UConn James

That being a term limit of 1 (as in, one term only, not just successively) for whatever office being held. And a serious decrease in congressional pensions (members of the Congress do not pay into or collect Social Security, and therefore have zero personal motivation to touch the Third Rail of American Politics and actually fix it), health plans, etc. We need to put more democracy into our representative democracy. Being a 30-year lion of the Senate, etc., is exactly how we've arrived at the precipice.

I guess this was just a pre-emptive move to head off a situation like Lieberman was in back in '06. Not only got embarrassed by losing the primary to Lamont, but ended up having to fight a two-front battle. He won by a fairly sizable margin, o' course, but it was pretty messy and, most importantly, took more money. I'm not current on what Specter's popularity numbers are, but I believe they are generally declining, if only slightly. I guess either they were declining among Republicans in such numbers that there was no way he'd win such a two-front battle or he's thinking longer-term and joining what is, at present, the Dem main ship and watching the Republican boat sink. In any case, he's gonna have to be on guard to determine who his real friends are now. Dems would probably like a more party-line candidate and Repubs... well... there's no greater enemy than a former friend. Broader scheme, it's something to be seen what is to become of the GOP. I believe recent polls say that only ~27 percent of registered voters now identify as Repubs. (I think this is about the same percentage of Americans who believe in UFOs.) Reagan's Big Tent collapsed, and I think McCain saw the death knell for his campaign where the Type-II diabetes cat lady stood up and said, "I don't trust Obama. He's a Muslim!" I think this is generally the stereotype of what the party is now --- namely, stupid/crazy Bible-thumpers. This is a party that basically threw out Linc Chaffee, among many other of the saner voices, and now carry Rush Limbaugh and --- in recent weeks --- Darth Cheney as the most visible standard-carriers. True fiscal conservatives have left or maybe never existed in the first place. Warhawks/'nation-builders' have replaced 'strong border' anti-interventionists. Small-gov't big-corporation proponents are getting bushwhacked. They're on the losing side of a number of 'wedge issues' the gap of which will only increase as today's youth grow up. Looking out at the GOP landscape, you don't see much hope for them beyond the Dems f---ing everything up seven ways to Sunday in either the economy or defense. That will happen, o' course --- f--kups by the party in power, rather than good ideas from the party that is not, is what keeps the pendulum swinging. Is this a time (in the next 10, 20, or 30 years) where a viable and competitive alternative party is finally formed or gains popular support?

Obama's TelePrompTer better not be cutting into LOST on Wednesday night, that's all I have to say.... LOST 5.14 "The Variable" - Daniel Faraday-centric episode - (ABC promo copy) The time of reckoning has begun when Daniel Faraday comes clean regarding what he knows about the island. Per the preview shown after the recap show last week, it appears this episode will include --- or be the lead-in to --- the season-opening scene with Faraday at the Orchid construction site. Looks like we'll find out what Faraday's been up to in Ann Arbor (Has he been there from '74-'77 or was that not answered?). Also looks like there's going to be some fleshing out of the 'sides' after Sawyer's story started to fall apart in "Some Like it Hoth." On edit: This is also LOST's milestone 100th episode. (And this is for a 1-hour show, not a 30-min sitcom).

Too bad. Dick Levy wants them ALL! Every last one!

I honestly think Dick is just !@#$ with everybody at this point. Just to see how far he can carry the joke/stereotype.

B/c one dude is representative of the entire movement. 'Joe Schmoe made terroristic threats. Joe Schmoe was at a Tea Party outing. Therefore, ALL Tea Party goers are terrorists.' Your "TBDPPP Mega-Inductive Reasoning Club" T-shirts are on their way. How does this method of presentation help anything? All it accomplishes is to make you look foolish, makes you a hypocrite (intent of sarcasm aimed at Wacka et al. does little for me. I ----ing hate sarcasm. And I'm not alone, by far) and ratchets up the rancor. I realize that it's politics and it's been a free-for-all since I can remember, but it's just gone to a whole new level of incivility in the past 20 years. Such a high level of this petty bickering is going to eat this country up if it lasts for too much longer. "Let me be the change I wish to see." You (among others, mind), on the other hand, seem to enjoy stoking the flames here to see how high they can get. It needs to stop. It needs to get toned down.

Wait for it... wait for it.... Sept 2009: Dick Jauron develops the NFL's first 11-DB defense.

I swear to God, I'm going to take a dump on Dick Jauron's grave.

Having such players also might come in handy for the next coaching regime. Gotta consider how much Russ is hedging his bets for when/if Jauron is canned in the near future. Especially on the defensive side. OL guys typically move around. Nothing new to that. But changing a core defensive scheme is Maybin as a Tampa-2 DE can play OLB in a 3-4. Byrd can/has played any DB spot. Harris could return to S (or #1 backup) in a more traditional 3-4 or 4-3.... "Versatility" might also be a safeguard against having obsolete/the wrong players when the system is changed.

Inside the Denver Broncos war room.... HC Josh McDaniels: "It's the sixth round. Let's see.... Here's a QB named Tom Bra.... I've heard enough! Pick 'im!"

Re: Whitner... What's done is done. Let it go.

I'd be happy with Mitch King - DE - Iowa. Ferentz says he's better than Babineaux or Kampman were.

The trade rumors may have been the FO and coaches trying to light a fire under his butt. Great PR but there needs to be more progress at WR.

Need to see how he comes back from the knee injury. That often takes a toll on lateral movement and quickness. The Harris pick is good insurance if Bowen has lost a step.

But seriously, look for Pat White in their Wildcat formations. That might spell some trouble.

Not a bad pick if he's destined for the Will LB spot. Played some MLB last year b/c of team injuries. Listed at 6'2" - 234. Ellison is 6' - 229.

Found this map of the island in my travels.... Not sure as to its veracity, but it's nice to have some idea of the geography of the thing. In other news, Henry Ian Cusick (who plays Desmond) is being sued for sexual battery/harassment.

It should be nice to go from an OL which was thinking, "I'm here to collect a paycheck" to one that's saying, "I'm here to have fun kicking some a--!" This is what I like about Brad Butler, too.

DeAndre Levy or Jason Williams both look like they'd be a solid Day 2 pickup. OLB depth and both are good STs.... could push Ellison, even. We still have Bowen coming back, but his knee injury has to be taken into account (never good for lateral movement) and guard against if he can't come back from it. Our LBs have tended to miss games, so we need to build some depth here. It'd be nice to have a LB size again to bust some holes on returns, especially given the rules changes disallowing wedges. Hope one is left late in the 4th.

This reeks of Dick Levy. As he's a junior, they probably look at it as insurance for McGee leaving next year, and as a replacement for Roscoe at returning punts, if they can move him today or tomorrow. Typical Dick pick, tho. We have big holes elsewhere and he lusts for DBs. I'm not going to miss him when he's canned after this season (then again, that's what I said last year at this time ).

Last year = no WRs selected in the 1st. This year = 6 so far. Huh.

Ehhh... The Steelers were/are looking for a center.

I think now have Wood, myself!

Colts are getting a good kid here.

Ain't that the truth, tho? I call it The Matador. And both Schoebel and Kelsay do it.