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

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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.

Veterans Committee Vote Extremely Disappointing

The results of the Veterans Committee vote for entrance into the MLB Hall of Fame on Tuesday was not one that was welcomed by anyone. Numerous worthy candidates were once again wrongfully kept from being enshrined in the Hall and as each year goes by, more and more of these men pass on without being given the highest honor in baseball.

The 84 eligible voters (only 82 participated this year) have yet to vote anyone in in the three elections held since there was a revamp of the voting process following unfounded charges of cronyism with the election of career .260 hitter Bill Mazeroski in 2001.

Among the players missing being elected include 3B Ron Santo of the Chicago Cubs; 283-game winner Jim Kaat, who primarily pitched for Minnesota; Gil Hodges, who hit 370 career home runs while catching for Brooklyn and who managed the NY Mets to the World Series title in 1969; Tony Oliva, a three-time AL Batting Champion; Maury Wills, a prolific base stealer who held the season record for steals from 1962 until Rickey Henderson broke it; Joe Torre , a perennial All-Star Catcher with the Braves and Cardinals with an MVP and batting title; Don Newcombe, a longtime pitching great with Brooklyn who was one of the first black pitchers after the color barrier was broken; Roger Maris, who set the home run season record in 1961; Curt Flood, who historical significance as a player in the game is almost unmatched; Luis Tiant, the left-handed screwballer who led the White Sox and Red Sox pitching staffs during the late 1960s and 1970s; Lefty O'Doul, a career .349 hitter with four batting titles; and Mickey Vernon, a seven-time All-Star with two batting titles whose career spanned across 4 decades.

Others who contributed to the game who deserve recognition and enshrinement into the Hall include long-time highly respected veteran umpire Doug Harvey; Players Representative Marvin Miller, who had the greatest impact on the business of the game as anyone ever has; Walter O'Malley, the longtime Dodger owner; as well as several other contributers: Whitey Herzog, Bill White, Dick Williams, Charles Finley, Harry Dalton, Phil Wrigley, and Paul Richards.

Lets hope these long overdue enshrinements of these men occur in the immediate coming years and before more of them pass on.

Visitors to My Blog from Around the Globe!

The number of places that the visitors to my blog come from only continues to grow. This week the list expands to include Taiwan, Japan, France, Finland, Latvia, Belguim, Australia, Chile, and South Africa. Visitors from American states are from Oregon, Utah, Illinois, California, Maryland, Arizona, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Canadian visitors are from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.

Post-Academy Awards Wrap-Up

As expected, the 79th Annual Academy Awards presentation from Los Angeles honoring accomplishment in film and in acting and the creative and production process therein provided excitement and enjoyment.

The major six awards went largely as expected. The Departed took the Best Picture Award, evidently edging out Little Miss Sunshine. Martin Scorsese finally got the Best Director Award after having come close so many times before. Forest Whitaker took the Best Actor Award for The Last King of Scotland, but I would have preferred that Peter O'Toole would have won as he has never taken the award in over 50 years of professional work. Best Actress went to Helen Mirren for her standout performance in the role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen. Best Supporting Actress as expected went to newcomer Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls. The one award that might have been called an upset was for Best Supporting Actor, going to longtime actor Alan Arkin for his role in Little Miss Sunshine. I wanted Mark Wahlberg to win for his gutsy role in The Departed, and many thought Eddie Murphy would win for his performance in Dreamgirls.

Other than awards themselves, there were some good points and then some that were not. Ellen DeGeneres was mediocre at best as the emcee and most of her antics were boring. The lack of a podium on the awards stage was disconcerting as award winners had to set their trophies on the stage floor to read their notes of appreciation, gratitude, and tribute. And this made it look very awkward as well. The hype for An Inconvenient Truth was a little too much; Melissa Etheridge thoroughly embarrassed herself; and Clint Eastwood stumbled through his lines during the tribute to Ennio Morricone. On the plus side, Meryl Streep rocked when interacting with Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt; the three directors presenting Martin Scorsese with his Oscar was full of warmth and humor; and the stirring performance by Celine Dion debuting a new song ," I Knew I Loved You", during the tribute to Ennio Morricone touched the heart of everybody. Most of actresses looked striking in their gowns with styles that was very alluring and eyegrabbing. And as always the tributes to the members of the profession that had passed away in the last year and what some of their most noteworthy contributions and roles were is one of the highlights of the production year in and year out.

