Sunday, January 10, 2010
Better With Age?
Forty years ago on this date, our own JB Doubtless entered the world and it's never been the same place since. Happy birfday brother.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
What Price Freedom?
Yesterday's WSJ had a 2010 book preview that included Jonathan Franzen's forthcoming "Freedom":
"Freedom," due out in September, is a multi-generational epic that follows an idealistic young couple that settles in a rough neighborhood of St. Paul, Minn. Mr. Franzen's editors at Farrar, Straus & Giroux can hardly contain their excitement.
"It's a very powerful, amazing book about the disillusion of marriage. It's about the challenges and costs of personal freedom, and the burdens of it and the opportunities of it. It's about ecology, personal politics and general issues; it's about Iraq," said Jonathan Galassi, Mr. Franzen's editor at Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
As if they weren't going to be treated to enough angst and agony with "the disillusion of marriage," ecology, and personal politics, readers will also be dragged into the quagmire of Franzen's views on Iraq. Hmmm...I wonder how he'll come down on the war in the book? I think I'd get more enjoyment out of reading the phone book.
"Freedom," due out in September, is a multi-generational epic that follows an idealistic young couple that settles in a rough neighborhood of St. Paul, Minn. Mr. Franzen's editors at Farrar, Straus & Giroux can hardly contain their excitement.
"It's a very powerful, amazing book about the disillusion of marriage. It's about the challenges and costs of personal freedom, and the burdens of it and the opportunities of it. It's about ecology, personal politics and general issues; it's about Iraq," said Jonathan Galassi, Mr. Franzen's editor at Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
As if they weren't going to be treated to enough angst and agony with "the disillusion of marriage," ecology, and personal politics, readers will also be dragged into the quagmire of Franzen's views on Iraq. Hmmm...I wonder how he'll come down on the war in the book? I think I'd get more enjoyment out of reading the phone book.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Northern Alliance Radio Network
The Northern Alliance Radio Network is back LIVE on Saturday morning for our first real show of 2010. It all starts at 11AM (central) with John Hinderaker and me running down the week's highlights.
First, we'll talk about the weather. I'll start by asking "cold enough for you, John?" This will be followed by many anecdotes about how difficult it was for us to star our cars, how the dog doesn't dawdle anymore when being let out to urinate, and how John's full length beard is continually plastered with his own mucus.
Oops, sorry that was the script for the first show of 2009. We fired the radio consultant who suggested that topic area, so lots of fresh material is planned. Potentially this will include the Detroit bomber and our first hand reports of enhanced security techniques at the airport. Also resigning Democratic Senators and surging Republic prospects around the country.
Special guest at noon, John Altschuler, executive producer of the Comedy Central show, The Goode Family. This is the latest Mike Judge animated comedy, formerly on ABC. It's found a new home on Comedy Central, broadcasting on Monday nights at 9PM Central. A comedy the likes of which we haven't seen before, a satire on the modern, politically-correct American family.
Kind of sounds like a documentary on Mac-Grove or Highland Park.
John Altschuler formerly was previously a writer/producer on the Mike Judge classic "King of the Hill" as well as co-writer of the Will Ferrell movie "Blades of Glory". A very funny guy and it should be fun discussing the new show.
Plus, Loon of the Week, This Week in Gatekeeping, and much, much more.
Following us at 1 PM, Mitch Berg and Ed Morrissey. Also, don't forget at 9 AM, The King Banaian Show over at our sister station, KYRC (Business 1570).
Remember, The Northern Alliance Radio Network starts Saturday at 11AM Central, locally on AM1280 the Patriot. Streaming LIVE worldwide at the web site. You can join the conversation at 651-289-4488. Don't you dare miss it!
First, we'll talk about the weather. I'll start by asking "cold enough for you, John?" This will be followed by many anecdotes about how difficult it was for us to star our cars, how the dog doesn't dawdle anymore when being let out to urinate, and how John's full length beard is continually plastered with his own mucus.
