Wednesday 19 September News Articles and Observations

Here are a couple of recent news articles and some brief observations on them.


A. Report on the Most Corrupt Members of Congress

Many of the names on this list are not surprising. McConnell of Kentucky reeks so bad of corruption he is a walking river of flatulation. We all know that politicians from Alaska and New Mexico are seriously and constantly corrupt. And there has to be some from California just because it is so populous. There are probably many more but these 22 are among the most seriously corrupt and guilty of various crimes.


http://www.beyonddelay.org/node/373


http://carpebaloney.blogspot.com/2007/09/republicans-hold-18-4-edge-in-congress.html


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B. International Dollar Woes Continue to Grow


The American Economy is a disaster, largely operating only because of massive debt by government, corporations, families, and individuals. With the collapse of the housing market underway and only expected to worse, it is inevitable that foreign investors will look elsewhere to earn money from their investments. And the American economy will continue to increasingly suffer.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/09/19/bcnsaudi119.xml


http://www.alternet.org/workplace/62787/


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C. An Idea Whose Time Has Come


I wholeheartedly support this idea, but it is highly unlikely ever to become reality. Only if laws and rules are enacted that apply to all types and kinds of government that would prohibit businesses and corporations who pay excessive salaries and compensation to executives and management from having business dealings and contracts with all forms of government everywhere will it begin to take flight.


http://www.alternet.org/workplace/62507/


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D. The Shame and Disgrace of Bush Mercenaries in Iraq


I have strongly aware of the shortcomings of the mercenary corporation Blackwater that has been operating in Iraq and without any real oversight. My misgivings have been confirmed again this last week and I hope its only a matter of time before this Bush Junta hired muscle is run out of Iraq.


http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/63042/


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E. At Last, Greenspan Tells It Like It Is


We all knew this before the Emperor of Finances Finally Told the Truth.


http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/091607a.html


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F. American Military Forces Relief Act Shot Down in US Senate By Republicans


Democrats in the US Senate were only able to get five Republicans to join them on this Jim Webb sponsored bill that would have required troops to spend an equal amount of time at home to what they spend in Iraq. Voters, please remember those cowardly and foolish Republicans next year in the primaries and the general election.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070920/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq_70


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A Sweet Sweep With a Tremendous Ending

As Summer fades into Autumn, the remaining days of the baseball season slip away like sand grains in an hourglass. The Colorado Rockies are probably going to end like one of those grains of sand, but they are fighting until the end and providing some great play and entertainment along the way. Tuesday 18 September was a striking example of just that. Sweeping a day-night doubleheader against their bitter rivals and fellow postseason berth challengers, the Los Angeles Dodgers, are moments for fans and followers to remember and treasure after so many seasons of having no meaningful games in September. Save 1995, and this is the only other pennant race this club has ever been in. Having the nightcap end in such a dramatic fashion with a walkoff home run by the franchise's stalwart, Todd Helton, was truly a stirring moment and one for the ages for fans like me. And it keeps the dream alive for another day. Just maybe...


http://mvn.com/mlb-rockies/


http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/mlb/article/0,2777,DRMN_23924_5701332,00.html


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Mountain West Conference Football Review After Week Three

What was forecast for the MWC before the season commenced has not come to fruition. The top three schools have had their struggles. Preseason favorite Texas Christian was clobbered at Texas and took it on the chin at Air Force, leaving the Horned Frogs with two losses early and in a competitive race for the conference title. BYU also has two early losses at UCLA and Tulsa. Utah lost their first two contests but bounced back strongly and surprisingly this weekend by blowing out UCLA in Salt Lake City.

The three schools expected to finish in the second tier look as if they may be closer to the top than originally anticipated. Surprising New Mexico shocked Arizona in Tucson this weekend and maybe the dark horse to take the conference. Wyoming did lose at Boise to the Broncos, but the Cowboys are clearly improved. Colorado State still is looking for their initial win after two very close losses to start the campaign, but the Rams appear to be competitive for the intra-conference slate of games.

Air Force also seems to be much improved, and a home conference win over TCU leads the Falcons and their fans to have greater optimism. Alas, the UNLV Runnin' Rebels and San Diego State Aztecs have yet to find their way this season, although UNLV did give a top 5 ranked Wisconsin squad a real good game last weekend in Las Vegas before losing in the final minutes.

With only one intraconference game played thus far in the season's first three weeks, much remains to be seen. Next weekend Air Force is at BYU and Utah at UNLV, games which will provide some greater insights on which teams really are contenders and pretenders for the 2007 Mountain West Conference Football Championship.

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The Background Story of the Republican Economic Crackpots and Idiots Who Have Ruined the US

This is a real good article that explains fairly clearly just what the hell happened to our country these last 27 years and what steps probably need to be taken to somewhat stop the bleeding -- although the wound on this nation will never heel. Corporations and the wealthy must be reined in hard and decisively, and very soon, as our national and personal survivals are completely dependent on these changes.


http://www.tnr.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20070910&s=chait091007

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Illegals: Hillarious Funny Song to Listen To -- And Its the Hard Cold Truth !

I get a real good laugh hearing this song, and the local country station here in Cheyenne is playing it at least four times daily at least. Maybe its politically incorrect to some who have their heads in the sand, but it is also 100 % dead on and reflects the feelings of most American citizens who are utterly disgusted with the Bush Junta and its failure to stop this invasion. On this Myspace page, you may need to fast forward the music player to get to the song, "Illegals".


http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=136035647


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Woeful Pathetic Sight in Miami

Wednesday afternoon, 12 September, the Florida Marlins hosted the Washington Nationals in an afternoon major league baseball game that was largely meaningless and even more so, as this photograph shows. News articles indicated only about 40 people actually attended this game. Granted, it was in Miami and on a hot humid sunny afternoon, but only 4o in attendance ! This does not bode well for MLB in South Florida as the Marlins continue to struggle to get a new stadium deal done in downtown Miami or somewhere in the South Florida metro area.

http://images.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/MDS106091216_800x600.jpg

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College Football Picks, Week Three (13-15 September)

Here are the picks for week three of the '07 College Football Season. You will note there are a lot of very poor matchups which will result in a lot of routs and boring games. (home teams in bold print)

Thursday 13 September

#4 West Virginia (-16 1/2) 34, Maryland 17 ++
Texas Christian (-8) 24, Air Force 17 X+

Friday 14 September

Oklahoma St (-10) 27, Troy 23 X+

Saturday 15 November

#1 Southern Cal (-9 1/2) 29, #14 Nebraska 24 +X
#2 Louisiana St (-40) 55, Middle Tennessee 10 ++
#3 Florida (-7 1/2) 26, #24 Tennessee 17 ++
#5 Oklahoma (-46) 51, Utah St 13 +X
#6 Texas (-17 1/2) 28, Central Florida 20 ++
#7 Wisconsin (-42) 48, The Citadel 13 ++
#8 California (-33 1/2) 52, Louisiana Tech 17 +X
#9 Louisville (-6) 32, Kentucky 29 X+
Washington (+3 1/2) 27, #10 Ohio St 22 UPSET XX
#11 UCLA (-14 1/2) 31, Utah 10 XX
#12 Penn St (-34) 48, Buffalo 9 +X
#13 Rutgers (-58) 67, Norfolk St 0 ++
#15 Georgia Tech (-6 1/2) 27, #19 Boston College 24 X+
#16 Arkansas (+3) 20, Alabama 17 UPSET X+
#17 Virginia Tech (-21) 24, Ohio 13 ++
#18 Texas A&M (-23) 38, Louisiana-Monroe 13 ++
#20 Clemson (-36) 55, Furman 24 ++
#21 Oregon (-16 1/2) 31, Fresno St 27 +X
#22 Hawaii (-17) 35, Nevada-Las Vegas 20 +X
#23 South Carolina (-34) 56, South Carolina St 17 ++
#24 Georgia (-43) 58, Western Carolina 10 +X
Boise St (-12 1/2) 20, Wyoming 16 ++
Arizona (-9 1/2) 33, New Mexico 17 XX
Arizona St (-28) 44, San Diego St 14 ++
Brigham Young (-6 1/2) 27, Tulsa 24 X+
Illinois (-12 1/2) 34, Syracuse 16 ++
North Carolina (-3) 23, Virginia 20 X+
Vanderbilt (-5) 30, Mississippi 26 +X
Iowa (-17 1/2) 41, Iowa St 13 XX
Kansas (-24 1/2) 44, Toledo 22 ++
Wake Forest (-20) 28, Army 7 +X
Michigan (-7 1/2) 31, Notre Dame 27 +X
Pittsburgh (+11) 26, Michigan St 23 UPSET X+
Northwestern (-16 1/2) 36, Duke 21 X+
Texas Tech (-28) 51, Rice 20 ++
New Mexico St (-5) 38, Texas-El Paso 35 ++
Colorado (+4) 31, Florida St 26 UPSET XX
San Jose St (+7 1/2) 23, Stanford 19 UPSET XX
Auburn (-13) 44, Mississippi St 10 XX
East Carolina (+1) 29, Southern Mississippi 27 UPSET XX
Washington St (-25 1/2) 42, Idaho 20 ++

results for this week: 27-17 .614 straight up; 26-18 .591 against the spread; 0-6 on the upsets