Overall, a great entertaining way to spend almost four hours on a bitterly cold Sunday night in February.

re: A Little Help, Please: Three of Four Solved!

On February 19, I posted a request about some books that I remembering reading as a youth but not remembering much about them. I did get information about the Detectives series from LAL and KVS and here is the link about that book series:

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

The second series of books was concerning animals in a fictional context and, after getting a clue, I was able to discover their identity and remarkably they are books authored by the legendary Rudyard Kipling called the Just So Stories. The links about these books are:

http://www.online-literature.com/kipling/

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

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

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

The third mystery concerned a black and white short film I saw while in junior high in the early 1970s concerning a soldier about to be hung and he flashbacks about his life shortly before he was to be executed. Once again I got a clue and discovered its name -- An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, based on an 1890 short story by Ambrose Bierce. The link for the film is:

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

Three mysteries down and one to solve! Any help about the film I saw almost 40 years ago about kids on a boat going down a river and back in time to the dawn of the planet would be greatly welcome. And I am sure I will dig up partial memories about other things that I will need help and some clues about.

On the Frontlines Before the Dawn of World War 4 in the Arabian Sea

from the London Telegraph:

American armada prepares to take on Iran

By Damien McElroy aboard the USS Eisenhower

3:34pm GMT 24/02/2007

It is four and a half acres of American power in the middle of the Arabian Sea but the influence of USS Dwight D Eisenhower stretches for hundreds of miles.

The aircraft carrier, backed by its sister vessel, a handful of destroyers and a shoal of support ships, has placed a maritime ring of steel around an increasingly unstable region.

While the Eisenhower is ostensibly assisting US operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is the looming threat of Iran that increasingly occupies its attention.

...You can finish reading this article at this link:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/02/24/wiran24.xml

What troubling times we are in and it may only get worse, much worse, very soon.

Current Players MLB Hall of Fame Outlook

I have been looking at the statistics of current MLB players and trying to determine which ones may be in the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown someday. Here is my my best guess estimate at some of them.

Pitchers:
1) Roger Clemens
2) Greg Maddux
3) Tom Glavine
4) Randy Johnson
5) Mike Mussina
6) Trevor Hoffman
7) Mariano Rivera
8) John Smoltz
9) Joe Nathan
10) Johan Santana
11) Barry Zito
12) Curt Schilling
13) Roy Halladay
14) Roy Oswalt
15) Andy Pettite

Catchers/Infielders:
1) Albert Pujols
2) Derek Jeter
3) Mike Piazza
4) Alex Rodriguez
5) Jim Thome
6) Craig Biggio
7) Jeff Bagwell
8) David Ortiz

Outfielders:
1) Ichiro Suzuki
2) Vladimir Guerrero
3) Barry Bonds
4) Ken Griffey, Jr.
5) Bernie Williams
6) Andruw Jones

There are probably other names that could be put on this list, and for some of the names I have listed there may sound arguments against. Give me your opinions.

