If you haven't seen any Braves games lately, there's a group of about 6 guys and girls who dress up in hot dog suits and hold up a sign declaring themselves "Francoeur's Franks." They go nuts every time he does something.
Though I didn't come up with these, I figured it was worth sharing. I found these suggestions on a message board:
Chipper's Strippers
Orr's Whores
Also, thanks to the message board, I now have realized that every single time the camera cuts to the bullpen, reliever John Foster walks out of the lounge door. I noticed it subconsciously before, but now I know he does it on purpose. He watches the game on the TV in there and as soon as they show the bullpen, he bursts through the door and plays with his belt. This is comic genius and gives you something to look for in those late innings.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Sorry, Still More on Katrina
Even Europeans are jumping in now and accusing Americans of not caring enough about their own poor/minorities, saying that is the reason why so many have died in New Orleans. Evil, greedy, capitalist American pigs (like me) care more about tax cuts instead of providing public goods like national health care, they reason, and it is this conservative/libertarian attitude that is truly responsible for the tragedy.
Nevermind the fact that a category 5 hurricane hit a below sea-level city of over a million where 2/3rds of the population already happens to be black.
I hate to keep linking the same blog, but these econ professors at George Mason Univ. are flat-out brilliant. All of you should read this blog everyday. Today, they point out how socialist France, with its supposedly perfect, generous universal health-care system, couldn't even keep 15,000 of its own citizens from dying during a short heat wave in the Summer of '03 (I was in the U.K. at the time).
Nevermind the fact that a category 5 hurricane hit a below sea-level city of over a million where 2/3rds of the population already happens to be black.
I hate to keep linking the same blog, but these econ professors at George Mason Univ. are flat-out brilliant. All of you should read this blog everyday. Today, they point out how socialist France, with its supposedly perfect, generous universal health-care system, couldn't even keep 15,000 of its own citizens from dying during a short heat wave in the Summer of '03 (I was in the U.K. at the time).
Why Spurrier Hates Georgia
I hope all of you knew I was being sarcastic with yesterday's post.
Here's two stories, one in Charleston's paper, the other in Columbia's, explaining exactly what turned Spurrier to the dark side.
Many of you already know what it is, but I just felt like posting it anyway.
"Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to....suffering." And the Gamecocks WILL suffer on Saturday.
Here's two stories, one in Charleston's paper, the other in Columbia's, explaining exactly what turned Spurrier to the dark side.
Many of you already know what it is, but I just felt like posting it anyway.
"Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to....suffering." And the Gamecocks WILL suffer on Saturday.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Will's Lock of the Week
I started the season off on the right foot last week, as Boston College coasted to an easy 20-3 victory over BYU.
Record: 1-0
This week's lock:
Notre Dame
@
Michigan -7
Charlie and the Touchdown Factory roll into Ann Arbor this weekend for a classic battle between these two hated rivals. Last year, Darius Walker ran wild over the Wolverines as Notre Dame stunned the nation by upsetting Michigan 28-20 in Southbend. This year's matchup looks to be a shootout with the winner most likely being the last team to have the ball.
Take the Irish. Seven points is far too many to give up to a team that can score like ND. Hell, go ahead and take the Irish to win. Notre Dame will shutdown the run and force Michigan to become one-dimmesional. Only problem is, the Irish secondary is still suspect, despite their performance against Pitt. Behind a superior OL, Notre Dame will be able to run the ball effectively. The "thunder and lightning" combo of Walker and Rashon Powers-Neal won't dominate, but will force Michigan's defense to respect the run, allowing Brady Quinn to put up big numbers.
The Irish steal one in Ann Arbor by 6 points and Brady Quinn is catapulted into the thick of the Heisman race.
Record: 1-0
This week's lock:
Notre Dame
@
Michigan -7
Charlie and the Touchdown Factory roll into Ann Arbor this weekend for a classic battle between these two hated rivals. Last year, Darius Walker ran wild over the Wolverines as Notre Dame stunned the nation by upsetting Michigan 28-20 in Southbend. This year's matchup looks to be a shootout with the winner most likely being the last team to have the ball.Take the Irish. Seven points is far too many to give up to a team that can score like ND. Hell, go ahead and take the Irish to win. Notre Dame will shutdown the run and force Michigan to become one-dimmesional. Only problem is, the Irish secondary is still suspect, despite their performance against Pitt. Behind a superior OL, Notre Dame will be able to run the ball effectively. The "thunder and lightning" combo of Walker and Rashon Powers-Neal won't dominate, but will force Michigan's defense to respect the run, allowing Brady Quinn to put up big numbers.