Now for the season after three weeks:
96-38 .716 straight up; 78-56 .582 against the spread; 6-21 .222 on the upsets



Last week: 35-11, .761 straight up; 30-16, .652 against the spread; 4-7, .364 on the upsets. For the season: 69-21, .767 straight up; 52-38, .578 against the spread; 6-15, .286 on the upsets.

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NFL Predictions for Week 2, 16-17 September

Here are the predictions for the week two NFL games coming up on Sunday 16 September and Monday 17 September. Last Week: 12-4 straight up; 13-3 v spread.

Sunday, 16 November
StL (-3) v SF: Forty-Niners 27, Rams 23 UPSET
correct correct
NYG (-1) v GB: Packers 24, Giants 21 UPSET
correct correct
Pgh (-10) v Buf: Steelers 26, Bills 14
correct correct
NOrl (-3 1/2) @ TB: Saints 20, Buccaneers 17
wrong correct
Car (-6 1/2) v Htn: Panthers 26, Texans 17
wrong wrong
Cinc (-6 1/2) @ Cle: Bengals 34, Browns 31
wrong correct
Jax (-10) v Atl: Jaguars 24, Falcons 10
correct wrong
Ind (-7) @ Tenn: Titans 33, Colts 31 UPSET
wrong correct
Sea (-3) @ Ariz: Cardinals 20, Seahawks 17 UPSET
correct correct
Det (-3) v Minn: Vikings 26, Lions 22
wrong correct
Dal (-3 1/2) @ Mia: Dolphins 33, Cowboys 30 UPSET
wrong wrong
Balt (-9 1/2) v NYJ: Ravens 27, Jets 10
correct wrong
Chi (-12) v KC: Bears 31, Chiefs 6
correct wrong
Den (-10) v Oak: Broncos 34, Raiders 13
correct wrong
NEng (-3 1/2) v SD: Patriots 27, Chargers 24
correct wrong

Monday, 17 September
Phil (-7) v Wash: Eagles 30, Redskins 27
wrong correct

for Week Two: 9-7 .563 straight up; 9-7 .563 against the spread
for season: 21-11 .656 traight up; 22-10 .688 against the spread

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Thoughtful Sound Plan for Iraq: And Some Very Good News !

This report released today contains some excellent ideas, plans, and strategies for the future of American military forces in Iraq as well as other recommendations.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/08/AR2007090801471.html?hpid=topnews


And it is now down to under 500 days left of the Bush Junta days left in command. Lets hope things do not get much worse in these remaining 16 + months...
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Nebraska US Senator Hegel to Retire; No Presidential Run Expected

One of the few Republicans with the courage to stand up to the incompetence and corruption of the Bush Junta will retire from the US Senate at the completion of his term next year. Chuck Hegel is also expected to rule out any run for the presidency as well.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/08/AR2007090801461.html?nav=hcmodule

Beetles to Wipe Out Pine Trees Across Central Rockies

Within a decade or so, the vast majority of coniferous trees that make up the forests in the Central Rocky Mountains from New Mexico northward through Colorado and into Wyoming will be dead, looking red in color in their needles. There appears nothing that will stop this environmental cataclysm short of about two straight months of nighttime low temperatures around negative 50 degrees to kill the pests. And as we all know, that is not going to happen as the NOAA and the NWS is forecasting the warmest winter in recorded and recent history in the Central and Northern Rockies and across the High Plains.


http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2007/09/09/featured_story/01top_09-09-07.txt


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The Utter Failure of Republican Economics through Reagan, Bush Sr, and Bush Jr.

It is essential to have an understanding of the deep cost that the last three Republican Presidential Adminstrations along with their cronies in Congress have had on and most importantly will have on the future of this nation. The debt these three administrations have amassed will have serious and grave consequences on all citizens, but particularly on those who are but children today. A strong evident decline in the standard of living in the US will occur within the next generation or earlier.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hale-stewart/the-failure-of-republican_b_63520.html


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Summer Ends in SE Wyoming

Today we awoke to daytime temperatures that stayed in the 40s with thick cloudy skies, periodic rain, and an overall gloominess in the air. Tonight snow is expected in areas to the west above 7500' with about 1-3" to fall with limited accumulations. Here in town, snow may mix in with the rain but it is still just a little too warm for any accumulations yet. But that will change in the coming months, maybe weeks. However, warmer weather will occur again in the coming days and we still have a lot of days left with temperatures exceeding 65 degrees in the next two months or so.

College Football Picks, Week 2 (6-8 September)

Here are some picks for the second week of college football played on Thursday 6 September through Saturday 8 September. (home teams in bold print)



Thursday, 6 September

#8 Louisville (-39) 52, Middle Tennessee 28
Oregon St (-3 1/2) 26, Cincinnati 24

Friday, 7 September

Rutgers (-17) 38, Navy 20

Saturday, 8 September

#1 Southern California: idle
#9 Virginia Tech (+12) 20, #2 Louisiana St 17 UPSET
#3 Florida (-28 1/2) 47, Troy 17
#4 West Virginia (-26) 44, Marshall 21
#5 Wisconsin (-27) 52, Nevada-Las Vegas 13
Miami FL (+11) 30, #56 Oklahoma 26 UPSET
#19 Texas Christian (+9) 24, #7 Texas 20 UPSET
#10 California (-16) 39, Colorado St 21
#11 Ohio St (-30) 40, Akron 13
#12 Georgia (-4 1/2) 27, South Carolina 22
South Florida (+8 1/2) 23, #13 Auburn 20 UPSET
Brigham Young (+9) 31, #14 UCLA 27 UPSET
#15 Penn St (-19) 42, Notre Dame 17
#17 Nebraska (-10) 27, Wake Forest 20
#18 Arkansas: idle
#20 Boise St (-3 1/2) 32, Washington 23
#21 Georgia Tech (-38) 54, Samford 6
#22 Hawaii (-30) 56, Louisiana Tech 20
#23 Texas A&M (-17 1/2) 34, Fresno St 33
#24 Tennessee (-11 1/2) 27, Southern Mississippi 24
#25 Boston College (-14 1/2) 37, North Carolina St 16
Wyoming (-25) 57, Utah St 13
Air Force (+7) 31, Utah 27
Washington St (-15) 34, San Diego St 16
New Mexico St (+7) 30, New Mexico 27
Arizona St (-16 1/2) 44, Colorado 27
Kansas St (-21 1/2) 31, San Jose St 20
Northern Iowa (+11) 26, Iowa St 17 UPSET
Baylor (-6) 23, Rice 13
Mississippi (+6 1/2) 33, Missouri 27 UPSET
Clemson (-29) 36, Louisiana-Monroe 16
Oregon (+7) 31, Michigan 24 UPSET
Texas Tech (-25) 38, Texas-El Paso 17
Iowa (-22 1/2) 34, Syracuse 13
Kansas (-28) 61, Southeast Louisiana 20
Arizona (-20) 44, Northern Arizona 13
Oklahoma St (-24 1/2) 41, Florida Atlantic 21
East Carolina (-5) 26, North Carolina 24
Alabama (-6) 24, Vanderbilt 10
Michigan St (-19) 49, Bowling Green 24
Nevada (+10) 30, Northwestern 23 UPSET
Purdue (-36) 42, Eastern Illinois 14
Miami OH (+8 1/2) 23, Minnesota 20 UPSET
Indiana (-even) 33, Western Michigan 20
Illinois (-20) 17, Western Illinois 16

Last Week: 34-10 straight up; 22-22 against the spread; 2-8 Upsets

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Luciano Pavarotti, 1935-2007

Luciano Pavarotti was unquestionably one of the greatest entertainers ever and was gifted with an extraordinary and unmatched voice for opera and singing. His passing is a great loss for all of mankind.