Overlooked Pictures and Performances for This Year's Academy Awards

Every year, there are many quality films and performances that are overlooked and not included as nominees for the Academy Awards. Here are few that have caught the eye of various critics and analysts:

Best Picture:

United 93
Children of Men
Inland Empire
Flags of Our Fathers
Old Joy
The Devil Wears Prada
Hollywoodland
Infamous
Factotum
The Pursuit of Happyness
The Black Dahlia
Blood Diamond
The Illusionist
Stranger than Fiction
The Prestige
The Good Shepherd
The Painted Veil
Apocalypto
Sherrybaby
Candy

Best Director:

Bill Condon, for Dreamgirls
Robert Altman, for A Prairie Home Companion
Paul Greengrass, for United 93

Best Actor:

Matt Dillon, for Factotum
Aaron Eckhart, for Thank You for Not Smoking
Leonardo DiCaprio, for The Departed
Jack Nicholson, for The Departed
Clive Owen, for Children of Men
Matt Damon, for The Good Shepherd
Edward Norton, for The Illusionist

Best Actress:

Maggie Gyllenhaal , for Sherrybaby
Gretchen Mol, for The Notorious Bettie Page
Laura Dern, for Inland Empire
Shareeka Epps, for Half Nelson
Geraldine Hughes, for Rocky Balboa
Maribel Verdu, for Pan's Labyrinth

Supporting Actress:

Sandra Bullock, for Infamous
Diane Lane, for Hollywoodland
Emily Blunt, for The Devil Wears Prada
Rose Byrne, for The Dead Girl
Vera Farmiga, for Breaking and Entering

Supporting Actor:

Ben Affleck, for Hollywoodland
William Hurt, for The King
Michael Caine, for Children of Men
Paul Giamatti, for The Illusionist


The pictures I saw among all the listed here were:

United 93
Flags of Our Fathers
The Illusionist
The Pursuit of Happyness
Hollywoodland
The Devil Wears Prada

I hope see all the others in the coming years.

Alarming and Terrifying News

One of the most alarming and terrifying news items which is almost never covered by any media is the looming prospect of the creation of the North American Union. This process, well under way, will economically, legally, and politically integrate the three North American Nations of Canada, America, and Mexico. The consequences for ordinary Canadians and Americans is a loss of quality of life and greatly endangered personal and community economic security, among many other things. There are a number of websites which further address the perils and consequences of this looming action which is being pushed hard by a powerful coalition of monopolist-leaning multi-national corporations and their government lackeys, the Bush Administration; and the corrupt graft-ridden Mexican government which is deeply beholden to criminal interests and a mindset that focuses on weakening American economically to the benefit of their elites and wealthy class. Some of these websites are:

http://stopspp.com/stopspp

http://www.spingola.com/building_a_north_american_commun.htm

http://www.sppsucks.com/

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=14965

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=15017

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=15059

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=15233

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=15497

http://www.vivelecanada.ca/article.php/20061017134736757

http://www.michellemalkin.com/immigration/2005/03/28/11:22.pm

http://www.independentvoice.ca/2006/10/national/NRoshak_DeepIntegration.php

Sitemeter Results

Its been about over three weeks since I put the sitemeter on my blog. This program not only tallies the number of visitors to one's site, but also provides some information on where they are from. I find it fascinating on where people are from when they view my blog. I have had visitors from Canada, Spain, China, Indonesia, Mongolia, India, and Malaysia. Domestic visitors have come from states throughout America. The world is indeed getting to be a smaller place. I have also been visited from people using servers that are government operated both on the state and federal level.

I wish these individuals would leave a comment letting me know a little more about them and where they are from and how they happened to come upon my site. I think I will keep my readers aware of this every so often as I am sure that it is of some curiosity.

Recommendation for Insight on Climate Forecasts

To best understand what is in store in the coming several months for our climate here in the Central Rockies, High Prairie, and the Southwest, I highly recommend this website maintained by Dr. Klaus Wolter, an internationally respected professional in his field who works out of the Earth System Research Laboratory (ERSL) in Boulder:

http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/people/klaus.wolter/SWcasts/index.html


Dr. Wolter will have a new forecast projection published on his site on Friday, February 23; so if you can, take a look and see what is in store for us in the coming months.

79th Annual Academy Award Predictions

The Academy Awards broadcast is coming this Sunday evening, February 25, at 6pm, on ABC. For many years I have enjoyed this broadcast, particularly when the historical past of the film tradition is presented. This industry has a long rich history and has played an instrumental role in addressing shortcomings and injustices in our society. Many of my favorite films over the years reflect these efforts.

