Summer of Discontent

It's tough to remember a time in recent years when the political tides have turned so quickly.  If the midterm elections were held tomorrow, the GOP would likely take control of the House and would even have an outside shot at taking the Senate, too.    

The turning of fortunes for Obama can largely be linked to just how swiftly and soundly independents have turned against him.  Poll after poll reveal that those who identify with neither party believe the government is spending way too much money, that the economy would be better off today had the stimulus never passed, that the bailouts were a bad idea, and that the healthcare legislation ought to be repealed.  These are people who largely voted for Obama (why?) but whose views are now more in line with those that Republicans have been preaching since his first day in office.

I am not one of those that hate Obama or think he is the anti-Christ.  I am one of those who believe his views on government, on human nature, on individual freedom, and (his lack of views) on the role that a free economy plays in preserving those freedoms are deeply misguided, flawed, and simply dangerous.  You cannot continue to run World War II-sized deficits during peacetime without eventually reaching that tipping point where investors no longer want to buy US treasuries, or where there simply are no longer any investors left to buy US treasuries:  at some point interest rates have to rise to compete with the better rates of return alternative investments are promising, which is what happened under Carter.  

And every dollar spent on a new stimulus project, on new unemployment benefit checks, on new healthcare entitlement spending, must first come from a bondholders' wallet - it is a dollar that he no longer has to spend or invest.  You simply cannot stimulate one sector of the economy without first unstimulating another sector.  I have said that a million times on this blog and I will say it a million more times.         

Regardless of just how big Republican victories are in the Fall, the important question is how Obama will react.  If he is a survivor, he will follow in Clinton's footsteps and triangulate (i.e., cut deals, cut spending, reform entitlements, abandon liberals) to ensure re-election in 2012.  On the other hand, if he is truly committed to what he believes in, he will continue to watch his ratings flounder and Mitt Romney will be the next president.   

It likewise depends on just how idiotic and hypocritical the Republicans will succeed in making themselves look should they return to power.  Certainly wouldn't put it past them.

Freshman Fifteen

I wish President Adams enforced the so called "Fat Reports" for UGA sorority girls during their first year of college life. A lot of lives would've been saved.

8 MORE MONTHS!

See ya'll tonight at Kevin Barry's.

Hometown Celebrity

Has anyone noticed Ashley Norris' rise to celebrity status? He's become the new mascot of http://www.hotels.com/. (Sorry if you don't know who he is. Ashley is the really annoying red head seen at all St. Patrick's Day events in Savannah; especially those at the KofC downtown.)

Congratulations, Ashley!

Humpday Haiku

A blast from the past.
Ring Day party at The Field.
Ryan shaved his head.


Photo courtesey of Matt Muschamp's Facebook album.

Top 5 Tuesday

Back from vacation. This week's Top 5: Items on The Varsity menu
1. Chili Burger
2. Frosted Orange
3. Slaw Dog
4. Onion Rings
5. Chili Dog

British Open 2010 Picks

Please stop by Dawgs and B Street, run by dear friend and former Brigade S-3 Patrick Lowe, to place your picks.  Finally, a European sport that makes sense and is entertaining to watch.     

The 12 Months of Hilliard's: Triple-Threat July

New "Fried Banana Pudding" dessert... one bite, and you're hooked! 4 pc. only $2.99 and the 6 pc. is only $3.99.

 

The New Awesome "Triple Threat"... 3 hot wings, 3 chicken fingers, 3 Wing-Zing nuggets, fries and toast for only $5.99.

And finally...half-price Wing Zings!!  All month long!!

Pelosi: Unemployment Benefits Create Jobs

Hi, my name is Nancy Pelosi. And I am wrong about everything.

Who dat tryin to beat '01?

I'm proud to announce that 28 members of the BC Class of 2001 contributed to this year's Annual Fund, "The Campaign for The 400." This will certainly rank us in the Top 10 of all classes, as high as 4th. We also achieved "Gold Class" status, by at least 30% of our classmates contributing. Here are the 28.
1. Stephen Bruce
2. Rick Crawford
3. Tommy Davis
4. Steven Doan
5. Bobby Feus
6. Will Fleming
7. Randy Gill
8. Mark Haslam
9. Patrick Holland
10. Bo Johnston
11. Chris Lane
12. Brennan Lemieux
13. Stephen Leonard
14. T.C. Madison
15. Bryan McBride
16. David McMillion
17. Pearson Pendergrass
18. Arvind Raman
19. Michael Reardon
20. Patrick Sauers
21. Josh Simmons
22. Ryan Smith
23. Van Tyson
24. Tim Wallace
25. Brent Watts
26. Patrick Whitledge
27. Joe Wood
28. Brooks Zeigler

For Ric(k)

I know we've had our differences recently. I like to watch real sports and you like to watch gay porn. But that doesn't mean we still can't be friends. We are, after all, eternally linked by the bond of the sabre. Anyway, I heard this on the radio this morning and thought you might enjoy it.