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

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Record and Near Record Heat Across the West in August

The first reports of how hot it was in August across the West and the entire US are just starting to be released. So far, it has been determined Phoenix and Las Vegas had their hottest Augusts ever, and Denver, Albuqueerque, and Cheyenne had their second hottest ever. When more complete and additional information and data is released in the coming weeks, I will try to be on top of it and post here on the blog.


http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/psr/climate/annualMonthlyRcdsPHX.php?wfo=psr


http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/vef/afd.php?sid=vef&pil=pns&pvnum=5


http://www.srh.noaa.gov/abq/climate/Monthlyreports/August/2007/MonSummary4ABQ.php


http://www.crh.noaa.gov/bou/include/showProduct.php?product=summary.txt

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Tuesday 4 September News Articles and Observations

Here are a few news articles from Tuesday 4 September and some brief observations on them.


A. Arctic Ocean to be Ice Free in 20 Years


Recent scientific research indicates what we considered impossible only recently to be now probable: a largely ice free Arctic Ocean and North Pole in the summer months within about 20 years. This development is mind boggling, but the bigger shocking realization is what other giant changes in the climate await us within the next generation that ultimately mean a completely different way of life for mankind everywhere on the planet.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/sep/04/climatechange


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B. A Long Overdue Call for a Legislative Repeal


The Taft-Hartley Act, passed in 1947, has seriously tilted the working field towards employers and corporations. It is long past due having it repealed, and lets hope we have a Congress and President willing to take this step in 2009.


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/04/3600/


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C. Additional Reflections on Labor Day


One day soon, this holiday and its honoring of working people will regain its historical significance again.


http://makethemaccountable.com/index.php/2007/09/03/david-podvin-labor-day/


http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=a_world_without_teacher_unions


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/02/AR2007090200955.html


http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/09/03/labors_failure/


http://www.alternet.org/workplace/61122/

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D. Book Recommendation


http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/Books/article/252778


http://www.amazon.com/dp/0805079831?tag=commondreams-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0805079831&adid=0TRK9CG1YFQAP480JKX0&


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E. Who are the Best Presidential Candidates When it Comes to Conservation and Environmentalism?


This survey done by the League of Conservation Voters provides some insight.


http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/0904-09.htm


http://presidentialprofiles2008.org/


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F. Colonel Paul Hughes, American Hero


And there a lot more people like him serving our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere, making sacrifices and devoting their lives to their nation and fellow citizens.


http://wingsofjustice.com/07/09/woj07036.html


http://www.noendinsightmovie.com/


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G. Travel Rights Restrictions Now In Place For Many


I will not be flying on a commercial airfight anytime soon for one more additional reason.


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H. From the Pages of the Utterly Ridiculous !


This is truly unbelievable and complete nonsense !


http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4024974&GT1=10365


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I. Anti-Gay Zealots Zero In on Four More Closet Gay Republicans in Congress


The allegations even concern one of the Senate leaders, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, whose record is parallel to that of former Idaho Senator Larry Craig.


http://www.pensitoreview.com/2007/09/04/four-more-gop-outings-could-be-in-the-offing/


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J. And the Kids Keep on Coming Back and Winning

The Colorado Rockies fell behind San Francisco tonight 5-1, but rallied with another comeback to win 6-5, scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Colorado has Major League Baseball's best team ERA since the All-Star Break and the young pitchers, particularly the bullpen, are really doing a wonderful job. With the batting, power, and bench, this club is looking very good. Colorado is 72-66, six games over .500 for the first time this season, and four games behind San Diego and Arizona for both the division lead and the wildcard. And Jake Peavy will pitch on three days rest for the Padres against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday which means the Rockies will not have to face him this weekend in their upcoming series. Go Rockies ! Keep the Pennant Run going !!

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K. Probably the Best Ticket for 2008


But it would seem a longshot even if there is some significant development somewhere with one of the frontrunners.


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/04/3597/


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L. An Argument Worth Listening To


http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/60959/


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M. High Speed Train Travel Between London and Paris


It would be wonderful someday to see the same thing here in the US, offering connections across the nation between major metro areas and population centers. One day, I hope to travel personally on this Eurostar train, or at least meet and talk to someone who has.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6977211.stm


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MLB at the Labor Day Pole

We have entered the closing weeks of the 2007 MLB season and most of the postseason slots remain in contention and to be decided.

American League

East: Boston has seen its once double digit over New York shrink to under 5 games a couple of times , but the strength of the Redsox pitching will be enough to hold off the Yankees. Boston's remaining schedule is weak to insure the Redsox will win over 100 games. New York could have enough to claim the wild card spot but both Seattle and Detroit will have a say in that as well. Toronto will finish third with 81 wins or so. Tampa Bay is coming on and looks to pass collapsing Baltimore and finish fourth. The Rays will have around 67 wins and Orioles will barely avoid losing 100 games.

Central: Cleveland has taken control of the division as the Tigers' pitching has faltered in recent weeks. The Indians will win the division although look for a final push by Detroit to try to overcome the Tribe. That push may be enough to get the Motor City Kitties into the postseason as the wildcard though, but I think in the end they will come up short. Minnesota is a lock for third with 82 wins; the young improving Kansas City Royals will end up a solid fourth with around 75 wins; while the shocking collapse by the White Sox only two years after winning a World Series will mercifully end as Chicago may not get to 67 wins for the year.

West: After a tighter than anticipated race with Seattle loosened up in the last week, Anaheim appears to be cruising towards an easy division title. The Angels will try to catch Boston for the best record but will come up short. That means an opening first round series with either New York or Cleveland. Seattle fell into a pit over the last week and lost sight of Anaheim, but the Mariners have a good chance to make the postseason yet as the wildcard. This weeks road trip to both New York and Detroit will be very important in Seattle's quest. Disappointing Oakland will finish third with around 79 wins, and Texas will finish last with about 73-74 wins.

National League

East: The inconsistent Mets look like they will have enought to hold off Philadelphia but New York winning the division is still no sure thing. They have the favorable remaining schedule but the Phillies have shown themselves to be resilient thus far and may yet overcome the Mets. I will say go with the Mets for the division but with little confidence. Even if the Phillies do not overcome New York, they should take the wildcard. Atlanta remains competitive but it looks like third place will be the final position for the Braves with about 83 wins. Washington will outlast Florida for fourth with about 72 wins for the Nationals and about 71 for the Marlins.

Central: Chicago has the most overall favorable schedule and that will be enough for them to hang on and win the division over Milwaukee and St Louis. None of these three teams will have more than about 84 wins, and the Cubs will only win out over the last weekend. At least three, maybe four teams from outside the division will have more victories than the Cubs, Brewers, and Cardinals and yet be looking in from the outside for the postseason. Milwaukee should end up with about 82-83 wins and the Cardinals a couple fewer. Fourth place is hard to call also but I will go with the Cincinnati Reds edging the Pittsburgh Pirates and the disappointing Houston Astros as all three clubs will end up with win totals right around 71 to 74.

West: This is baseball's best division race with four clubs scrambling, scuffling, and fighting the last 27 days to claim the divisional pennant. I am going with San Diego to edge out the Diamondbacks, Rockies, and Dodgers. 87 or 88 wins is what the divisional winner will have, and Arizona, Los Angeles, and Colorado will all have around 84-87 to stay close near the end. With so many important intradivisional games remaining, this looks to be a great race to the end. But that will also mean that Philadelphia or New York will claim the wildcard, as the four teams in West slowly kill each other off for the wildcard slot. San Francisco will wrap up a disappointing season in last place in the West with around 72 wins.

So in review, in the AL I am going with Boston, Cleveland, and Anaheim with New York as the wild card while in the NL I am going with New York, Chicago, and San Diego with Philadelphia as the wild card. Hopefully I am wrong on the wild card in both leagues and Seattle and Colorado claim the spots.