For this year, here are my predictions for the six leading categories:

Best Picture: The Departed

Best Director: Martin Scorsese, for The Departed

Best Actor: Peter O'Toole, for Venus

Best Actress: Judi Dench, for Notes on a Scandal

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson, for Dreamgirls

Best Supporting Actor: Mark Wahlberg, for The Departed


Look for The Departed to walk away with 4-6 awards. Upsets are always possible, but I think the Best Film and Best Director are leadpipe cinches.

Be sure to cast your vote for which film you think will win Best Picture this year over on the right side of my blog!

I will post on Monday the 26th with a followup about the Awards.

The Streak Ends, Falling 2 Days from the Top

Well, Denver's nice long streak of snowcover did come to an end on Tuesday, 19 February, after 61 consecutive days which places it as the second longest period in recordest history which goes back about a century (one has question of the validity of any data about this particular subject that dates back before 1913).

Of course, Hank down in Castle Rock is still buried under 15" to 25" of snow which will probably last for another 20-40 days depending on March's weather.


PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
925 AM MST TUE FEB 20 2007


.......DENVER'S CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF SNOW COVER ENDS...

.......61 CONSECUTIVE DAYS FINISHES IN 2ND PLACE...

AT APPROXIMATELY 6 AM ON THIS TUESDAY MORNING, THE OBSERVERS AT THE FORMER STAPLETON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MEASURED ONLY A TRACE OF SNOW ON THE GROUND.

THIS ENDS THE CONSECUTIVE SNOW COVER STREAK AT 61 DAYS AND PLACES THIS SEASON'S STREAK ALONE IN SECOND PLACE.

MEASURABLE SNOW IS DEFINED AS HAVING AT LEAST ONE INCH OF SNOW ON THE GROUND WHICH IS OFFICIALLY MEASURED NEAR THE FORMER STAPLETON INTERNATONAL AIRPORT. DENVER WEATHER HISTORY FOR SNOWFALL STATISTICS BEGAN IN JANUARY 1882.


HERE IS THE FINAL LIST OF THE TOP THREE PERIODS OF CONSECUTIVE SNOW COVER IN DENVER:

NUMBER OF DAYS INCLUSIVE DATES

63 DAYS.................................... NOVEMBER 26 1983 - JANUARY27 1984

61 DAYS ................................... DECEMBER 21 2006 - FEBRUARY 19 2007 (FINAL)

60 DAYS.................................... DECEMBER 1 1913 - JANUARY 29 1914

WFO DENVER/BOULDER

Now we will probably have a streak of 10-12 days above 100 degrees this June and July to balance this out...

Early Look at '08 Presidential Candidates

With still over eleven months until the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire Primary, a large field of candidates for the Presidency representing both parties has stepped forward. Thus, some observations and outlooks about each of them is already in in order.

The favorites and challengers from the Democratic side of the slate...

1) Hillary Clinton - Senator Clinton is the favorite coming out of the clubhouse and is almost a leadpipe cinch to win the nomination. It is hers to lose. She has the unmatched capability in this campaign of both thoroughly exciting and captivating citizens and yet also angering and infuriating others. While she lacks a genuine warmth and charisma, her intelligence and fire gives her a great deal of credibility. Her presence in front of TV cameras and the press leaves something to be desired, and another candidate may capitalize on those shortcomings and overtake her before the votes start getting counted for real.

2) Barack Obama - The Freshman Illinois Senator has created a lot of interest and excitement from his entry into the race, but once you get past that, one has to seriously question if he has the experience and worldliness to take on the job as the most important person on the planet. His book has spelled out his observations, outlook, and vision for our nation, but he has to prove to a lot of citizens that he is the best candidate for the Democrats and that would seem to be an accomplishment that would be difficult at best to achieve at this point in history. It seems he is a man ahead of his time and would be better suited to be a candidate in 2012 or 2016.