Humpday Haiku

Soccer is over.
Wind Rose could move up the list.
Happy July Third!

Top 5 Tuesday

This Week's Top 5: Songs to kick off a road trip to a college football game (in sequential order)

1. Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith
2. Don't Bring Me Down - Electric Light Orchestra
3. Soul to Squeeze - Red Hot Chili Peppers
4. Hard to Handle - Black Crowes
5. Sabotage - Beastie Boys


**UPDATE**
I tried Jimmy John's on Friday, and I stand by my original Top 5 Italian subs.

2010 World Cup

We were not good enough. Plain and simple.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Pabst Gets a New Owner

Well known investor, C. Dean Metropoulos has agreed to terms to purchase Pabst Brewing Company for $250 Million (100 million tallboys). THis is the same guy who reinvigotated brands such as Vlasic, Chef Boyardee and Duncan Hines.

Is our beloved beer in for a facelift?

This is a real commercial

I have seen the original Shake Weight (for women) commercial many times, but I saw this one for the first time this morning. The homoeroticism is so obvious, it's almost funny.

Humpday Haiku

Unbelievable!
An American hero.
Landon Donovan.

Top 5 Tuesday

This Week's Top 5: Bars I went to when I was home from college that I would not want to go to again.

1. Mercury Lounge
2. The Bar Bar
3. Loco's
4. Sorry Charlie's
5. Savannah Blues

Do You Like Free Candy Bars?

Gallup surveyed voters earlier this week asking this question:

Would you favor additional government spending to create jobs and stimulate the economy?

The results are not surprising: 60% of respondents said "yes", including 52% of independents. Who doesn't want more jobs and a stimulated economy?

Gallup is usually credible but I have to chide them for this one, because the question could (and should) have been worded much differently. I'd have probably asked it this way:

Would you favor additional government spending intended to create jobs and stimulate the economy, even if it wouldn't end up doing either?

Maybe the results would have been a little different.

Humpday Haiku

Today is Thursday.
I missed my Humpday deadline.
Only nine more months!

Top 5 Tuesday

This week's Top 5: Italian Subs

1. Baldino's
2. Giorgio's
3. Blimpie
4. Publix
5. Lenny's

Webber is Engaged!!

 Congrats to the blog's favorite non-BC grad.  Schedule of events:

• Bachelor party some time next March in Pulaski, Tennessee.  Not exactly sure why.  Something about a "secret fraternity" he is in being founded there. 
• Rehearsal dinner:  tentative.  Probably either Ryan's Steakhouse or Golden Corral.
• Wedding at the Cathedral.  Coastal Cathedral.
• Reception to follow at the Alee Temple, featuring the Hank Daniels' cover band. 

In all seriousness, we wish Charlie the best of luck and future success as a family man.  We all know he is the hardest-working cracker around, and while he never stepped foot on the plaza or had to wear a JROTC uniform, we still somehow find ways to tolerate him.  We'll never understand why his ancestors felt the need to break away from the one, true, universal Church back in the day, but we'll try to forgive them (even if God won't).  Congratulations, Charles, and remember:  the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours, now and forever.  Whatever the hell that means.  

Vox Populi Video Bonus

Memorial Day..

Vox Populi Gems of the Week

"SCAD had a concert recently and people had dogs there and one almost bit me. Concerts are for the public, not dogs. Someone can get bit."

"It is a pure case of age discrimination if Russ, Uga's 5-year-old half-brother and temporary mascot for UGA, is not chosen to be the official mascot. He is proven to be fit and ready to perform all Bulldog duties."

"We really need fast-food restaurants and a Carey Hilliard's in Richmond Hill."

"Go ahead and laugh at our Obama bumper stickers. At least our guy is still in office."

"When did it become standard practice to not give napkins for your fast food meal at the drive through window? When did we have to start asking? Go figure."