The Irish steal one in Ann Arbor by 6 points and Brady Quinn is catapulted into the thick of the Heisman race.
Steve Spurrier: Nice Guy
He's real laid back now...you'd like him a lot. Read this AJC interview, for example. Carolina is currently a 16.5-point underdog for Saturday. Don't get me wrong, my blood runs red and black, but I'm not taking this bet.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
New Orleans and Katrina: Part Deux
Here's another article on the chaos of New Orleans. This time the main culprate of the troubles is our country's out of control welfare system.
"What Hurricane Katrina exposed was the psychological consequences of the welfare state. What we consider "normal" behavior in an emergency is behavior that is normal for people who have values and take the responsibility to pursue and protect them. People with values respond to a disaster by fighting against it and doing whatever it takes to overcome the difficulties they face. They don't sit around and complain that the government hasn't taken care of them. And they don't use the chaos of a disaster as an opportunity to prey on their fellow men."
"What Hurricane Katrina exposed was the psychological consequences of the welfare state. What we consider "normal" behavior in an emergency is behavior that is normal for people who have values and take the responsibility to pursue and protect them. People with values respond to a disaster by fighting against it and doing whatever it takes to overcome the difficulties they face. They don't sit around and complain that the government hasn't taken care of them. And they don't use the chaos of a disaster as an opportunity to prey on their fellow men."
Friday, September 02, 2005
New Orleans and Katrina
I won't go into detail about the hurricane and its destruction. We have all watched the devastation unravel on Fox News since late Sunday night. The flooding and damage can all be repaired with time, but something worse is happened there. Today, I heard reports of armed gangs of looters and thugs running the neighborhoods of New Orleans. Reports of police men either going AWOL or taking part in looting itself, beatings of refugees, shoots being fired at rescue attempts, and even raping of children has been reported. This reminds of Lord of the Flies. What would posses these punks to behave the way they are? I happened to stumble upon this article that tries to answer such a question. After reading it, the New Orleans catastrophe was started years before Katrina ever thought of making landfall.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Target Destination; Jordan- Hare Stadium
The Boat Shoes will arrive in Auburn on Saturday, September 3rd at 5:00 p.m. central time.
The Boat Shoes will commence the dangerous switch from beer to bourbon at 5:05 p.m. central time.
The Boat Shoes will feast on barbecue and fried chicken at 5:10 p.m. central time.
The Boat Shoes will say something extremely embarrassing at 6:30 p.m. central time.
The Boat Shoes will enter Jordan-Hare stadium at 7:30 p.m. central time.
The Boat Shoes will pull out the secret weapon, a tasty flask, at 8:30 p.m. central time.
The Boat Shoes will be starving 10:45 p.m. central time.
The Boat Shoes will go into a coma at 11:00 p.m. central time.
Will's Lock of the Week
College football is finally here and I'm more excited than Dennis Rodman at a Clinique sale! BOOYAH! This is the first in a weekly installment that will span the entire season. Feel free to respond with your thoughts or your own lock of the week.
Boston College -2.5
@ BYU
I honestly have no idea why this line is so low. The only possible explanation is that Vegas is banking on BC laying an egg in Provo like their Catholic cousins did last year. With a new coach and a return to the Ty Detmer uniforms, the Mormons will be sky high for this game. But in my book, you gotta get to White Castle before the weirdos show up! The Eagles physical, smashmouth style will allow them to grind out an easy win. BC by 13.
Disclaimer: This post is intended for discussion only and does not endorse betting or gambling. The author is not responsible for any losses incurred by using this information. However, donations are gladly accepted from all gains.
Boston College -2.5
@ BYU
I honestly have no idea why this line is so low. The only possible explanation is that Vegas is banking on BC laying an egg in Provo like their Catholic cousins did last year. With a new coach and a return to the Ty Detmer uniforms, the Mormons will be sky high for this game. But in my book, you gotta get to White Castle before the weirdos show up! The Eagles physical, smashmouth style will allow them to grind out an easy win. BC by 13.
Disclaimer: This post is intended for discussion only and does not endorse betting or gambling. The author is not responsible for any losses incurred by using this information. However, donations are gladly accepted from all gains.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
"The Fighting Irish" No, really.