Oops, sorry that was the script for the first show of 2009. We fired the radio consultant who suggested that topic area, so lots of fresh material is planned. Potentially this will include the Detroit bomber and our first hand reports of enhanced security techniques at the airport. Also resigning Democratic Senators and surging Republic prospects around the country.
Special guest at noon, John Altschuler, executive producer of the Comedy Central show, The Goode Family. This is the latest Mike Judge animated comedy, formerly on ABC. It's found a new home on Comedy Central, broadcasting on Monday nights at 9PM Central. A comedy the likes of which we haven't seen before, a satire on the modern, politically-correct American family.
The Goodes - Gerald, Helen, Ubuntu and Bliss - do their darndest to be the best for society and the planet by doing such things as forcing their dog into veganism, looking down on plastic bags and adopting an African baby who turns out to be white. Who cares if they're hypocritical? At least they're Goode.
Kind of sounds like a documentary on Mac-Grove or Highland Park.
John Altschuler formerly was previously a writer/producer on the Mike Judge classic "King of the Hill" as well as co-writer of the Will Ferrell movie "Blades of Glory". A very funny guy and it should be fun discussing the new show.
Plus, Loon of the Week, This Week in Gatekeeping, and much, much more.
Following us at 1 PM, Mitch Berg and Ed Morrissey. Also, don't forget at 9 AM, The King Banaian Show over at our sister station, KYRC (Business 1570).
Remember, The Northern Alliance Radio Network starts Saturday at 11AM Central, locally on AM1280 the Patriot. Streaming LIVE worldwide at the web site. You can join the conversation at 651-289-4488. Don't you dare miss it!
Beer of the Week (Vol. XXXVII)
This already long winter of our discontent edition of Beer of the Week brought to you as always by Glen Lake Wine & Spirits, where all the spirits are strong, all the displays are good-looking, and the service is above average. By the way, if you stopped by the store looking for Surly Coffee Bender (last week's featured beer) and were disappointed not to find it available, fear not. The Surly distributor hasn't been by of late, but the next time he swings in he will be tasked with ensuring that Coffee Bender is on the shelves.
From the SpongeBob SquarePants episode Not Normal:
TV: Then join me as I take you on a "Journey into Normality."
SpongeBob:(transfixed) Normaaaality.
TV: The life of a normal person is rather simple. (door opens with a fish smiling and dressed professionally for work) Here is your typical average Joe on his way to work. See how he is dressed. (hair is combed neatly) Even his hair is boring. (zoom in on the dimples) Notice his features, nice and smooth without a crater or freckle to be seen.
SpongeBob: (rubs his face) Craters and freckles?
TV: In his office space, Mr. Normal, at least that's what it says on his name tag works at a steady and monotonous pace just as all the other normals do. Take note of how they communicate with each other.
Other Mr. Normal: Hi, how are you?
TV: At the end of the day Mr. Normal packs his things and goes home to merrily start the cycle again in the morning.
SpongeBob: Yeah...
This week's beer is a seasonal product from the Blue Moon Brewing Company (owned by Coors) in Colorado called Full Moon Winter Ale.
Brown bottle. The label has a white background with a massive bluish-white winter moon that dominates a winter setting with flakes in the sky and a snow-covered cabin. The wavy lined graphics are similar to other Blue Moon brand designs.