3) John Edwards - The 2004 Vice-Presidential Candidate has set forth an aggressive agenda and, in spite of the lack of a lot of experience particularly in world affairs, does have the vision and charisma to upset the current leaders in the race. Whether he can capitalize on that early in the season when it will count most remains to be seen, but of the current longshots, he stands the best chance of becoming a frontrunner down the road.

4) Bill Richardson - The New Mexico Governor could have the nomination fall into his lap with the right circumstances, but he stands as more as a likely Vice-Presidential nominee because of his Hispanic appeal. His foreign policy experience does rank as a big plus.

5) Wesley Clark - The retired General has a great deal of credibility and experience in foreign policy unlike most of his competitors. But he is probably too much of a centist and is seen as being too close to the military for the largely politically correct leftist Democratic electoral core.

6) Dennis Kucinich - The Ohio Congressman and former hapless Cleveland Mayor has a loyal core of dedicated supporters that will enable him to stay in the race longer than might be expected, but his chances for the nomination are zilch and his impact on the platform will be minimal.

7) Joseph Biden - Delaware's Senior Senator has long been a Washington insider and a voice for the party, but he has no chance of getting the nomination anymore than he did back in 1988 when he first ran for the Presidency. He is DOA in this campaign.

8) Christopher Dodd - This longtime Connecticut Senator and Washington insider has no chance of earning the nomination and is likely to be one of the first ones to bow out of the campaign.

9) Tom Vilsack - The Iowa Governor is a paler version of John Edwards, and although he has some good ideas on policy direction particularly on energy, he will have difficulty in standing out in the crowded field and his Iowa base will not transfer readily to Democratic strongholds in the Northeast and West Coast.

10) Mike Gravel - The Alaskan's campaign is almost akin to Kucinch's, and while he has no chance to take the nomination, he will bring an alternative voice to the campaign which will be refreshingly new as all the other candidates are well known already. (can anyone picture this man in their head?)

...and I have to mention one other person, former Vice-President Al Gore, Jr. While he continues to insist that he will not be a candidate, there is widespread belief that he will join the campaign later this year, and when and if this happens, he will win the nomination and be the odds on favorite to win the Presidency and actually be sworn in, unlike what happened in 2000-2001.

On the Republican side of the slate...

1) John McCain - Much like Hillary Clinton, the nomination is for his to lose. McCain carries both a lot of credibility and baggage within the GOP, but he stands out today as the best candidate for the GOP in 2008. He can be both engaging and gruff and his domestic policy stance is a little more to the center than many in the Republican electorate may like, but his experiences, record, and voice on foreign policy place him head and shoulders above all his competitors. The key for McCain will be moving to right enough to satisfy the conservative Republican electorate without having any consequences further in the process.

2) Rudy Gulliani - He will get the nomination if McCain falters in spite of enormous shortcomings and inadequacies in almost every important area that can be considered. He is a lot of smoke and no fire, but throughout our history many candidates like him have gone a long way. Whether if he has any substance remains to be seen.

3) Mitt Romney - The former Massachusetts Governor is a dark horse for the nomination and still has a long way to go to capture the imagination of the GOP electorate. His stand on a number of moral issues essential to the core has wavered noticeably and some voters may not be comfortable with a Morman, particularly zealous Southern evangelicals and other fervant religious Republicans who make up a large amount of the party's voting core.

4) Sam Brownback - This Kansan stands to have the most to gain in the coming year or so. His stance on most issues is in line with most Republicans and he distinctly lacks a link to the Bush Administration which is also a big plus. He has to overcome the challenge of lower name recognition and being unknown outside Kansas and the inner GOP circle.

5) Tom Tancredo - Although he has yet to officially announce his candidacy, it is all but certain he will. He won't get far, but much like Kucinich on the Democratic side, he will have a niche candidacy and may stay in the race longer than expected and may force policy stances and a platform that closely resembles his views from the eventual nominee.