Cork's Brendan O'Sullivan in a skirmish with Kerry's Seamus Moynihan just before the end of the first half of the All-Ireland senior football semi final at Croke Park yesterday. Apparently, Brendan proceeded to gauge Seamus' eye out when the Kerry man threatened to steal the Cork man's lucky charms. I propose that these two fine athletes be our first speakers at our annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast. I had the honor of attending a hurling match at Croke park during my stay one month ago. During the game, I could faintly hear off in the distance... "Oh Paddy dear, did you hear the news that's going 'round? The shamrock is forbid by law to grow on Irish ground..."
More Praise for Clarkson
I can't stress it enough. This chick is the real deal. Be sure to watch the MTV VMA's tonight to see just how many this talented, gorgeous superstar takes home for what is probably the best music video since Michael Jackson's Thriller, for the best song since the Beatles' "Hey Jude".
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Fury at the Fuel Pump
Gas prices are at their highest level in history. It cost me $30 to fill up my Honda yesterday. I agree, it sucks.
Millions of Americans are asking, along with the elite news media: "What is the government going to DO about this?"
Hopefully nothing.
During the late 70s, in response to rising oil prices, the Carter Administration created the Department of Energy. Worst idea ever. Carter set price controls on fuel, regulating what gas station owners could charge for a gallon of gas. This, of course, led to long waiting lines at gas stations because demand was unnaturally outstripping supply.
Enter Ronald Reagan, whose first action as President in January of 1981 was to end these disasterous price controls.
Bam. Energy crisis solved. Gas lines disappeared. Beginning in 1981, the price of oil went back up to its natural market level, inducing firms to produce more oil, and during the course of the 1980s the price of oil dropped substantially. With the stroke of a pen, Reagan ended the energy crisis.
So what's going on 25 years later? The explosive growth of China and India over the last 5 years, the current mess in the Middle East, and a strict Sierra Club-style regulatory environment preventing production and refining in the US are all reasons for oil's high price today.
My point is, we don't need an energy "plan". The best thing the government can do right now is LEAVE THINGS ALONE and GET OUT OF THE WAY. The cure for $60 a barrel oil is...$60 a barrel oil. The price system will take care of everything, and all indicators show that it already is doing so. Prices are the most efficient mechanism at sending the necessary signals to producers through profit incentives to bring more petroleum to market (world oil production is at its highest level in history), to entrepreneurs to invest more in alternative fuel technologies (happening), and to consumers to conserve more (also happening; i.e., more people are buying hybrids instead of SUVs).
There's a great article at the Baltimore Sun that puts this to words much better than me. Subscription is free.
Give me one example where government has done a good job solving energy crunches. Why do people always turn to government to solve their economic problems? Especially when the government has the worst track record and the free-market has the best? All of the aforementioned participants, acting in their own self-interest and not under some grand "master plan" of a central authority, nor naive altruism (notice, for example, how more people are buying hybrids today NOT because they're tree-huggers or anthropology majors but because it will SAVE THEM MONEY), will solve our energy crunch in the most efficient manner. Just watch.
Millions of Americans are asking, along with the elite news media: "What is the government going to DO about this?"
Hopefully nothing.
During the late 70s, in response to rising oil prices, the Carter Administration created the Department of Energy. Worst idea ever. Carter set price controls on fuel, regulating what gas station owners could charge for a gallon of gas. This, of course, led to long waiting lines at gas stations because demand was unnaturally outstripping supply.
Enter Ronald Reagan, whose first action as President in January of 1981 was to end these disasterous price controls.
Bam. Energy crisis solved. Gas lines disappeared. Beginning in 1981, the price of oil went back up to its natural market level, inducing firms to produce more oil, and during the course of the 1980s the price of oil dropped substantially. With the stroke of a pen, Reagan ended the energy crisis.
So what's going on 25 years later? The explosive growth of China and India over the last 5 years, the current mess in the Middle East, and a strict Sierra Club-style regulatory environment preventing production and refining in the US are all reasons for oil's high price today.
My point is, we don't need an energy "plan". The best thing the government can do right now is LEAVE THINGS ALONE and GET OUT OF THE WAY. The cure for $60 a barrel oil is...$60 a barrel oil. The price system will take care of everything, and all indicators show that it already is doing so. Prices are the most efficient mechanism at sending the necessary signals to producers through profit incentives to bring more petroleum to market (world oil production is at its highest level in history), to entrepreneurs to invest more in alternative fuel technologies (happening), and to consumers to conserve more (also happening; i.e., more people are buying hybrids instead of SUVs).