Beer Style: Abbey Dubbel
Alcohol by Volume: 5.6%
COLOR (0-2): Dark amber, very clear 2
AROMA (0-2): Malty, faint 1
HEAD (0-2): Off-white color, light volume, not much retention 1
TASTE (0-5): Mostly malty, somewhat sweet. Light mouth-feel and thin body. 2
AFTERTASTE (0-2): Thin and wispy 1
OVERALL (0-6): Words like pedestrian, milquetoast, and inoffensive are not ones you want to use when describing a winter beer, but that's exactly what comes to mind with Full Moon Winter Ale. It's not a bad beer mind you (quite drinkable in fact), it's just missing the hearty, full-bodied flavors that you look for in a winter offering. It's very ordinary, average, and normal. You could also say it's hollow in a way. While it looks pretty good on the outside, there's just not much there at its core. So as you prepare to settle in for a wintery Wild Card Weekend, I would suggest you imbibe one of the many other winter beers that stands out from the crowd. 2
TOTAL SCORE (0-19): 9
From the SpongeBob SquarePants episode Not Normal:
TV: Then join me as I take you on a "Journey into Normality."
SpongeBob:(transfixed) Normaaaality.
TV: The life of a normal person is rather simple. (door opens with a fish smiling and dressed professionally for work) Here is your typical average Joe on his way to work. See how he is dressed. (hair is combed neatly) Even his hair is boring. (zoom in on the dimples) Notice his features, nice and smooth without a crater or freckle to be seen.
SpongeBob: (rubs his face) Craters and freckles?
TV: In his office space, Mr. Normal, at least that's what it says on his name tag works at a steady and monotonous pace just as all the other normals do. Take note of how they communicate with each other.
Other Mr. Normal: Hi, how are you?
TV: At the end of the day Mr. Normal packs his things and goes home to merrily start the cycle again in the morning.
SpongeBob: Yeah...
This week's beer is a seasonal product from the Blue Moon Brewing Company (owned by Coors) in Colorado called Full Moon Winter Ale.
Brown bottle. The label has a white background with a massive bluish-white winter moon that dominates a winter setting with flakes in the sky and a snow-covered cabin. The wavy lined graphics are similar to other Blue Moon brand designs.
Beer Style: Abbey Dubbel Alcohol by Volume: 5.6%
COLOR (0-2): Dark amber, very clear 2
AROMA (0-2): Malty, faint 1
HEAD (0-2): Off-white color, light volume, not much retention 1
TASTE (0-5): Mostly malty, somewhat sweet. Light mouth-feel and thin body. 2
AFTERTASTE (0-2): Thin and wispy 1
OVERALL (0-6): Words like pedestrian, milquetoast, and inoffensive are not ones you want to use when describing a winter beer, but that's exactly what comes to mind with Full Moon Winter Ale. It's not a bad beer mind you (quite drinkable in fact), it's just missing the hearty, full-bodied flavors that you look for in a winter offering. It's very ordinary, average, and normal. You could also say it's hollow in a way. While it looks pretty good on the outside, there's just not much there at its core. So as you prepare to settle in for a wintery Wild Card Weekend, I would suggest you imbibe one of the many other winter beers that stands out from the crowd. 2
TOTAL SCORE (0-19): 9
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Cold Comfort
Tonight in Minnesota we head into another dark abyss of below zero temperatures and falling snow. For those of you for whom this already feels like a long and cold winter, I offer this to warm your hearts. From October 15, a word from your government and the monopoly newspaper in town on what you had to look forward to this winter. Headlines:
Warm side? Don't tell me the government weather experts blew the call and our newspaper printed it. Couldn't be. Maybe they meant warm side, like the warm side of Pluto or something.
No! They were wrong. My faith in science and journalism has been shaken. But thanks for reminding us that October was abnormally cold too. I forgot we were working on three monts months of negative global warming now.
Well, there's the problem. As global warming fundamentalists keep shouting at us, weather isn't climate. According to that rule of thumb, the US Climate Prediction Center has no business telling us how warm the winter will be. Climate prediction is all about the hazy, unspecified future. A time line at least some time after the economy shattering legislation has been passed and signed into law.
Nobody can say they blew that one! As a government agency, that's how you do a prediction. The Star Tribune could learn something from this, as this speculation passed-off as news attests:
Hope you didn't already spend that $27, Star Tribune subscribers.