6) Ron Paul - The Libertarian Texas Congressman is much like Tancredo, hoping his candidacy helps shape the platform since he has no chance of capturing the nomination.

7) Jim Gilmore - The Republican National Committee Chairman and former Virginia Governor is DOA for the Presidential campaign as he is unknown outside the Commonwealth.

8) Mike Huckabee - The stories of his massive weight loss while he was Arkansas Governor will be about the only attention he will get unless Oprah invites him to be on her show to talk about that and he tries to get a word in edgewise about everything else that his candidacy is about.


9) Duncan Hunter - Much like Jim Gilmore, the hawkish California Congressman is out of his league and will be out very quickly.

10) Tom Thompson - The former Wisconsin Governor and Secretary of Health and Human Services, a respected voice on education reform, will never get his campaign far off the ground and figures to be an early exit from the race.

...and one or more other persons should be discussed, but who they are and what their names are unknown at this time. Almost definitely, they will be designated as the Bush Administration's specific candidate for the Republican Presidential Nomination. This individual may get into this position by becoming Vice-President when and if Dick Cheney resigns. It may also be someone already in the cabinet or having a profile elsewhere in Government. It will be quite interesting when this individual emerges as it accepted that Bush, Cheney, and Rove are not pleased with the current crop of nominee seekers running.

The whole thing about this story is that is had to be discussed 10-12 months before it should have and by the time next winter comes we will already be tired of all the media coverage of these candidates and what they are talking about and we may actually welcome the interuptions obsessively covering the lurid, sordid, and tragic lives and deaths of Hollywood and other types of celebrities, God forbid!

The Best Plan Yet for a Tremendous Problem

From the January 26, 2007, edition of the Christian Science Monitor:

Fix federal aid for presidential races

If candidates decline public campaign funds, their donors
will be embedded in the Oval Office.

The Monitor's View

The 2008 presidential race is shaping up to be the greenest in history. And we're not talking tree- hugging. Hillary Clinton has waved off federal funds for the general election, with others likely to follow. Is this the end for the public campaign-finance system?

Congress needs to change the law that was designed in the 1970s to keep presidential elections from being partly decided by how much money is spent. Otherwise, presidents will be even more beholden to donors in their official decisions.

Finish reading the article at:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0126/p08s01-comv.html


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And with this news, it becomes more vital to address this failing campaign finance situation :

Nine state legislatures have bills pending that would move up their presidential primary date next year.

Current date Proposed date

Arizona September 9 March 2
California June 3 February 5
Florida March 11 January 29
Illinois March 18 February 5
Indiana May 5 March 3
Nebraska May 13 February 9
New Jersey February 26 February 5
Pennsylvania April 22 March 4
Texas March 4 February 5

Closing In on a New Record

Tune in on Wednesday the 21st and Thursday the 22nd to see if the record does get broken...
Heres the link:

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/bou/?n=consec_snowog




PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
725 AM MST MON FEB 19 2007


..DENVER'S CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF SNOW COVER CONTINUES.......
... 61 CONSECUTIVE DAYS...NOW IN 2ND PLACE......
...NOW ONLY 2 DAYS FROM THE ALL TIME RECORD OF 63 DAYS...


AT APPROXIMATELY 6 AM ON THIS MONDAY MORNING, THE OBSERVERS AT THE FORMER STAPLETON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MEASURED THE SNOW DEPTH. THE AVERAGE DEPTH OF THE SNOW DEPTH THIS MORNING WAS 2 INCHES WHICH IS STILL ABOVE THE 1 INCH REQUIRED FOR THE STREAK TO CONTINUE.

THEREFORE...AS OF MONDAY...FEBRUARY 19TH...61 CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF MEASURABLE SNOW COVER HAS BEEN RECORDED IN DENVER MOVING THE CURRENT STREAK INTO THE 2ND MOST CONSECUTIVE SNOW COVERED DAYS IN DENVER WEATHER HISTORY. THE ALL TIME MOST CONSECUTIVE SNOW COVERED DAYS IS 63. THAT RECORD IS NOW ALSO IN JEOPARDY!