There's a great article at the Baltimore Sun that puts this to words much better than me. Subscription is free.
Give me one example where government has done a good job solving energy crunches. Why do people always turn to government to solve their economic problems? Especially when the government has the worst track record and the free-market has the best? All of the aforementioned participants, acting in their own self-interest and not under some grand "master plan" of a central authority, nor naive altruism (notice, for example, how more people are buying hybrids today NOT because they're tree-huggers or anthropology majors but because it will SAVE THEM MONEY), will solve our energy crunch in the most efficient manner. Just watch.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
More BC Stuff
Coach Brackett spoke at the Alumni Association meeting last night. Typically, Brackett uses Holtz-like poor mouthing when talking about his teams. Last night, though, he seemed rather upbeat about the Cadets chances this year. Here's a breakdown of what he said.
As a unit, he said this is the best group of RBs he's ever had. There's no superstar but they all understand their roles and are ferocious blockers. Kourtney Pollard (4.4 40) is the best of the group but had some attitude problems last year. Brackett promised that he is straightened out.
QB is still a tossup between Dotson and Cail. Both have shown significant improvement over the offseason, thanks in large part to the new QB coach. I imagine Dotson will get the nod against Marist because he is a senior and he is a Dotson.
OL started out as a question mark but the coaching staff has found a good set of starters. If any of the five starters goes down, though, we could be in trouble. The new OL coach is Ken Cooper (former OL coach at UGA and head coach at Ole Miss). Both tightends are good receivers and will be utilized in the passing game.
Coach Brackett was not so optimistic about the defense. They are small up front and will not be able to go toe-to-toe with a strong offensive line. After consulting with former Valdosta coach, Mike O'Brien, this summer, Brackett is putting his best athletes at DE. One is Craig Thomas, who will also start at fullback. The other, whom Brackett did not name, went down with a knee injury.
We all know who is back at linebacker. Although not quite as gifted as his older brother, Anthony Wallace will be the focal point of the defense. Brackett also seemed pleased with the other starter at LB, whose first name, if I heard him correctly, is Gay. If that is his real name, I hope he takes out all his frustration from being teased as a kid on the Marist backfield.
The secondary seemed to be the coaching staff's biggest concern. Lack of size, speed, and depth is a deadly combination.
The kicking tandem of William Boyd (PK) and Ashton Phillips (P) is one of the best in the area. Boyd has a strong leg but was very inconsistent last year, missing way too many extra point attempts. Scott Shelton worked with him a little over the summer and hopefully straightened out his technique.
Despite the losses of long-time coaches Wayne Munch, Donal Chumley, and Tommy Cannon in recent years, Brackett said this is his best staff yet. Ken Cooper certainly adds validity to his statement. Also, the new OC is former East Hall head coach, Buddy Sorrow. Before retiring, he led East Hall to many region championships. He called Brackett out of the blue and told him he wanted to get back into coaching, but only at the right place. Coach Hall (QB coach) played quarterback at a D3 school and also coached QBs at the collegiate level. Donal Joyce ('97) started on the DL on the infamous '96 team and returns this year to coach the DL.
And finally, Coach Brackett guarenteed victory Saturday night. He said the attitude and leadership on this squad is off the charts.
I stand by my prediction:
BC .......................20
Marist.................14
Class of 2001.....Drunk
On a side note, I met yet another cousin to the Leonard dynasty last night at Sky Bar. He was a Markwalter, but I'm not sure what his first name was. Vick, maybe. Anyways, that satisfies my yearly quota of meeting people related to the Leonards in Statesboro.
As a unit, he said this is the best group of RBs he's ever had. There's no superstar but they all understand their roles and are ferocious blockers. Kourtney Pollard (4.4 40) is the best of the group but had some attitude problems last year. Brackett promised that he is straightened out.
QB is still a tossup between Dotson and Cail. Both have shown significant improvement over the offseason, thanks in large part to the new QB coach. I imagine Dotson will get the nod against Marist because he is a senior and he is a Dotson.
OL started out as a question mark but the coaching staff has found a good set of starters. If any of the five starters goes down, though, we could be in trouble. The new OL coach is Ken Cooper (former OL coach at UGA and head coach at Ole Miss). Both tightends are good receivers and will be utilized in the passing game.