Winter may be on the warm side, NOAA says
Warm side? Don't tell me the government weather experts blew the call and our newspaper printed it. Couldn't be. Maybe they meant warm side, like the warm side of Pluto or something.
If you've had trouble dealing with the abnormally cold October so far, you might like the coming winter better.
No! They were wrong. My faith in science and journalism has been shaken. But thanks for reminding us that October was abnormally cold too. I forgot we were working on three monts months of negative global warming now.
This winter in Minnesota could be warmer than normal, according to a long-range outlook released Thursday by the U.S. Climate Prediction Center.
Well, there's the problem. As global warming fundamentalists keep shouting at us, weather isn't climate. According to that rule of thumb, the US Climate Prediction Center has no business telling us how warm the winter will be. Climate prediction is all about the hazy, unspecified future. A time line at least some time after the economy shattering legislation has been passed and signed into law.
The outlook for the months of December, January and February was noncommittal on rain and snow, though, meaning chances are about the same for anything from a brown Christmas to snowmobile bliss.
Nobody can say they blew that one! As a government agency, that's how you do a prediction. The Star Tribune could learn something from this, as this speculation passed-off as news attests:
High supplies and lower demand -- results of the recession, more aggressive conservation and now a key seasonal weather forecast -- mean that natural gas bills should be 15 percent lower this winter than last, said Becca Virden, spokeswoman for CenterPoint Energy. That means a decline in the average monthly bill from $137 to $110.
Hope you didn't already spend that $27, Star Tribune subscribers.
When reached for comment, officials from the US Coin Flip Weather Prediction Center responded: Ha ha!The Prediction Center began long-range seasonal forecasting in the mid-'90s, meaning the process is "in its infancy," said Deputy Director Mike Halpert. Its temperature forecasts have been accurate more than half the time, and
precipitation forecasts "somewhat less than that. "[University of Minnesota Extension climatologist Mark] Seeley said he's inclined to trust the Prediction Center's outlook. Somewhat.
"If it's between their suggestion and a coin flip, I'll take their suggestion," he said.
Bo Knows Hardball
Everybody else has an online journal, why not Bo, the conservative dog in the White House?
Right now, I'm sitting in the Oval Office with Barry, Axelrod and Chief of Staff and resident kneecapper, Rahm Emanuel, while the three chumps cool their heels in the waiting room. Barry's staring out the window, going JFK on us, trying to figure out which precise upward angle of the chin registers that weary-but-resolute toughness that the press corps laps up. If he sticks that jaw up any higher he's going to drown in a drizzle if you ask me, but the pose does seem to bring a flush to the freshly sculpted cheeks of Andrea Mitchell.
Have I mentioned that I'm a conservative? Yeah, I eat the kibble that the cook dumps in my bowl, but I can take care of myself. I killed a couple of squirrels a few weeks ago, just to prove that I don't need handouts. I still eat the kibble though. This White House is Lib-Central; you don't eat the kibble, they start thinking you're uppity and snip-snip the soft and tender places. No thanks. It's not so bad living here, but if I didn't have a sense of humor, I'd throw myself under the wheels of the vice-presidential limo when Joe Biden's doing donuts in the parking lot.
The three rubes? David Frum, David Brooks and Peggy Noonan, three GOP-approved media yappers. Pathetic. I can't even tell the two Davids apart. Couple of constipated white guys who look like they got beat up a lot in junior high and never forgot it. One of them wrote some sappy article about how proud he was to have a president like Barry because he had a crisp crease in his trousers, but don't ask me which one it was. Real genius. Yeah, next time let's elect Mr. Blackwell president. He's still alive, isn't he? Peggy...she smells good, like mahogany and oranges, but she's confusing. One minute she's in a fugue state about Barry's cool elegance, like he's Fred Astaire with the nuclear football, the next she's all weepy about teenagers who don't know who Ronald Reagan was, and how just yesterday she was talking to an old friend about the delicious chocolate macaroons they served at this little shop on Third Avenue back when Republicans didn't raise their voices, or nominate trailer trash for high office. You get the idea. Just another loony old broad with a column. Maureen Dowd without the desperation.