"At Johnny Mercer and Penn Waller Road, they 'paved paradise and put up a parking lot.' Those people tried to save the trees a year and a half ago."

"The Richmond Hill High School graduation was the worst I've ever been to due to the guests in the bleachers. The yelling and hooting sounds were undignified and a poor reflection of the entire program."

The Seven Wonders of the Post-Modern World

1.  Skidaway Road, est. 1960.  The original, but unlike most originals, not the best.  Service is generally slow but what more do you expect when Atom Smashers and Savannah State grads (Johnson is the better school, by the way) are too busy snorting drugs instead of trying to remember if you wanted cole slaw or extra fries?

2.  Waters Ave., est. 1968:  The one and only.  Yea I know, there are 7 locations total, but there is only one Waters Avenue.  The classic post-game celebration destination for thousands of BC fans over the last 42 years.  A hop, skip, and jump away from Mayfair, Kings Way, and Memorial Stadium.  The quickest and best service in America, hands down.  And probably the best tea, too.     

3.  Highway 80, est. 1972:  I used to go here a pretty good bit the summer after freshman year of college while working at Samson Industrial.  Lunchtime crowd features all different faces from blue-collar Savannah.  You will find hard hats, ear plugs, and Skoal containers resting next to plates of barbecue full and hush puppies.    

4.  Abercorn Extension, est. 1976:  The largest location.  This was the site of the steak dinner the Athletic Association used to put on for the football players the night before the BC-Savannah High game.  This  tradition was unfortunately discontinued in 1998 when those in charge felt it would make too much sense to keep something that everyone liked in place. 

5.  Highway 21, est. 1995: Always get this one mixed up with the one on Highway 80.  So whatever I said about that one applies to this one too. 

6.  Pooler, est. 2004:  Nestled in the heart of Raider country, you will find many patrons with camo hats and long sideburns thumbing through passages of their King James Bibles in between bites of hamburger steak on Friday nights during Lent.  

7.  Statesboro!! est. 2009!!:  It looks like they even hired Porter to work there!! 

The Twelve Months of Hilliard's: June

Ocean-fresh flounder and two sides for only $ 9.99.  355-2468.  Or #1 on my speed dial and I don't even live in Savannah.

Breaking News on Seawright Drive

Benedictine accepts invitation to WAC

SAVANNAH - Sources close to Benedictine Military School have announced that an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) has been offered and accepted. With its footprint now stretching from Honalulu to Savannah, the WAC can claim the title of the nation's first "coast-to-coast" athletic conference. Asked to comment on the WAC's expansion all the way to the east coast, WAC commissioner Karl Benson replied, "Why the hell not? We already have Louisiana Tech." The addition of the Cadets also adds the #97 TV market, allowing the conference to negotiate a new television contract with FOX, worth an estimated ONE MILLION DOLLARS!

Humpday Haiku

Wooden was great man.
Some say the best coach ever.
Not as good as Carl.

Top 5 Tuesday

Here is another attempt at a weekly post series.

This week's Top 5: Tybee Bars

1. Benny's
2. Doc's
3. Bernie's/Wind Rose (essentially the same place)
4. Hucapoo's
5. The (Fifth) Quarter

Another Fool on Capitol Hill

The Beatles are my favorite band. But this doesn't change the fact that Paul McCartney smoked a lot of pot in the 60's and has no idea what he's talking about outside of music. Over the weekend, after receiving some needless award from the president, he remarked that "after eight years, it's good to finally have a president who knows what a library is."

Nevermind the fact that George W. Bush was married to a librarian. Or that he spent more, in both inflationary and real terms, on libraries than any president in history.

I know a lot of our readers don't follow politics and don't understand why people like me even bother.  And it's in moments like these I think those people actually have a point: because the dialogue becomes so convoluted and devoid of facts/history/etc. that it's generally not worth following.

I mean, the main reason I didn't like Bush is because he did something that McCartney is falsely attacking him for not even doing.  It would be like bashing the writers of Lost for trying to answer too many questions in the season finale.  It's so off-base and unfounded yet it is the general perception and dialogue that plagues and enslaves people into the left vs. right debate in this country.

There's a reason my favorite McCartney song is "Think For Yourself."  Oh wait, that one was by George.  Zing.

Sack Tapping

They should post this story in the hallways at BC. It was always one of my greatest fears walking down the hallway. That, and being seen with Pat Holland.