The final 27 days should be compelling and interesting with a lot of must see and must listen games.

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NFL Forecast Week One

Here are the picks for Week One of the 07-08 NFL season. The post will be updated if lines change significantly due to injury or news.

Thursday 6 September
Ind -6 v NOrl: Colts 27, Saints 24 correct wrong

Sunday 9 September
Htn -3 v KC: Texans 30, Chiefs 23
correct correct
Den -3 @ Buf: v Bills 17, Broncos 16
wrong correct
Pgh -4 1/2 @ Cle: Steelers 23, Browns 13
correct correct
Jax -7 v Tenn: Jaguars 20, Titans 16
wrong correct
StL -1 v Car: Rams 30, Panthers 28
wrong wrong
Phil -3 @ GB: Eagles 24, Packers 13
wrong wrong
Minn -3 v Atl: Vikings 23, Falcons 9
correct correct
Wash -3 v Miami: Redskins 16, Dolphins 13
correct correct
NEng -6 1/2 @ NYJ: Patriots 34, Jets 20
correct correct
Sea -6 v TB: Seahawks 23, Buccaneers 16
correct correct
SD -6 v Chi: Chargers 20, Bears 13
correct correct
Oak -2 1/2 v Det: Lions 29, Raiders 23
correct correct
Dal -5 1/2 v NYG: Cowboys 30, Giants 20 c
orrect correct

Monday 10 September
Cinc -2 1/2 v Balt: Bengals 20, Ravens 16
correct correct
SF -3 v Ariz: Forty-Niners 26, Cardinals 24
correct correct

final results:
12-4 .750 ; 13-3 .813

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Sunday 2 September News Articles and Observations

Here are a couple of news articles from Sunday 2 September and some brief observations on them.


A. Quality of Life in Colorado Springs Dives as Criminal Rap Youth Run Amok

It appears a hardcore crackdown is in order to get these young hoods under control. A strict non-tolerance policy by police and citizenry is the first step for the decent and responsible citizens to reclaim their community from these reckless irresponsible rap music listening gang members and cronies who have become increasingly more criminal, dangerous, and violent.


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/03/us/03hiphop.html?_r=1&oref=slogin


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B. If Children Commit Crimes, Should Their Families Be Banished or Exiled From Their Communities or States or Nations ?


Switzerland is considering enacting harsh legislation such as this. Should such legislation be considered and enacted here in the US ? I would say yes. But I would give families three strikes before a mandatory exile or banishment from a state would occur. Where would these individuals go ? To any other state or another country that they would choose to go to. I wonder if some state or even some county may enact legislation like this in the coming years. Increased public pressure on responsible parenting and strict control of out-of-control youth is essential for a safe, productive, and efficient society.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070901/ap_on_re_eu/switzerland_deportation_campaign;_ylt=An0YqJJH7dbd2tRuZPQN3ISs0NUE


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C. Labor Day 2007


This article and the reports linked to it contain a lot of meaningful statistical information on the widespread abuses of Corporate America. I really like and endorse the proposals recommended. I would add one other: No company, corporation, business, or individual is eligible for contracts with or funding from any form of government if any official, executive, manager, or employee recieves any and all total compensation of any kind that exceeds the salary of the President of the United States.


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/01/3558/


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D. More Evidence of Vast Disillusionment, Anger, Frustration by Americans


The bell is tolling for thee, incompetent politicians, particularly all Republicans and many Democrats.


http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/19378.html


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E. This is Quite the Story...


I am already boycotting Circuit City due to their criminal behavior of firing most of their employees earlier this year and offering to give them jobs back only if they work at $7 per hour. This story indicates only further what a bunch of selfish jackasses that Circuit City is. This man will be collecting enormous financial damages from these idiots very soon. Death to the Circuit City Corporation !


http://www.michaelrighi.com/2007/09/01/arrested-at-circuit-city/


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F. Recommended Book to Read


http://www.buzzflash.com/store/reviews/750


http://www.amazon.com/Plot-Seize-White-House-Conspiracy/dp/1602390363/ref=sr_1_1/002-7402828-5064820?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188794240&sr=1-1


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G. Thirty Years Later, There are Not Only Memories-- But Also Much Pain


Most people, yours truly included, enjoy professional and college football. But for the players, there is a dark and painful side that only exacerabates and increases in intensity as young men become middle aged and older men...


http://www.denverpost.com/ci_6781840


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Utah Utes Suffer Two Big Injuries

The Utes lose two very important players in their opening game loss at Oregon State and this may open the door for one of the projected middle of the pack threesome of Wyoming, Colorado State, and New Mexico to move up and finish in the top tier of the conference.


http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2999680


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Friday 31 August News Articles and Observations

Here are some recent news articles from Friday 31 August and some brief observations on them.


A. Survey Finds Widespread Evidence of Bullying in the Workplace

I have personally experienced this in a number of jobs I have had over the years so this news does not surprise me. Legislation needs to be enacted on the federal and state level to address this problem and eliminate it.


http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1353


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B. The End of American Automobile Manufacturing Looms


Like most other manufacturing employment in the nation, it seems inevitable corporations like Ford and General Motors will be employing no employees in their manufacturing operations within the borders of the US within the next decade to 15 years unless American citizens wake up and elect a government that stops cold this ruthless abuse of American citizens by greedy heartless unpatriotic corporations.


http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,2156191,00.html


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C. Close Call for Politicos in Iraq


If the unfortunate would have happened, this may have become one of the biggest news stories of the year, and the political fallout would have been enormous from coast to coast.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/30/AR2007083001697.html

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D. Osama the Elusive Ghost


Bin-laden and his cronies and criminal syndicate are still out there. Will he and his hoods ever be located, captured and brought to justice ? This has the potential for the October Surprise in 2008 by the Bush Junta to keep the GOP in control of the White House and on good ground in Congress.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20430170/site/newsweek/


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E. Another GOP Senator Announces His Retirement


Along with Allard of Colorado and Craig's imminent resignation over the weekend in Idaho, Warner of Virginia's looming retirement after his current term ends on 3 January 2009 now make three open seats for the US Senate in '08 and I expect a few more yet to be announced in the next six to eight months. One could also argue the Barrasso seat in Wyoming is also an open seat as well.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083100986.html



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F. National Football League Announces New Shield Logo Design

Ironically, this may serve to facilitate counterfeiters of NFL merchandise. It is being done by the league to increase sales and revenues of their products and merchandise obviously, so even the non-licensed vendors stand to gain as well.


http://bizoffootball.com/blog/207/08/30/nfl-releases-new-shield-logo-to-debut-in-2008/


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G. As We All Already Knew...


http://consortiumnews.com/2007/082607.html


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H. Bush to Be Arrogant and Hard-Headed on His Pick for New AG


The man and the junta just cannot get it through their thick heads: politics is all about compromise and respectful negotiation. To be considering acting this way to fill a job for just about 16 months is just plain foolish, childish, and irresponsible.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/28/AR2007082801670.html?hpid=moreheadlines

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I. Bush/Cheney Impeachment

I am awaiting the Patraeus Report in mid-September concerning the results of the Iraq Troop Surge before making a final decision on whether to recommend or not recommend impeaching the President and Vice-President on a number of charges, failures, and shortcomings.


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J. Even Soldiers in Iraq Know Who the Sorry Politicians Are


And they are letting them know about it quite blatantly and strongly. Good for the troops sacrificing so much to impliment a failed policy.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/30/AR2007083001848.html?nav=hcmodule


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K. Rare Meteor around 5:30am MDT Saturday 1 September


The rarely seen Aurigid Meteor Shower makes an appearance and the more west one is the better the viewing will be.


http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/08aug_aurigids.htm


L. Biggest Comeback Victory For Colorado Rockies

Colorado came back from being down 3-0 going into the 8th inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 10 inning 7-3 victory over the NL West Leaders. The Rockies left numerous runners on base the first seven innings but showed heart and resilience to pull out the win. It was just last Friday 24 August that they had another great comeback scoring five runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Washington Nationals, 6-5. The win tonight is more impressive as the Diamondbacks are a much better club than the Nationals and the comeback also occured on the road in Phoenix. As September dawns, Colorado is 69-65 and five games out of first place and also the wildcard race. As I surfed and blogged tonight, I went from frustration to elation and joy while watching the game simultaneously.