Bo knows his media yappers well.
Right now, I'm sitting in the Oval Office with Barry, Axelrod and Chief of Staff and resident kneecapper, Rahm Emanuel, while the three chumps cool their heels in the waiting room. Barry's staring out the window, going JFK on us, trying to figure out which precise upward angle of the chin registers that weary-but-resolute toughness that the press corps laps up. If he sticks that jaw up any higher he's going to drown in a drizzle if you ask me, but the pose does seem to bring a flush to the freshly sculpted cheeks of Andrea Mitchell.
Have I mentioned that I'm a conservative? Yeah, I eat the kibble that the cook dumps in my bowl, but I can take care of myself. I killed a couple of squirrels a few weeks ago, just to prove that I don't need handouts. I still eat the kibble though. This White House is Lib-Central; you don't eat the kibble, they start thinking you're uppity and snip-snip the soft and tender places. No thanks. It's not so bad living here, but if I didn't have a sense of humor, I'd throw myself under the wheels of the vice-presidential limo when Joe Biden's doing donuts in the parking lot.
The three rubes? David Frum, David Brooks and Peggy Noonan, three GOP-approved media yappers. Pathetic. I can't even tell the two Davids apart. Couple of constipated white guys who look like they got beat up a lot in junior high and never forgot it. One of them wrote some sappy article about how proud he was to have a president like Barry because he had a crisp crease in his trousers, but don't ask me which one it was. Real genius. Yeah, next time let's elect Mr. Blackwell president. He's still alive, isn't he? Peggy...she smells good, like mahogany and oranges, but she's confusing. One minute she's in a fugue state about Barry's cool elegance, like he's Fred Astaire with the nuclear football, the next she's all weepy about teenagers who don't know who Ronald Reagan was, and how just yesterday she was talking to an old friend about the delicious chocolate macaroons they served at this little shop on Third Avenue back when Republicans didn't raise their voices, or nominate trailer trash for high office. You get the idea. Just another loony old broad with a column. Maureen Dowd without the desperation.
Bo knows his media yappers well.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Going Deep
The next time you hear someone chattering with certainty about "peak oil" just remember that given the constantly changing dynamics of price, cost, supply, demand, and technology in the oil industry, the truth is that no one really knows how much oil there is out there and when we potentially could exhaust the world's supply. Front page article in yesterday's WSJ explained that US oil companies--increasingly limited from exploring for new oil on land due to environmental, political, and stability concerns--are pushing ever deeper in their off-shore exploration:
Falling output from old fields has stoked fears that world-wide production could be nearing its peak. Global oil reserves--a measure of oil that has been found but not yet produced -- fell in 2008 for the first time in a decade, according to BP's annual statistical review. Moreover, there are signs demand could soon catch up to supply. Global oil consumption has risen by 5.4 million barrels a day in the past five years, while production has risen by just 4.8 million barrels a day.
Such fears helped drive a rapid run-up in oil prices to nearly $150 a barrel in July 2008. The global recession cooled demand, driving down prices, although many experts expect prices to rise again when the economy recovers. Already, prices have rebounded to about $80 a barrel, from under $35 in December 2008.
Rising prices have spurred offshore exploration. By 2008, about 8% of global oil production came from deepwater fields.
Yet even the biggest deepwater projects aren't enough to put a dent in global supply problems on their own. The world's largest deepwater platform, BP's Thunder Horse in the Gulf of Mexico, produces 250,000 barrels of oil a day, just 0.3% of global consumption.
"These discoveries are changing the debate," says Ed Morse, chief economist for LCM Commodities, a brokerage firm. What remains unclear, he says, is whether the deepwater projects will ensure that new discoveries continue to meet demand.