From: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/health/Teenager-Has-Testicle-Amputated-After-Tapping-Game_37231261?obref=obinsite

A Minnesota teenager had to have his testicle amputated after being punched in the groin by a classmate, KARE11.com reported Friday.

David Gibbons, 14, was changing classes in his Crosby, Minn. high school when he was attacked by another student playing a game called “sack tapping.”

David’s mother, Christy Gibbons, said it wasn’t until hours later that they realized something was wrong.

"One o'clock in the morning he woke me up and told me he was in excruciating pain," she said.

David was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Brainerd, Minn. where surgeons removed his right testicle.

And David is not the only student who has suffered the consequences of the “sack tapping” game.

"It's just gotten way out of control," said Dr. Scott Wheeler, a urologist in Brainerd, Minn. who says he performs three to four surgeries a year on boys with ruptured testicles and other complications as a result of “sack tapping.”

"All parents, you need to have this talk with your kids not to do it. It's lost its humor. It's not a game anymore. People get hurt," he added.

Humpday Haiku

Summer is now here.
That means four-day weeks for me.
Humpday now Tuesday.

Politics Update

- Gallup shows the president's job approval at 46%, while 47% disapprove. 

- The oil spill will hurt Obama politically even though he had nothing do with it.  The same way Bush had nothing to do with Katrina.

- Rand Paul is my favorite politician right now.  Marco Rubio is my second favorite.  Unlike Arlen Specter or Charlie Crist, both have clear convictions, know how to articulate them, and are generally not afraid to do so.  And people are listening.     

- Let's be honest: the economy is improving.  This will likely help the president's numbers heading into the fall a little, but lots of folks are still going to be fed up with the debt, the overspending, the bailouts, and the unprecedented expansion of government's power and size.  We are going the way of Greece and there are consequences when you continue to try to spend your way into prosperity with money you don't even have.   

- McCain would have been just as bad a president as Obama.  I am happy he lost because his victory would have further blurred the distinction between liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican.  Whether it's justified yet or not, people are increasingly starting to favor the GOP again because of the consistency of their message.  McCain would have immediately killed any chance of this happening and would have been an utter disaster as president.              

Au Revoir, Mrs. Youngblood

Thank you for 32 years of service.

Humpday Haiku

Twelve, fourteen, sixteen?
Big 10 wants bigger footprint.
Will lose Midwest feel.

What do you think the Big 10 will do? How will that affect the other conferences?

Third Thursday

Rick's Victory

The pictures don't even do justice and that's probably a good thing since this is a PG-13 blog.  Those who were there know what I'm talking about because these two were all over each other.  I think the Atlanta police department could have arrested the girl for some form of harassment or sexual battery because she damn near violated Rick for a good hour or so at East Andrews.

Not sure what went down after these two climbed in a taxi and headed home but the scene in Buckhead Saturday Night was definitely one for the ages.

10 MORE MONTHS!

Fellowship tonight at Kevin Barry's, as always. Although, I don't think anyone made it out last month. JJH4 seems to be the glue that holds this thing together and he is back in town, so, I hope to see everyone tonight.

Also, BMBS officially supports the re-election of George Schwarz as Adjutant of the St. Patrick's Day Parade. We will be passing the hat at KB's tonight for donations to his campaign.

Au Revoir Region 2-AA

Basketball: Reg. Season Region Champs; State Sweet 16
Cross Country: Region Champs, 5th in State
Golf: Region Champs, State Runner-Up
Lacrosse: SCILL State Runner-Up
Soccer: Region Champs, State Elite 8
Swimming: Region Champs, State Runner-Up
Tennis: Region Champs, State Elite 8
Wrestling: Region Champs, 6th in State

2nd in State Directors Cup

10-6. Love you. Got to go. Sorry Schiv.

Campaign Season

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116859068347812

Both of these sound fun. Who's going?

Bingo & Back to the 80s Night to benefit the Vic Mell/Jim Walsh Foundation
Saturday, May 15th at the Knights of Columbus #631
Bingo starts at 6:30, 80s night starts at 8:00
The money raised by the Vic Mell/Jim Walsh Foundation is used to support Benedictine students.