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270831129


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/standings?date=20070831&type=wild&br=5&year=2007&order=false&st=2


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30 Days of 110 Degrees Heat...with More Still Yet to Come

As I mentioned earlier this week, the inevitable setting of a new record in Phoenix did come to pass on Wednesday 29 August. And on Thursday 30 August, the record was added on to as it hit 113 degrees in the Arizona capital making it the 30th day this year the temperature has met or exceeded 110 degrees. It is likely at least a few more days will cross this threshold before summers end in Central Arizona.


http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0829HeatRecord0829-ON-CP.html


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Death of a Newspaper Imminent

I always enjoyed and appreciated the Albuquerque Tribune over the 35 + years since I first was introduced to the publication (it actually had four pages of comics in the front section back then). I always considered the Tribune to be the much better of the two Albuquerque newspapers (it actually has a Pulitzer Prize Award) as the Journal is stodgy; it represents the old boy network and the local business establishment; is overall a sleepy and provincial paper with very poor coverage of national and local news and particularly sports outside of NM; and always seems not to be an advocate of progressive and aggressive public policy that would address the eternally ongoing social and cultural issues and problems that always have beset the community, region, and state.

I am sad to see the Tribune go but it was inevitable as the days of the afternoon and evening newspaper have gone the way of history and, since it was in a JOA with the Journal, becoming a morning paper was impossible. The afternoon El Paso Tribune and Phoenix Gazette died about a decade ago. I hope to see a few of the Tribune's editorial writers move on to better papers. Stevens is still doing sports commentary after all these years and VB Price is truly an intelligent insightful writer that is a must-read every Saturday. The citizens of Albuquerque and New Mexico are the real losers in this whole development. But print media is slowly dying everywhere and the Denver Post's days are numbered. Many other newspapers will die in the coming years as the internet has made them passe, people under 30 do not read, older loyal readers die off or move, and TV news holds the dominant position in most households for information.


http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/aug/28/trib-goes-sale/


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Consequences of Hayek NeoLiberalism on Working Class

This article does a fine job in explaining the historical background of economic changes particularly on working people and the middle class.


http://www.alternet.org/workplace/61002/?page=1


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Destroying Corporations' Power and Influence In Our Nation

This article hits the nail squarely on the head. In addition, all constitutional liberties and freedoms including those in the Bill of Rights, need to be fully implimented and effective in the workplace for workers and employees to use and take advantage of. It is unbelievably absurd and incredible that the Bill of Rights is not applicable for workers to use in their employment.

People, individuals, human beings -- this is where the pre-eminent power and influence needs to be focused on and from for everything in our nation and society. Business and corporations need to be far behind and beneath the tall shadow of individuals.


http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=1827


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College Football Outlook: Other Conferences

There are six major conferences and five mid-major conferences whose schools start play for the most part this week. Here is a brief forecast on how each team will finish in their conferences.

PACIFIC TEN
(1) Southern California (2) California (3) UCLA (4) Oregon (5) Oregon St
(6) Washington St (7) Arizona (8) Arizona St (9) Washington (10) Stanford

BIG EAST
(1) West Virginia (2) Louisville (3) Rutgers (4) South Florida
(5) Pittsburgh (6) Syracuse (7) Cincinnati (8) Connecticut

BIG TEN
(1) Wisconsin (2) Michigan (3) Ohio St (4) Penn St (5) Purdue (6) Iowa
(7) Michigan St (8) Indiana (9) Northwestern (10) Illinois (11) Minnesota

BIG TWELVE
North: (1) Nebraska (2) Missouri (3) Kansas St (4) Kansas (5) Colorado
(6) Iowa ST
South: (1) Oklahoma (2) Texas (3) Texas A&M (4) Oklahoma St
(5) Texas Tech (6) Baylor

SOUTHEASTERN
East: (1) Florida (2) Georgia (3) Tennessee (4) South Carolina
(5) Vanderbilt (6) Kentucky
West: (1) Louisiana St (2) Auburn (3) Arkansas (4) Alabama
(5) Mississippi St (6) Mississippi

ATLANTIC COAST
Atlantic: (1) Clemson (2) Wake Forest (3) Boston College
(4) Florida St (5) Maryland (6) North Carolina St
Coastal: (1) Virginia Tech (2) Georgia Tech (3) Miami
(4) Virginia (5) North Carolina (6) Duke

WESTERN ATHLETIC
(1) Hawaii (2) Boise St (3) San Jose St (4) Fresno St
(5) Nevada (6) New Mexico St (7) Idaho (8) Louisiana Tech
(9) Utah St

SUN BELT
(1) Troy (2) Middle Tennessee (3) Florida Atlantic (4) Arkansas St
(5) Louisiana-Lafayette (6) Louisiana-Monroe
(7) North Texas (8) Florida International

CONFERENCE USA
East: (1) Southern Mississippi (2) Marshall (3) Central Florida
(4) Alabama-Birmingham (5) East Carolina (6) Memphis
West: (1) Tulsa (2) Houston (3) Texas-El Paso
(4) Southern Methodist (5) Rice (6) Tulane

MID AMERICAN
East: (1) Ohio (2) Miami (3) Kent St (4) Bowling Green
(5) Akron (6) Temple (7) Buffalo
West: (1) Western Michigan (2) Toledo (3) Northern Illinois
(4) Ball St (5) Central Michigan (6) Eastern Michigan

INDEPENDENTS
(1) Navy (2) Notre Dame (3) Army

BIG SKY
(1) Montana (2) Eastern Washington (3) Portland St (4) Weber St
(5) Northern Arizona (6) Montana St (7) Idaho St
(8) Sacramento St (9) Northern Colorado


A bowl forecast is forthcoming.

College Football Outlook: Mountain West

This has been my favorite college sports conference for over 35 years in its present form and its earlier form as the WAC. '07 looks to be much as '06 with three schools fighting it out for the top: TCU, BYU, & Utah. Wyoming and New Mexico will finish also with winning records. CSU will be improved and Air Force is on the rebound. However, San Diego St and UNLV will be in for long seasons. Five bowl games will be played in by MWC teams.

(1) Texas Christian.......8-0...12-0
(2) Brigham Young........6-2....9-3
(3) Utah..........................6-2....8-4
(4) Wyoming..................5-3....8-4
(5) New Mexico.............4-4....7-5
(6) Colorado St..............4-4....6-6
(7) Air Force..................2-6....4-8
(8) San Diego St............1-7....4-8
(9) Nevada-Las Vegas 0-8....2-10


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Remembering the Passing of My Father 26 Years Later

Today, 28 August, marks 26 years since the death of my father, Leonard Joseph Lacey. He was born into a world of difficulty and hardship, and lived his life often in the shadow of tragedy and heartbreak. Yet he accomplished much and lived a full life with many adventures and opportunities. The challenges he faced and struggled to overcome often compelled him to make poor choices in lifestyle habits, many of which were socially acceptable but with health consequences not well known a quarter and a half century ago and more. I would like to think that I learned at least a few lessons from him and took his example and became a better and more responsible healthy individual personally. I never smoked tobacco, used liquor in a substantially smaller quantity, particularly after age 30, stopped drinking coffee in 1996, have tried to eat more fruits and vegetables. and not let stress get to me and keep my circumstances in perspective ( but I am nowhere near perfect).

It would have a great help for me and my siblings and their families to have had him in their lives these last 26 years, but his spirit carries on in many ways that we are not even aware of on a regular basis. He did good in spite of all the obstacles and challenges in his way and his legacy is six offspring with nine grandchildren who are wonderful and beautiful people with years of continued success, achievement, contentment, and happiness ahead. I miss you, Dad, and I love you. I have never been or ever will be the man you were and are.

Great Article To Read

http://towardfreedom.com/home/content/view/1102/1/

Monday 27 August News Articles and Observations

Here are a few recent news articles and some observations on them.