Many in the industry argue the new fields have expanded the limits of where the industry can find oil, potentially delaying a decline in global production.
"There are vast unexplored areas in deep water, so tremendous opportunities for growth," says Steven Newman, president of Transocean Ltd., which owns the Clear Leader rig.
Such deepwater exploration and drilling is quite difficult and expensive. And we've no doubt passed the "peak" in easy to extract and cheap oil. But with continued growth in global demand, advances in technology, and oil priced at a point that makes it feasible, there also is no doubt that oil companies will continue to explore for and discover oil in places that haven't previously even been considered in the supply picture in peak oil calculations.
Falling output from old fields has stoked fears that world-wide production could be nearing its peak. Global oil reserves--a measure of oil that has been found but not yet produced -- fell in 2008 for the first time in a decade, according to BP's annual statistical review. Moreover, there are signs demand could soon catch up to supply. Global oil consumption has risen by 5.4 million barrels a day in the past five years, while production has risen by just 4.8 million barrels a day.
Such fears helped drive a rapid run-up in oil prices to nearly $150 a barrel in July 2008. The global recession cooled demand, driving down prices, although many experts expect prices to rise again when the economy recovers. Already, prices have rebounded to about $80 a barrel, from under $35 in December 2008.
Rising prices have spurred offshore exploration. By 2008, about 8% of global oil production came from deepwater fields.
Yet even the biggest deepwater projects aren't enough to put a dent in global supply problems on their own. The world's largest deepwater platform, BP's Thunder Horse in the Gulf of Mexico, produces 250,000 barrels of oil a day, just 0.3% of global consumption.
"These discoveries are changing the debate," says Ed Morse, chief economist for LCM Commodities, a brokerage firm. What remains unclear, he says, is whether the deepwater projects will ensure that new discoveries continue to meet demand.
Many in the industry argue the new fields have expanded the limits of where the industry can find oil, potentially delaying a decline in global production.
"There are vast unexplored areas in deep water, so tremendous opportunities for growth," says Steven Newman, president of Transocean Ltd., which owns the Clear Leader rig.
Such deepwater exploration and drilling is quite difficult and expensive. And we've no doubt passed the "peak" in easy to extract and cheap oil. But with continued growth in global demand, advances in technology, and oil priced at a point that makes it feasible, there also is no doubt that oil companies will continue to explore for and discover oil in places that haven't previously even been considered in the supply picture in peak oil calculations.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Mourning That What Never Was
"The coolest place that never existed."
That's how JB described this picture and I have to say he's spot on.
Nattily-attired, well-groomed gents drinking whiskey and watching hockey (and only hockey) in a classy mid-century bar. It really don't get much cooler than that.
The picture is from a post called Men Who Plan Beyond Tomorrow!, which features a series of 1940s magazine ads from Seagram's seeking to show what the future would hold through the visionary eyes of men willing to wait for their whiskey to properly age. Alas, such a scene as shown above did not come to pass (unless at a undisclosed location in Canada). Who can argue that our world is not poorer without it?
SISYPHUS ADDS: The prognostication here is decidedly mixed. Kudos for predicting future sports bars and flat screen TVs, but thumbs down for failing to anticipate that future hockey goalies will wear masks.
That's how JB described this picture and I have to say he's spot on.
Nattily-attired, well-groomed gents drinking whiskey and watching hockey (and only hockey) in a classy mid-century bar. It really don't get much cooler than that.
The picture is from a post called Men Who Plan Beyond Tomorrow!, which features a series of 1940s magazine ads from Seagram's seeking to show what the future would hold through the visionary eyes of men willing to wait for their whiskey to properly age. Alas, such a scene as shown above did not come to pass (unless at a undisclosed location in Canada). Who can argue that our world is not poorer without it?
SISYPHUS ADDS: The prognostication here is decidedly mixed. Kudos for predicting future sports bars and flat screen TVs, but thumbs down for failing to anticipate that future hockey goalies will wear masks.