Third Thursday Happy Hour
Sponsored by the Benedictine Alumni Association
Thursday, May 20th from 5-7 PM
Loco's Grill & Pub Southside on White Bluff Road, just past Oglethorpe Mall
Come enjoy some cheap drinks and help your fellow alumni recall and embellish old BC stories!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Confessions of a Trumpet Player

I still feel really guilty about playing hooky to avoid the humiliation of jazz band's first performance freshman year. Sergeant Anderson deserved better. Had I only known I'd still catch just as much hell on the second performance anyway.

Tough Break, Man. Now Everyone Knows.

Oh man. I literally LOL'ed on this one.

Styrafoam Cup Award

On the way to work this morning, I decided that I was going to give out an award to the senior that I like the most. I named it the Styrafoam Cup Award because (a) I had an empty styrafoam cup on my desk and (b) the styrafoam cup is somewhat of an inside joke among BC alumni.

The winner of the 2010 Styrafoam Cup Award is Joseph Fender.



Also, someone drove a go-cart to school this morning.


Only at Benedictine...

A Reponse to Snuffy

Snuffy from Wilmington Island, GA writes:  What would make you more inclined to donate to (Benedictine Military School)? Give me some constructive criticism that I can pass along to our Advancement Office.

Snuffy, I realize you cannot be all things to all people, and that the same goes for BC.  We aren't living in a perfect world and I am only one person, so my demands will seem unreasonable and may not be shared by many.  But I would be far more likely to donate (and we are talking in the thousands, not hundreds) if the donation-seekers were to spell out clearly-written and clearly-definable goals for the school so that we have something to get behind, become invested in, and feel good about when things go right.  So here would be my list of goals:

1.  Move back to 5A/play Savannah schools in sports.  I realize this has already happened but I felt like listing it because it was a major accomplishment that cost nothing, will yield plenty of dividends during the next few seasons, and can give us some momentum toward the accomplishment of the next few agenda items...  

2.  Pledge that next year's tuition increase will not rise above inflation (3-4%).  Make whatever cuts are necessary to ensure this happens.  Easier said than done, right?  I don't know.  Any other reputable business lays off people when revenue drops.  I'm just not sure that has happened at ol' Seawright Drive.  I certainly want Snuffy to keep his job though, so let's ensure he stays or gets promoted.  Just make sure we don't have teachers sitting around teaching classes of 5-10 kids in them because that is unjustified.

3.  Pledge to reduce the gap between what it costs to educate a BC student and what the average BC student/family pays for in tuition by 20% by next year.  Or just give the alumni the assurance that something is being done to restrain/reduce this ever-widening gap.  Capital campaigns and scholarships for the truly needy are certainly justified but donations should not be used to subsidize the broad swath of middle class kids that attend the school.  Reduce the price tag across the board and make all but the bottom 15% of income-earning parents of students pay it.

4.  Communicate unequivocally and emphatically that the JROTC program is never going away.  Father Frank does this in his talks at alumni meetings, so it just needs to be written down and enunciated to the alumni base at large, some of whom may have fears that it's not staying given there was a motion some years back to do away with it.  Just to be clear, if they ever did away with military I would never donate another nickel to BC.  Just sayin'.

5.  Bring the donkey back at the football games next season.  Why not?  

6.  Update everyone on how successful the administration has been in achieving the above agenda items one year from now.  Simple enough.

I know you're probably thinking, "Pat, we're already doing some or most of these things."  Great, then communicate it to us!  And I don't mean you personally, because it's not your responsibility - you are the admissions guy and are already doing a bang-up job.  But just have the administration give me/us/whoever else agrees with me a few agenda items we can get behind so that we can feel truly pumped up about and invested in an outcome that can be measured.  Talk about them in the Banner, the Cadence, the Guidon, and all those other little spontaneous, randomly-created .pdf's that Pam girl sends out when she feels like it.  

I never donate money at church because I usually have no idea where that money is going or for what purpose.  And I don't feel a shred of guilt because of it either.  But I will always buy Warren Buffet's stock because he has a clear vision and every quarter he lays out 4-5 challenging but acheivable goals for where his company is going and where he wants it to be 3-5 years from now.  BC should be no different!!

C/LTC Holland, '01

Halfway There...

The first week in May marks the halfway point in the football off-season. August practices can't get here soon enough. Hopefully the Braves can keep turning it around to give me something to pay attention to until then. How they are only 3.5 games back right now is beyond me.

PRESIDENT OBAMA:

"Now, what we’re doing, I want to be clear, we’re not trying to push financial reform because we begrudge success that's fairly earned. I mean, I do think at a certain point you've made enough money."

