.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
-----
M. The Cold Hard Truth About the Iraq War
This scenario written about here is probably correct unfortunately. There will remain a lot of very long term consequences for our actions in Iraq, and future presidents may not get us out of Iraq and the Middle East completely from a military standpoint for many, many years.
http://welcome-to-pottersville.blogspot.com/2007/05/iraq-50-years-war.html
-----
N. Bush Becoming a Serious Out of Control Nutcase !?!
It would not be the first time an American President went insane while in office. Previous Presidents who exhibited and demonstrated signs and behaviors indicative of insanity include Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Franklin Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Calvin Coolidge, Warren Harding, Woodrow Wilson, William Taft, Benjamin Harrison, Ulysses Grant, and Abraham Lincoln.
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/2618
-----
O. Barack Obama Campaign Gathering Major Grassroots Youthful Support
Parallels are starting to be made between this campaign and the JFK 1960, RFK and Eugene McCarthy 1968, George McGovern 1972, and Ross Perot 1992 campaigns.
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/2617
P. Four States so Far Reject Sorry Real ID Federal Legislation
This sorry unconstitutional piece of legislation passed by a gutless Congress being intimidated by a berserk President and his inner circle of miscreants is being rejected completely by four states so far and hopefully by many more states in the next few years.
http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=212719
-----
Q. I Think We can All See the Future Headlines That are Coming
Once this news gets out and the stupid, naive, impressionable, desparate, and gullible men catch wind of it, one can only imagine the crazy and amazing things that are going to happen and what we will hear and read about. Comedians such as Jay Leno are going to have a lot more fodder.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18984762/wid/11915773?GT1=10109
-----
A. Expansion Possibilities for the National Park Service ?
Widespread expansion and growth of National Parks is long overdue. Little acreage has been added in the last quarter century plus. In the Mountain Time Zone alone, 12-15 new National Parks could be added with nearly that number or more for each other time zone. I would first, however, like to see a substantial increase in funding for the existing national parks, monuments, forests, grasslands, seashores, historical sites, and other national properties so they may be in superb condition with excellent maintenance, upkeep, staffing, and visitor and user services. I would think an increase of $35 to 60 billion dollars a year would be great for this agenda. Once again though, I would firmly believe no action on any of this will occur until after the '08 elections occur and we have more intelligent, progressive, and thoughtful leadership and policy making in both the Executive and Legislative branches.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6035209
-----
B. The Future of Mankind by Mid-Century
I would not be surprised if the great-grand children of my siblings come into life as a result of this. I am certain the practice of women carrying a fetus in utero will end on a large scale by 2075 or so as technology will allow for artificial wombs which will result in healthier, stronger, and better babies being born.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=459075&in_page_id=1879
-----
C. Accurate, Concise View of Bush Destruction of the Republican Party
There are a vast number of Republicans seriously unhappy and angry with Bush and his policy team, and this does not bode well for the GOP across the board in the '08 elections.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/
-----
D. The Greed, Arrogance, and Cost of the American Ruling Class
This article is very much an eye-opener and so very true. Corporations and the wealthy elite work very hard every day to the detriment of middle class and poor Americans all for their own greed, selfishness, and evil.
http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_kirby1_06-01-07_935PDFG.1c2eb61.html
-----
E. Insight on the Recent History of the Growth of the Corporacy
Excellent article about a recent writing that helps explain these highly detrimental economic, political, and social developments.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/01/1594/
-----
F. Bush Junta Out to Wipe Out Owls in Pacific Northwest
Not a surprising development as we all know what fiends and fools these boobs are.
http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/118048476135780.xml&coll=7
-----
G. No Child Left Behind Law Consequences
It is so very simple; repeal this law as it has had terrible and wasteful effects on public education. Get the Feds out of public education -- let it be under local control with even funding completely from state sources. NCLB has been an unmitigated disaster for students, parents, and teachers everywhere.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/31/1558/
-----
H. Well Explained and Analyzed Recent History
The author hits the nail on the head clearly, succinctly, and powerfully.
http://existentialistcowboy.blogspot.com/2007/05/good-bye-america-how-gop-subverted.html
-----
I. The Democrats in Congress: Soulless, Heartless, Mindless, and Hopeless
What a fine set of choices we have to look forward to in '08 as of today.
http://www.progressivedailybeacon.com/more.php?page=opinion&id=1561
-----
J. John Edwards' Energy Plan for America
Some of it sounds good, but increasing ethanol is a double-edged sword as it causes noteworthy increases in food prices and contributes substantially to air pollution and smog. I would strongly recommend investments and tax incentives for coal-dieselfication plants to convert coal to diesel fuel which would result in a reduction on foriegn oil and be a cleaner burning fuel as well. As for launching an investigation into oil corporations and their quite evident price gouging, it would be nice, but the real answer is to set market share limitations in every state of no more than 5 % for any and all oil corporations and their subsidiaries; producers; distributors; and retailers. This sector of the economy must see an enormous substantial increase in meaningful competion so as consumers and small entrepenuers can see and experience noticeable benefits.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070601/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_gas_prices;_ylt=Arjn3JJZBytWaN16eKz2jvzMWM0F
-----
K. 122 American Soldiers Die in Iraq in May 2007
The saddest and most frustrating thing though is that one can expect greater numbers of casualties in the coming months, with perhaps 200-300 or more lives lost in a one-month period alone soon.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/060107J.shtml
L. Bush Hatred towards Working Americans Amazing and Pathetic
Thank Goodness we now have less than 600 days left of this woeful, awful, inept, greedy, arrogant, wasteful, foolish junta that is clearly out to destroy the American worker.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Unions-Veto-Threats.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
-----
M. The Cold Hard Truth About the Iraq War
This scenario written about here is probably correct unfortunately. There will remain a lot of very long term consequences for our actions in Iraq, and future presidents may not get us out of Iraq and the Middle East completely from a military standpoint for many, many years.
http://welcome-to-pottersville.blogspot.com/2007/05/iraq-50-years-war.html
-----
N. Bush Becoming a Serious Out of Control Nutcase !?!
It would not be the first time an American President went insane while in office. Previous Presidents who exhibited and demonstrated signs and behaviors indicative of insanity include Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Franklin Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Calvin Coolidge, Warren Harding, Woodrow Wilson, William Taft, Benjamin Harrison, Ulysses Grant, and Abraham Lincoln.
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/2618
-----
O. Barack Obama Campaign Gathering Major Grassroots Youthful Support
Parallels are starting to be made between this campaign and the JFK 1960, RFK and Eugene McCarthy 1968, George McGovern 1972, and Ross Perot 1992 campaigns.
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/2617
P. Four States so Far Reject Sorry Real ID Federal Legislation
This sorry unconstitutional piece of legislation passed by a gutless Congress being intimidated by a berserk President and his inner circle of miscreants is being rejected completely by four states so far and hopefully by many more states in the next few years.
http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=212719
-----
Q. I Think We can All See the Future Headlines That are Coming
Once this news gets out and the stupid, naive, impressionable, desparate, and gullible men catch wind of it, one can only imagine the crazy and amazing things that are going to happen and what we will hear and read about. Comedians such as Jay Leno are going to have a lot more fodder.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18984762/wid/11915773?GT1=10109
-----
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