A. Housing Crisis Seriously Deepens

Across the nation, but particularly in Sunbelt suburbs, housing has fallen into the abyss. Demand has all but disappeared, prices are sagging, and supply is at an unimaginable level. Most who try to become first time new owners will be unable to. Corporations like Countrywide seemed to exist for the sole purpose of completely stealing and defrauding everyone they encountered. The ripple effect and consequences are not able to be easily gauged, but a recession is already underway, state and local governments are seeing a decline in various tax revenues, retail will go deep into the tank, and unemployment will rise and those keeping their jobs will see less hours and no pay raises for the foreseeable future. It will be a cold winter in a lot of homes and places this year even as the actual outside temperatures are overall mild and above normal. Over a quarter-century of unmitigated arrogant greed continues to have ruthless cruel consequences.


http://patrick.net/housing/crash.html


http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2154318,00.html


http://timesunion.com/AspStories/storyprint.asp?StoryID=616564


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/business/yourmoney/26country.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/27/3432/


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/27/3433/


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B. Krugman Nails It Head On Again


Greedy Conservatives and money-grubbing Republicans are caught red-handed with their double talk and horse manure logic and sense.


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/27/3439/


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C. Zealots Continue to Destroy Birth Control Options


Its sad and very disturbing to see mindless fools continue to stop safe and proven measures that women use to stop unwanted and accidental pregnancies from occuring.


http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/328993_planbed.html


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D. The Lessons Of Vietnam and Southeast Asia

Obviously George Bush and his junta have no understanding of history and seemingly have read little beyond headlines. Much of US Foreign Policy for many years has largely been in place to foster economic exploitation of nations and regions by plundering corporations and greedy wealthy soulless men who want to be able to do their dirty deeds and immoral acts beyond the reach of American laws and societal protections and controls.


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/26/3417/


http://www.alternet.org/audits/60764/


http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/1261


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E. Groundswell of Youth and Young Americans Disdain, Abandon GOP


This surging movement of these now and future voters away from anything associated with the Republican Party is not unprecedented in history -- the nation witnessed similar occurences in 1932 and 1980. And those two elections years saw staggering and convincing defeats for the incumbant and dominant parties that had been in power- the GOP in '32 and Democrats in 1980. Yes, history does repeat itself in many ways and everywhere one looks it appears like '08 will be another year like '32 and '80 for the party that has had the overall balance of power recently.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/08/27/MNMIRNDUK.DTL


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F. The Unspoken Ultimate Cost on American Soldiers

Although denied by many, it is certain that the widespread use of depleted uranium on military equipment in the Middle East and elsewhere is having a profound and deadly consequence on the men and women who have served their nation. Many if not most will be dead within a decade or so as a result.


http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/198240.php


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G. Return and Revival of the Russian Bear and the Looming World War V


Lost in all the Bush Junta hysteria and fixation on the War on Terrorism is the growing revival and renaissance of Russia as a world power and, in coalition with Communist China, a worthy rival and enemy of the United States as a superpower and shaper of policy worldwide. Expect an international incident to occur in the coming few years such as American military aircraft being shot down with the loss of life of pilots and crew.


http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2896161.ece


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H. Mass Sellout of American Citizens By Corporations

This is but one story of a continually ongoing disaster and immoral injustice being thrust upon average everyday American citizens by Corporations. The only way to end this is to hit them hard in the wallet. Taxes on these corporations and their officials and management must be increased substantially and import levies and duties on those products being manufactured overseas must also increase to make them seriously less competitive with American made goods actually being done so within the US.


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/business/yourmoney/26maytag.html?ei=5087%0A&em=&en=313ba97a83d22ff6&ex=1188360000&pagewanted=all


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I. John Edwards Talks the Talk on the DLC, Corporate Democrats


This is one of the ways Edwards may be able to overcome the status quo economic policy campaigns of Clinton and Obama.


http://www.alternet.org/story/60748/


http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-6876002,00.html


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J. Idaho US Senator Larry Craig Busted for Illegal Faggot Activity


The senior Idaho senator and conservative stalwart literally got caught with his pants down. His hypocritical behavior that completely belies his public record very well may mean the election of a Democrat to the US Senate from, of all places, Idaho. Craig's seat is up for re-election in '08. The US Senate may yet get to 60-40 Democrats after the '08 elections.


http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/8/27/171010/590


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


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K. Current Schedule of Upcoming Primaries and Caucuses


A reference for those who like to be aware of these upcoming events.


http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070827/1a_primaries_calendar27_dom.art.htm


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L. Some Better Things Await Including the End of the Long Terminally Boring Vick Media Frenzy


As August nears end, the best thing that awaits is the coming autumn with its cooler brisk weather and glorious colors in the changing trees and vegetation. Football is starting up and baseball is in its final weeks. We get to wear items of clothing again that have been closeted for months. The annual harvest of crops continues to increase. Annoying and unnecessarily overly long lasting school zones for driving reappear. And this year we can be thankful for the daily endless coverage of the dirtbag murderer and scumbag Michael Vick has all but wrapped up finally. One has to, regrettably, wonder, though: who will be the next celebrity that will be the subject of complete fixation and obsession by most media across the nation at the expense of more important and critical issues and problems ?


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Another Monday, Another Bush Junta Rat Jumps From the Sinking Ship

Last Monday it was the evil treacherous treasonous Rove. Today, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced he is bailing out and escaping. Gonzales did an extremely poor job as Attorney General and is undoubtedly guilty of numerous impeachable offenses and criminal acts. Hopefully at some point in the future justice will be served and he will be spending a good bit of time in a federal penitentary. It is very unfortunate that that this nation continually has to endure and tolerate Attorney General after Attorney General who are supposed to be the nation's top law enforcement officer but are indeed riddled with corruption, improprieties, scandals, and inappropriate acts and decisions that are often illegal and criminal. Look for another White House hack who is unethical and questionable to man the helm at Justice for the remaining 16+ months of this hapless administration. The potential replacement appointee may be so polarizing a choice ( read: Chertoff ) that current Solicitor General Paul Clement may end up serving as interim acting AG for the last 500+ days. The Justice Department has vacancies in its top three positions which is leaving the department adrift and disillusioned.

Gonzales' departure also means the last of the Texas Mafia that was in the Bush Junta has all left for greener pastures, leaving George largely alone and alienated as he meanders through the remaining 16 1/2 months in office. If he was not before, he truly is a lame duck now just marking time... and that may not be such a bad thing... he could after all still launch a war against Iran in the coming weeks and months.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20459457/


http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=226927


http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/index.html


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NFL Predictions 2007-08

NFL Predictions 2007-08

AFC
East: 1-New England 2-New York 3-Buffalo 4-Miami

North: 1-Cincinnati 2-Baltimore 3-Pittsburgh 4-Cleveland

South: 1-Indianapolis 2-Houston 3-Jacksonville 4-Tennessee

West: 1-San Diego 2-Denver 3-Kansas City 4-Oakland

Wild Cards: Baltimore Denver

AFC Title: San Diego over Indianapolis

NFC
East: 1-Philadelphia 2-Washington 3-Dallas 4-New York

North: 1-Chicago 2-Minnesota 3-Green Bay 4-Detroit

South: 1-New Orleans 2-Carolina 3-Tampa Bay 4-Atlanta

West: 1-St Louis 2-Seattle 3-San Francisco 4-Arizona

Wild Cards: Seattle Carolina

NFC Title: New Orleans over Chicago

'08 Super Bowl 42: San Diego over New Orleans

College Football Picks, Week One

Here are the picks for the opening weekend of College Football 2007, Thursday 30 August through Monday 3 September. (home teams in bold print)

Thursday 30 August
#2 Louisiana St (-18) 34, Mississippi St 13
#10 Louisville (-55 1/2) 49, Murray St 9
#16 Rutgers (-32) 47, Buffalo 10
#24 Boise St (-41 1/2) 63, Weber St 16
Oregon St (-7) 31, Utah 27
Nevada Las Vegas (-7) 35, Utah St 13
New Mexico St (-28 1/2) 51, SE Louisiana 20