What does the Messiah mean by this encrypted message?
Will companies be arbitrarily judged by the government has having earned enough money?

Put your money where your mouth is!

Fellow Cadets,

There are only two months left in the 2009-10 Annual Fund Campaign, aka "The Campaign for The 400." To my knowledge (and I have very good sources), only a few of the BMBS, OIA, PPB, OITO bloggers have contributed. We all like to talk the talk. Now it is time to walk the walk. Put your money where your mouth is. If you think BC is the best high school that a young man can attend, then make a contribution to perpetuate that legacy.

To make it easy for you, BC has made it possible to donate online. Here is the link: BC Online Giving.

The school needs your help now, more than ever. NO EXCUSES!

For Ol' BC,
CDT/COL Fleming, LET IV, RET

25 Years of Distinction...Only at Benedictine

2010 marks the 25th consecutive year that the Benedictine Corps of Cadets has attained the status of Honor Unit With Distinction, a designation given only to the top 20% of JROTC units in the nation. This impressive streak began in 1986, when LTC Owens '61 was given the reigns to a JROTC program that was on the verge of being cut from the school's budget.

To celebrate this achievemnet, the JROTC cadre decided to order streamers for each year the Corps of Cadets earned the Gold Star. Actually, to save money, three years were placed on each streamer. This past Monday, an informal ceremony was held to place the streamers on the unit colors. As each year was named, the Commander for that year was also named. As the best Brigade Commander during the last 25 years the only Brigade Commander that currently works at the school, I had the privilege of decorating the flag with the streamer representing the Classes of 2001, 2002 and 2003, and Commanders Butler/Roche and Schwarz.

I felt a tremendous amount of pride that day, not because of my personal achievement, but because of being a part of something special. Only at Benedictine!

Thursdays with Connolly

The way this works is this: I visit Connolly's facebook page, close my eyes, and then cut/paste a random sliver of posts from his wall. This week's result:

I think he's for real....

Weekend Agenda

Above:  The Dukes of Bourbon

- Twilight Friday night.  Prediction:  Ryan won't be able to go downtown because of "allergies" or because he "just wants to take it easy" and will decide to instead watch 7 straight hours of movies from the early 90's. 

- 4-hour drive down GA 15 to Savannah Saturday morning.  Haven't made this picturesque journey in quite a while so I'm looking forward to it.  A stop at Dairy Lane or Bojangles is always a must.  Nothing better than rolling through middle Georgia in the springtime with windows rolled down (exception: Sparta) and beach music blasting.         

- Bruce's wedding Saturday night.   Prediction:  I will not be able to understand anything half the people at the reception are saying.  Biggest congregation of SJS fast-talkers since Myrtle Beach 2003.

One Month Later...

Saturday is the 17th of April, and that means another night at Kevin Barry's. Tax season is over, so you know Leonard will be there. I will be there too. Who else is going to make it?

RIP Father John

I just learned that Father John passed away this morning at the abbey in Latrobe. Our younger readers probably don't know Father John Murtha, who was President of BC from 1996-99. The Class of '01 had Father John for two years and Father Jude for two years. You always knew Father John was around, because you could hear him cough about once every minute.

Having only been at BC for three years, Father John seemed to "get it." I remember during my sophomore year, when he called a special meeting with our class after lunch because only 10-or-so sophomores had stayed with football from freshmen year. I remember when we got a day off for beating #4-ranked Bradwell in '97 and getting a half-day for only losing to Northside by 18 points in '98.

I think Father John's understanding of BC is best summed up by a story Chris "Killer" Koncul '98 told me once. Chris got his nickname as a junior, from an incident at the '97 region quarterfinal basketball game. Other than '10 and '03, that was the last year that the Cadets challenged for a state playoff berth. BC lost to Statesboro in OT (it may have even been 2OT), ending their season. The game was played at Jenkins and the Stateboro players were allegedly taunting the BC students after the game. Killer didn't like that and landed a right cross on one of the Stateboro players. He was immediately arrested by the security at the game. The follwoing week, Chris had to pay a visit to Father John's office and meet with the administration about his actions. His butt was chewed pretty severely by all present, including Father John. After the meeting Father John excused Miss Burke and Coach Cannon, but kept Chris in his office. After Burke and Cannon had left the office, he asked Chris, "Did you get a good shot in on him?"