Bizarro Bowl
From the Seinfeld episode The Opposite:
George : Hey, I just found twenty dollars! I tell you this, something is happening in my life. I did this opposite thing last night. Up was down, black was white, good was--
Jerry: Bad.
George : Day was--
Elaine : Night.
George : Yes!
Jerry : So you just did the opposite of everything?
George : Yes. And listen to this, listen to this; her uncle works for the Yankees and he's gonna get me a job interview. A front office kind of thing. Assistant to the travelling secretary. A job with the New York Yankees! This has been the dream of my life ever since I was a child, and it's all happening because I'm completely ignoring every urge towards common sense and good judgment I've ever had. This is no longer just some crazy notion. Jerry, this is my religion.
Last week, I speculated that it was possible that both NFC wild card playoff games would be rematches of the last game of the regular season. That has now come to pass and in the AFC there's also a repeat matchup with the Jets again facing the Bengals this weekend (expect this time in Cincinnati). In order to handicap in these unusual circumstances, it's best to throw in-depth analysis to the wind and go with a simple system.
New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals. The Jets crushed the Bengals 37-0 in New York on Sunday. This time around it will be the Bengals pulling out a 20-17 win.
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys. Dallas destroyed Philadelphia 24-0 on Sunday. The Eagles will reverse the outcome this time around and win 20-14.
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals. The Packers played their starters longer and clipped the Cards 33-7 on Sunday. But they might have tipped their hand and when the two meet again in the wild card playoffs, the Cardinals will prevail 27-23.
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots. While there is no repeat of the regular season end for these teams, they did meet in Week 4 at New England with the Patriots winning 27-21. Again, the tables will be turned and the Ravens will advance with a 31-17 triumph.
George : Hey, I just found twenty dollars! I tell you this, something is happening in my life. I did this opposite thing last night. Up was down, black was white, good was--
Jerry: Bad.
George : Day was--
Elaine : Night.
George : Yes!
Jerry : So you just did the opposite of everything?
George : Yes. And listen to this, listen to this; her uncle works for the Yankees and he's gonna get me a job interview. A front office kind of thing. Assistant to the travelling secretary. A job with the New York Yankees! This has been the dream of my life ever since I was a child, and it's all happening because I'm completely ignoring every urge towards common sense and good judgment I've ever had. This is no longer just some crazy notion. Jerry, this is my religion.
Last week, I speculated that it was possible that both NFC wild card playoff games would be rematches of the last game of the regular season. That has now come to pass and in the AFC there's also a repeat matchup with the Jets again facing the Bengals this weekend (expect this time in Cincinnati). In order to handicap in these unusual circumstances, it's best to throw in-depth analysis to the wind and go with a simple system.
New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals. The Jets crushed the Bengals 37-0 in New York on Sunday. This time around it will be the Bengals pulling out a 20-17 win.
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys. Dallas destroyed Philadelphia 24-0 on Sunday. The Eagles will reverse the outcome this time around and win 20-14.
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals. The Packers played their starters longer and clipped the Cards 33-7 on Sunday. But they might have tipped their hand and when the two meet again in the wild card playoffs, the Cardinals will prevail 27-23.
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots. While there is no repeat of the regular season end for these teams, they did meet in Week 4 at New England with the Patriots winning 27-21. Again, the tables will be turned and the Ravens will advance with a 31-17 triumph.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Second Life
Some time ago, I noted the difficult that we were having in trying to find a home for a perfectly good baby crib that we no longer had use for. I'm happy to report that thanks to a tip from the Nihilist in Golf Pants, we now have found a charity that can make use of the crib. Actually they're ready, willing, and able to take the crib, a high chair, and a car seat that we've been wanting to pass on. You wouldn't believe how hard it can be to find places willing to accept such second hand children's items which is really a shame given the need out there.