Friday 31 August
Navy (-21) 32, Temple 17
Syracuse ( +3) 28, Washington 24 UPSET


Saturday 1 September
#1 Southern California (-45) 52, Idaho 9
#3 West Virginia (-24) 39, Western Michigan 14
#4 Texas (-39) 44, Arkansas St 10
#5 Michigan (-19 ) 27. Appalachian St 17
#6 Florida (-41) 58, Western Kentucky 16
#7 Wisconsin (-14 1/2) 23, Washington St 13
#8 Oklahoma (-40 1/2) 37, North Texas 13
#9 Virginia Tech (-24) 34, East Carolina 24
#11 Ohio St (-31) 26, Youngstown St 13
#12 California (-6) 24, #15 Tennessee 20
Oklahoma St (+6 1/2) 27, #13 Georgia 24 UPSET
#14 UCLA (-16 1/2) 29, Stanford 17
#17 Penn St (-38 1/2) 41, Florida Int'l 10
Kansas St (+13 1/2) 23, #18 Auburn 22 UPSET
#20 Nebraska (-19) 26, Nevada 17
#21 Arkansas (-23 1/2) 29, Troy 10
#22 Texas Christian (-20 1/2) 31, Baylor 14
#23 Hawaii (-59 1/2) 67, Northern Colorado 13
#25 Texas A&M (-27) 36, Montana St 6
Colorado St (+3) 27. Colorado 23 (@ Mile High Stadium Denver) UPSET
Wyoming (+4 1/2) 27. Virginia 20 UPSET
Air Force (-21) 30, South Carolina St 20
Georgia Tech (+2 1/2) 29, Notre Dame 21 UPSET
Oregon (-14 1/2) 35, Houston 27
Brigham Young (-5) 22, Arizona 16
San Jose St (+14 1/2) 27, Arizona St 24 UPSET
Purdue (-7) 37, Toledo 34
Iowa (-11 1/2) 20, Northern Illinois 19
Illinois (+5) 29, Missouri 26 (@ St Louis) UPSET
Wake Forest (+6) 27, Boston College 23 UPSET
Alabama-Birmingham (+19 1/2) 26, Michigan St 23 UPSET
New Mexico (-3 1/2) 27, Texas-El Paso 24
Fresno St (-31) 55, Sacramento St 17

Monday 3 September
Texas Tech (- 9 1/2) 38, Southern Methodist 36
Clemson (+3) 27, #19 Florida St 23 UPSET

Phoenix Nears Record of Most 110 Degrees Days

Of all the places in the US, Phoenix is perhaps showing the greatest results of the heat island effect and rising temperatures, largely due to global warming and climate change.


PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
PHOENIX AZ 855 AM MST WED AUG 22 2007

...2007 COULD SET RECORD FOR MOST 110+ DEGREE DAYS AT PHOENIX...

THROUGH AUGUST 21ST...THERE HAVE BEEN 27 DAYS WITH A HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 110 DEGREES OR GREATER AT PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THIS TIES 1989...1985...1974 AND 1936 AS THE 3RD MOST ON RECORD. THE MOST ON RECORD IS 28...WHICH OCCURRED IN 2002 AND 1979

/SEE TABLE 1 BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/.

HOWEVER...SUMMER 2007 IS FAR FROM OVER. THE LATEST OBSERVED 110 DEGREE OR GREATER TEMPERATURE OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 15TH /IN 2000/...MEANING THERE IS NEARLY A MONTH-LONG WINDOW REMAINING WHEN 110+ TEMPERATURES ARE CLIMATOLOGICALLY POSSIBLE.

WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES FORECAST TO REMAIN NEAR 110 DEGREES THROUGH THE END OF THIS WEEK...THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT 2007 WILL SET THE NEW RECORD.

HAVE 110+ DEGREE DAYS BEEN INCREASING OVER THE YEARS?

YES...BASED ON OBSERVED MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES FOR PHOENIX FROM 1896 THROUGH 2007

/SEE TABLE 2 BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/.

POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THIS TREND INCLUDE URBANIZATION AND REGIONAL/GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE.

&& TABLE 1 - TOP 10 YEARS WITH HIGHS OF 110 OR GREATER AT PHOENIX

RANK YEAR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP TOT
1) 2002 0 12 9 6 1 28
1979 0 10 13 2 3 28
3 ) 2007 0 10 12 5* - 27*
1989 1 9 16# 1 0 27
1985 0 10 10 7 0 27
1974 1 18# 6 1 1 27
1936 0 13 13 1 0 27
8) 2003 1 2 15 6 2 26
9 ) 1995 0 2 11 11# 1 25
1981 0 11 6 8 0 25
* THROUGH AUG 21 2007
# INDICATES ALL-TIME MONTHLY RECORD

TABLE 2 - ANNUAL FREQUENCY OF 110+ DEGREE DAYS BY DECADE

1890S 5.3 PER YEAR
1900S 5.2 PER YEAR
1910S 3.8 PER YEAR
1920S 7.7 PER YEAR
1930S 11.8 PER YEAR
1940S 7.2 PER YEAR
1950S 6.7 PER YEAR
1960S 10.3 PER YEAR
1970S 17.0 PER YEAR
1980S 19.0 PER YEAR
1990S 13.6 PER YEAR
2000S 21.9 PER YEAR*
* THROUGH AUG 21 2007

ADDITIONAL GRAPHICS ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE... WWW.WEATHER.GOV/PHOENIX.

William "Wild Bill" Hagy, 1939-2007

Wild Bill Hagy was one of the first ultimate superfans in sports. He was the greatest Baltimore Orioles fan and always participated in meaningful and intense ways while he was attending a ballgame, which was almost always for almost two decades in the 70's and 80's. Baseball, like its brethern basketball and football, now frowns on fan behavior like this in the taj mahal ballparks that have been built in the last 20 years and takes an active role in discouraging and eliminating such overt enthusiastic fan support. Too bad you have to go a college or high school game to be able to experience rabid fans like Bill Hagy. He really helped the Orioles have a greater home field advantage when he was at a game leading and encouraging active and fun fan support.


http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.connolly21aug21,0,555626.column?coll=bal_sports_baseball_util


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


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Eagles' New Single Wonderfully Exceptional

I just got to listen to the new Eagles' single How Long off their new upcoming album Long Road Out of Eden and watched the accompanying video for the first time and I was very impressed and enjoyed it immensely. It is quite excellent and will be greatly appreciated by fans of the band who particularly favor the early music of their career. The song should get a lot of airplay on select radio stations where this song fits into the playlists and demographics the song will appeal to.


http://video.music.yahoo.com/up/music/music/?rn=1301797&vid=46023701&stationId=&curl=http%3A%2F%2Fmusic.yahoo.com%2Fpremieres


http://music.yahoo.com/premieres


http://www.eaglesband.com/#

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


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A Re-Connection With A Friend From the Distant Past Begins

Earlier this year I received an email on my classmates.com personal site I set up. Mark G was an excellent and great friend that I had lost touch with over the last couple of decades. He came upon my information and contacted me. After a few months of not hearing back from him, he got back in contact with me and explained he had suffered the misfortune of the demise of his computer and the subsequent retrieval of lost emails and bookmarks is as always a tedious and time consuming process that results in some items not being addressed or paid attention to immediately. I have had this misfortune myself and have learned to take a few pre-emptive measures to make things slightly easier when a computer dies, but it is always a hassle and then some.

Mark and I worked together from 1979-1981 and shared a lot of fun experiences together; many were typical of young adults of that era and all were not exactly the most responsible and forward thinking actions one should aspire to. But we are all guilty of some youthful indescretions and immature foolishness and it is nothing to regret or look harshly upon in self-reflection. Our friendship and shared activities continued into the 1980s even as he went away to school out of state for a couple of years. However I left NM in 1987 and lost touch with him as I moved around to several places over the years.

One of the great things about the Worldwide Web and the Internet is that it facilitates being able to re-connect with people in ones past that one has lost contact with and fairly easily. It is certainly great to be able to have this wonderful experience of starting to touch base again with someone from ones past.

The Top 100 & 500 Country Songs of All Time

Like any list, there are selections that are subject to debate and where they are placed on the list relative to other selections listed and unlisted. I would have thought there would have been at least three or four more George Strait songs.


http://www.star-telegram.com/music/story/184071.html


http://countrymusic.about.com/library/top500/bltop500i.htm


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More on Eagles New CD, Single

The Eagles released the single, "How Long", from their upcoming album, The Long Road from Eden, today to radio, and a video will be out in the next few days on yahoo.com and CMT. The album and CD is scheduled for release on 31 October. If anyone hears the single or finds the lyrics, let me know.


http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=2648


http://www.livedaily.com/news/12651.html


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


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Guide for Preparation of a Great Tasty Food

This is one of the ten foods one must eat at least once, and preferably many times more, every year, particularly in the summertime. Yeehaw- Bratwurst !


http://www.bratwurstpages.com/brats.html


http://www.kitchenproject.com/german/Bratwurst/stovetop.htm


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This Is One Dry Place !