Double Down Review

Yesterday, after work, I swung by the KFC on Waters Ave. to try out the much-hyped Double Down sandwich. On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest, I give it a 4. The fried chicken breasts were very good and there was plenty of cheese. However, it could have used more bacon and a little more special sauce. Has anyone else tried it yet?

Georgia Sports Weekend 2010

Really glad basketball is over. Especially after I lost $110 on Duke (thanks, Tim).  That means it's time for $1.25 pimento cheese sandwiches, 50 yard-line club-level seats at Sanford, and sorority girls at Turner Field.  Yea, I know it's gay to talk about seasons, but this is without question the best time of the year.    

Democracy on the Rise, Liberty in Retreat

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/taxes/2010-04-07-income-taxes_N.htm

Double Down debuts this weekend!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36179954/ns/business-consumer_news/?gt1=43001

Atlanta Braves Over/Under

Some over/unders for YOUR 2010 Atlanta Braves. The season starts Monday, so you have all weekend to pick. We can revisit after the season. I'm sure Chris will pick the over in all categories.

We'll start with pitchers:

Derek Lowe - 13.5 wins
Tim Hudson - 14.5 wins
Tommy Hanson - 15 wins
Jair Jurrjens - 16.5 wins
Billy Wagner - 29 saves

Hitters:

Troy Glaus - 21 home runs
Brian McCann - 20.5 home runs
Chipper Jones - 18.5 home runs
- Chipper - .290 batting average
- Chipper - 130 games played
Jason Heyward - 18 home runs
- Heyward - .270 batting average

Atlanta Braves 2010 Wins - 86.5
Braves end of season games behind Phillies - 4.5 back

A Great Read

George Will on our government's previously-mentioned and irreversible dependency agenda.

Big Announcement

Apparently this blog's patron saint, Rick Schwarz, has a very big announcement to make tonight at the bar.  I do not know what the announcement is yet but I will be sure to keep ya'll posted.  That is all for now.  Good night and good luck. 

"Landmark" Legislation

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." - Jefferson

I really don't have time to write a lot on this like in the old days, but suffice it to say that Congress has just passed a 2,500-page monstrosity that seriously erodes our freedoms, creates an entire generation of new government dependents, explodes an already-busted federal budget, all the while doing absolutely nothing to actually bring down health care costs.  Premiums will continue to soar because more people will have more employer-based insurance (which is the root of the problem to begin with).

But let's look on the bright side:  now more taxpayers will be even more responsible for subsidizing those that can't afford to buy coverage.  Employers will be punished and fined unless they give their workers the very form of insurance that causes health care costs to skyrocket out of control in the first place.  And finally, those cavalier rapscallions that choose not to buy insurance go precisely where they belong:  directly to jail!  Now that's truly the America I know and love!  

This is because the philosophy behind Democratic policy-making over the last 70+ years has been simple: create more Democrats. And the best way to do this is to make people more dependent on government than ever so that, come November, they will have no choice but to pull the lever with the "D" next to it. In that cause they have certainly succeeded: more people, both poor and middle-class, are now dependent on Washington than at any time in history. The portion of workers that actually pay income tax today is the smallest on record, while the portion of wage-earners that pay none has nearly reached a majority.  Meanwhile, the percentage of voters that benefit from social security, Medicare, Medicaid, S-Chip, federal education grants, FHA loans, and a bazillion other needless programs is easily the largest number we've ever seen.  Wonder who all these folks will choose come election time?  The party that pledges to maintain and expand these handouts or the one that wants to take them away? 

The good news is that some people are finally waking up:  according to a CNN poll, 59% of registered voters oppose the bill passed last night.  All I know is that if I'm a Republican running this fall, this would be my 5-point platform:

1.  Repeal of the health care bill
2.  A balanced budget amendment
3.  Term limits
4.  Allow workers under 55 to opt out of Social Security and Medicare
5.  Allow workers to opt out of the tax code and instead pay a 15% or 25% tax rate with no deductions.

1 MORE DAY!

363 days down; 1 more to go!
Come down to the Night Before Party at the KofC tonight from 7:00-10:00.
The Post-Parade party will be at the Boom-Boom Room in the Hilton. Time and room number are TBD.
Everyone have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day.
God Bless America!
Erin Go Bragh!

1.5 MORE DAYS!

Meet George Schwarz's son.

No Fun Zone

Are there any cute new rules the city has imposed this year?

2 MORE DAYS!

Meet George Schwarz