Coach Brackett was not so optimistic about the defense. They are small up front and will not be able to go toe-to-toe with a strong offensive line. After consulting with former Valdosta coach, Mike O'Brien, this summer, Brackett is putting his best athletes at DE. One is Craig Thomas, who will also start at fullback. The other, whom Brackett did not name, went down with a knee injury.
We all know who is back at linebacker. Although not quite as gifted as his older brother, Anthony Wallace will be the focal point of the defense. Brackett also seemed pleased with the other starter at LB, whose first name, if I heard him correctly, is Gay. If that is his real name, I hope he takes out all his frustration from being teased as a kid on the Marist backfield.
The secondary seemed to be the coaching staff's biggest concern. Lack of size, speed, and depth is a deadly combination.
The kicking tandem of William Boyd (PK) and Ashton Phillips (P) is one of the best in the area. Boyd has a strong leg but was very inconsistent last year, missing way too many extra point attempts. Scott Shelton worked with him a little over the summer and hopefully straightened out his technique.
Despite the losses of long-time coaches Wayne Munch, Donal Chumley, and Tommy Cannon in recent years, Brackett said this is his best staff yet. Ken Cooper certainly adds validity to his statement. Also, the new OC is former East Hall head coach, Buddy Sorrow. Before retiring, he led East Hall to many region championships. He called Brackett out of the blue and told him he wanted to get back into coaching, but only at the right place. Coach Hall (QB coach) played quarterback at a D3 school and also coached QBs at the collegiate level. Donal Joyce ('97) started on the DL on the infamous '96 team and returns this year to coach the DL.
And finally, Coach Brackett guarenteed victory Saturday night. He said the attitude and leadership on this squad is off the charts.
I stand by my prediction:
BC .......................20
Marist.................14
Class of 2001.....Drunk
On a side note, I met yet another cousin to the Leonard dynasty last night at Sky Bar. He was a Markwalter, but I'm not sure what his first name was. Vick, maybe. Anyways, that satisfies my yearly quota of meeting people related to the Leonards in Statesboro.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
BC-Marist Brings College Atmosphere
Even the Savannah Morning News is pumped up about the War Eagles coming to town. The article says that BC is trying to also add St. Pius to the schedule, so that, each year, we would play one game in Atlanta and one game in Savannah.
In other news, I just recently discovered the BC Alumni website www.benedictinealumni.org. You can create an account and they have message boards and news forums. There is a meeting tonight to vote on the Association's Board of Directors. Jason Jue is one of the nominees. Enough said.
BREAK AN ARM! BREAK A LEG! BENEDIC! BENEDIC!
3 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!
In other news, I just recently discovered the BC Alumni website www.benedictinealumni.org. You can create an account and they have message boards and news forums. There is a meeting tonight to vote on the Association's Board of Directors. Jason Jue is one of the nominees. Enough said.
BREAK AN ARM! BREAK A LEG! BENEDIC! BENEDIC!
3 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!
Saturday, August 13, 2005
One More Week
The Cadets and War Eagles will be lacing them up exactly one week from now. My prediction:
Benedictine 20
Marist 14
Class of 2001 Drunk
I hit the phones hard today and made a lot of headway. Here is the RSVP list so far.
1. Eric Brown
2. Tavares Brown
3. Stephen Bruce
4. Ty Butler
5. Adam Clary
6. Rett Colleran
7. Tommy Davis
8. Davis Derst
9. Jeff Disk
10. Steven Doan
11. Will Fleming
12. Randy Gill
13. Mark Haslam
14. Patrick Holland
15. Morgan Jenssen
16. Chris Lane
17. Stephen Leonard (if he can find a ride)
18. TC Madison
19. Bryan McBride
20. Lee McCurry
21. Stephen Morgan
22. Chris Murray
23. Chris Pace
24. Arvind Raman
25. Michael Reardon
26. Patrick Sauers
27. Ryan Smith
28. Nardis Walker (maybe)
29. Tim Wallace
30. Brent Watts
31. Patrick Whitledge
32. Joe Wood
33. Brooks Zeigler
This list only shows people that have confirmed either me or Brooks. With everyone spreading the word, it looks like we might get 50 or more people!
Monday, August 08, 2005
Come Fall In Line
The 5-year reunion is starting to come together nicely. We already have confirmations from about 20 guys. I think 40 is a realistic goal. I checked out Marist's website and it looks like they are bringing a lot of people too. They are sponsoring a student trip to Tybee that afternoon. It also seems Marist is hosting a barbecue dinner at BC before the game. I can't wait!
12 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!
12 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!
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