Amazing Fact: In the last 13 months, Palm Springs, California, has received only .20 inches of precipitation. That's one-fifth of an inch in nearly 400 days. Most of us live in places where we get that in a matter of minutes on a number of occasions several times a year.


http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=sgx


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Warmest August Night Ever for Albuquerque

There have not been a lot of record temperatures set this summer across the Mountain Time Zone for the most part, but most months this year have had above normal temperatures. Summertime lows in Albuquerque now are starting to look like those in Phoenix and Tucson in the first half of the 20th Century, before the heat island effect became entrenched in the Arizona Sonora Desert because of urbanization. Might Albuquerque be getting their own noticeable heat island effect that can be documented ?



RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBUQUERQUE NM
230 PM MDT WED AUG 15 2007.

..A NEW RECORD HIGH-MINIMUM TEMPERATURE SET AT THE ALBUQUERQUEINTERNATIONAL AIRPORT YESTERDAY...

THE LOW OF 74 DEGREES ON TUESDAY AUGUST 14TH SET A NEW RECORD HIGH-MINIMUM TEMPERATURE FOR THE DATE...BREAKING THE OLD RECORD OF 71 DEGREES SET BACK IN 1951. IT ALSO TIED THE EXTREME HIGH MINIMUM FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST...LAST SET ON AUGUST 1ST 1972.


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Thursday 16 August News Headlines and Observations

Here a few news articles from Thursday 16 August and some brief observations on them.


A. A New Scientific Possibility


Maybe the science fictional physics we see in Star Trek is a scientific reality after all.


http://www.qj.net/Scientists-allegedly-break-speed-of-light/pg/49/aid/100073


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B. Local Newspapers Likely to Die Off


Further evidence of the steep decline and inevitable disappearance of most print media. And broadcast news media is not immune to the decline either.


http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070816211426.guamdbxe&show_article=1


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C. Warren Buffet Looks Favorably on Barack Obama


Looks like the Illinois Senator and Democratic Candidate for the presidency has found a wealthy and influential supporter in Buffet.


http://obama.senate.gov/news/051121-obamas_national/


http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7B3CE510DC-CC71-42CA-BFD8-E6E57A324BE2%7D


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D. Universal State Health Insurance on the Horizon for Some


With the incompetence, petty selfish greed, and widespread pandering to insurance corporations by the Bush Junta preventing any kind of national health insurance coverage coming about, look for a number of state legislatures to introduce and enact legislation for coverage for most if not all state residents that meet certain residency and citizenship requirements. Here in the West, the states that might take these steps include California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Colorado. All other Mountain Time Zone and High Plains states will not get to this point of enlightenment anytime soon.


http://www.politicswest.com/6686/conservatives_brace_health_care_push_state_legislatures


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Mayberry Machiavellian Essence of Evil to Exit the White House

Before August ends, the man who is among the most responsible for the predicament our nation is in will be leaving his job as Chief White House Advisor. Karl Rove is the worst unelected official I have ever had to be aware of in my life. He is unethical, sleazy, smarmy, arrogant, immoral, two-faced, and the master of the untruth and spin. He is unquestionably guilty of numerous crimes and his unethical and illegal behaviors and acts have done great harm to many across the planet. George Bush is largely a front man and a brainless unimaginative marionette and Rove was one of the hands up the back of "W" along with Cheney, Rumsfeld, and others. His looming departure guarantees this administration will be even further adrift, mindless, foolish, and impotent during its remaining 500 plus days which will result in greater dangers for all American citizens everywhere and a greater certainty that war will commence with Iran soon. It also means that Cheney will be the power center and making most of the important decisions even more so than he has up to now. Hopefully the next we hear of the eternally deceitful Rove is when he is indicted and convicted of many of the crimes he committed and when he goes to spend many years in a federal penitentary. The news of his looming departure is excellent news for American citizens and others around the planet.


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/14/3160/


http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=222893


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/14/3158/


http://www.progressive.org/mag_wx0813b07


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/14/3171/


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Phil Rizzuto, 1917-2007

Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Rizzuto was the quintessential New York Yankees shortstop and the heart of a team that was incomparably dominant for over a decade. The 1950 AL MVP, "The Scooter" was part of seven world championships and did all the little things that need to get done for teams to be successful. He served in the US Navy for three years (1943-45) during World War II (one of countless many professional athletes to do so--where are these athletes during our current wars ?). After his successful 13 season baseball career ended in 1956, he then went on to be a broadcaster for 40 years with the Yankees on WPIX. This is where I had the fortune to hear him with his distinctive style beginning when I was a boy in 1969 and on occasion through the years until he retired in 1996. His broadcast style was warm and relaxed, he had an unassuming sense of humor, and his use of his classic trademark " Holy Cow ! " made listening to ballgames pleasant and fun.


http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/mlb/article/0,2777,DRMN_23924_5672435,00.html


http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2007-08-14-rizzuto-obit_N.htm


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/sports/baseball/14cnd-rizzuto.html?hp=&pagewanted=all


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


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Concern Grows -- and Optimism Grows

As Monday morning 13 August dawns, it is extremely alarming to see the Boston Redsox with only a lead of 4 games over the surging epitome of all evil, the New York Yankees. A double digit lead at one time has diminished by 70 %. The two clubs meet head to head six more times this season, with three games in Yankee Stadium Tuesday 28 August to Thursday 30 August and the final three regular season meetings at Fenway Park Friday 14 September to Sunday 16 September. Both teams play the majority of their remaining schedule against intradivisonal opponents Baltimore, Toronto, and Tampa Bay. The Redsox also have four home games against Anaheim; two home games against Oakland; four home games against Minnesota; and four road games in Chicago. New York also has three home and four road games versus Detroit; three road games in Anaheim; three home games against Seattle; and three road games in Kansas City. Thus, the schedule is a tossup to consider at this point for the most part, so how the six head to head games may be the determining factor.

On the other side of the spectrum, it is truly exciting to be following a young and exciting Colorado Rockies club in a pennant race. The Rockies went 5-2 on this last homestand against the two best clubs from the NL Central, Milwaukee and Chicago. This week could be the toughest test yet as the team travels to Southern California for three night games against San Diego followed by three games in Los Angeles over the coming weekend with two night games and a Sunday afternoon tilt. The only other of the remaining seven weeks left season that may be a greater challenge will be the finale the last week of September with three games in LA again and the season series finale at home with three against the Arizona Diamondbacks, another young and exciting overachieving team and the current division leader and odds on favorite to take the NL West pennant. If the Rockies continute to play well and stay in the race until the last week of September, this will be a season to remember for sure and among the best in the 15 year history of the club. At 61-56, the remaining 45 games break down to 23 at home and 22 on the road. Realistically, Colorado needs to at least go 16-7 at home over the last 23 at Coors Field and split the remaining road games with 11 wins. 27 more wins will give them 88 for the season and that is a total win number I would gladly take my chances on for winning the divison or at least being the wild card. The Rockies 23 home games are as follows: four with Pittsburgh; three with Washington; three with San Francisco; three with San Diego; three with Florida; four with Los Angeles; and three with Arizona. The remaining 22 road games consist of six with San Diego; six with Los Angeles; three with San Francisco; three with Arizona; and four with Philadelphia. The 14 remaining non-divisional games are critical and I can envision nine or ten wins there. Split the 18 on the road with the four divisional rivals and win 8, 9, or 10 of the remaining 13 home games within the division and things could be very good indeed... Lets hope the pitching staff doe not suffer any further injuries, the bullpen keeps looking great, the defense continues to sparkle for the most part, and the hot hitting the last several weeks continues, and Clint Hurdle continues to push the right buttons and make great decisions.

Ah, the joy of pennant races !... and I did not even touch on the ones going on in the other four divisions ! It keeps me excited and engaged deeply in this 39 year old hobby and pastime of mine.