I'm also happy to report that the organization in question--Southside Life Care Center--has a mission that is very deserving of support:
* To provide tangible solutions to women and children in crisis that are life affirming for the family as a whole.
* To empower our clients with the tools and skills they need through comprehensive programs and services that will ensure their long term success.
* To inspire our clients through our words and actions to live a life that honors themselves and their children.
Their website features a powerful story of the impact that groups like Southside Life Care Center can have. Supporting the organization is a good way to show your commitment to children and families in need and make sure that baby items that you no longer need don't go to waste.
I'm also happy to report that the organization in question--Southside Life Care Center--has a mission that is very deserving of support:
* To provide tangible solutions to women and children in crisis that are life affirming for the family as a whole.
* To empower our clients with the tools and skills they need through comprehensive programs and services that will ensure their long term success.
* To inspire our clients through our words and actions to live a life that honors themselves and their children.
Their website features a powerful story of the impact that groups like Southside Life Care Center can have. Supporting the organization is a good way to show your commitment to children and families in need and make sure that baby items that you no longer need don't go to waste.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Northern Alliance Radio Network
The Northern Alliance Radio Network is back LIVE for the first show 2010. And we start with a very special episode, a look back on the year that was with the 2009 Loon of the Year broadcast. We'll run down all the highlights and lowlights via the magic of digital recording technology. It will culminate in the naming of the Loon of the Year.
Votes for that are still being accepted, right up to broadcast time. There is a clear leader now and we could probably call the winner. But in honor of Al Gore and his 2000 experience, we're keeping open the possibility of miraculous, out of nowhere, highly controversial and suspect comeback.
Both John Hinderaker and I will be present, as always. Also In honor of Al Gore, we're bringing in our old partner "Hanging" Chad Doughty to help us with the review.
The Northern Alliance Radio Network starts at 11AM Central, locally on AM1280 the Patriot. Streaming LIVE worldwide at their web site. You can join the conversation at 651-289-4488. Following us at 1 PM, Mitch Berg and Ed Morrissey. And don't forget at 9 AM King Banaian over at KYRC (Business 1570). Don't you dare miss it.
Votes for that are still being accepted, right up to broadcast time. There is a clear leader now and we could probably call the winner. But in honor of Al Gore and his 2000 experience, we're keeping open the possibility of miraculous, out of nowhere, highly controversial and suspect comeback.
Both John Hinderaker and I will be present, as always. Also In honor of Al Gore, we're bringing in our old partner "Hanging" Chad Doughty to help us with the review.
The Northern Alliance Radio Network starts at 11AM Central, locally on AM1280 the Patriot. Streaming LIVE worldwide at their web site. You can join the conversation at 651-289-4488. Following us at 1 PM, Mitch Berg and Ed Morrissey. And don't forget at 9 AM King Banaian over at KYRC (Business 1570). Don't you dare miss it.
Friday, January 01, 2010
A Dream Too Tired To Come True
A middle-aged hipster, wearing skinny jeans, dark framed glasses, and Chuck Taylors wrote an ode to the great Paul Westerberg in the Star Tribune this week upon his 50th birthday. Unremarkable in every way except for this aside about the era in which Westerberg came to prominence:
The Reagan era had become known as "Morning in America," if you recall, and if ever a dark joke has been told, surely that was it.
Rebels without a clue have been getting away with delivering variations of this line since the Gipper was still in office. I suppose you have to forgive the folks back then for being slaves of ignorance. They couldn't understand how Reagan's policies would affect events in the short, mid, or long term.
But it's been more than 20 years since the man left office, after two landslide victories. We know everything that happened during his terms. We know the full extent of his legacy. Despite all evidence to the contrary, clinging to the belief that his presidency was "a dark joke" or the opposite of "morning in America" is idiotic and just plain pathetic.
It is time to, in the immortal words of Paul Westerberg, shut up.
Or, more charitably, learn something about yourself from this other classic:
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