MEASURABLE SNOW IS DEFINED AS HAVING AT LEAST ONE INCH OF SNOW ON THE GROUND WHICH IS OFFICIALLY MEASURED NEAR THE FORMER STAPLETON INTERNATONAL AIRPORT. DENVER WEATHER HISTORY FOR SNOWFALL STATISTICS BEGAN IN JANUARY 1882.

THE CURRENT STREAK IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE EVEN THOUGH HIGH TEMPERATURES DURING THE DAY WILL BE QUITE PLEASANT AND MELTING WILL OCCUR. NIGHT TIME TEMPERATURES ARE STILL FORECAST TO BE BELOW FREEZING. THUS ANY MELTING WILL BE TEMPORARILY HALTED... BUT THE ACTUAL SNOW COVER DEPTH SHOULD STILL DECREASE.

THE LONGEST STRETCH OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS WITH MEASURABLE SNOW COVER IN DENVER WAS 63 DAYS FROM NOVEMBER 26TH 1983 THROUGH JANUARY 27TH 1984. THAT RECORD SETTING PERIOD WAS MAINLY THE RESULT OF THE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND BLIZZARD THAT DUMPED 21.5 INCHES OF SNOW OVER A TWO DAY PERIOD. IN FACT...MOST OF THE SIGNIFICANT PERIODS OF SNOW COVER BEGAN WITH A MAJOR WINTER STORM JUST LIKE THE DECEMBER 20-21 2006 BLIZZARD.

ALSO NOTE HOW MOST OF THESE LONG STREAKS BEGAN IN OR NEAR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER...WHEN THE DAYS ARE SHORTEST AND THE SUN ANGLE IS LOWEST .

HERE IS A LIST OF THE TOP 10 PERIODS OF CONSECUTIVE SNOW COVER IN DENVER:

NUMBER OF DAYS INCLUSIVE DATES

63 DAYS....................................NOVEMBER 26 1983 - JANUARY 27 1984

**61 DAYS AND MELTING.........DECEMBER 21 2006 - FEBRUARY 19 2007 (Updated)**

60 DAYS....................................DECEMBER 1 1913 - JANUARY 29 1914

48 DAYS....................................DECEMBER 24 1982 - FEBRUARY 9 1983

43 DAYS....................................DECEMBER 19 1973 - JANUARY 30 1974

39 DAYS....................................NOVEMBER 21 1992 - DECEMBER 29 1992

38 DAYS....................................DECEMBER 24 1987 - JANUARY 30 1988

35 DAYS...................................JANUARY 2 1949 - FEBRUARY 5 1949

33 DAYS....................................DECEMBER 17 1918 - JANUARY 18 1919

27 DAYS...................................JANUARY 28 1989 - FEBRUARY 23 1989

WFO DENVER/BOULDER

A Little Help, Please?

I am trying to remember the titles of two movies I saw when I was a boy. One which I saw in 1968 or 1969 was about some kids who travel down a river through time and see the iceage, cavemen, large mammals, dinosaurs, sea creatures, and all the way back to the dawn of the planet and then they wake up and realize it was only a dream. The second movie was one I saw while in school--middle school--and it was about a Confederate soldier who is dreaming about or reminiscing about his past just before he is hung by the Union soldiers. It was in black and white. Any information about these two films would be greatly appreciated.


I am also trying to remember the names of some series of books that I read along with my siblings. One set was about some young detectives who were mentored by Alfred Hitchcock and they solved crimes and mysteries in books that were about 100 pages or so long. The other series I am much more vague about as these books were read before age 10 and concerned animals in the jungle and savannah that talked and learned about other animals and one thing about these series of books was the animals had one storybook based on their ability to camouflage and conceal themselves in the jungle, such as a leopard. I am sure that this material is out of print but perhaps one of my siblings has better recall about having these stories read to them and reading these books themselves. Thanks for any assistance or insight on these questions.