10.10.03
Zuerst: Shirin Ebadi has won the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize. One hopes that other Muslims will learn from her contention that basic human rights of women are compatible with sharia, and that the problem is not the aforementioned Islamic law, but rather misogynism and chauvinism of varied Islamic leaders. To be honest, I'm disappointed that John Paul II didn't win it, but I think that the award was appropriately given. One hopes that this is the start of a trend; the fact that Yassir Arafat won it removes most credibility held by the Nobel committee. One hopes that they can regain it by moving away from politically motivated awards, such as the aforementioned Arafat (who received it for lying - again - to the Israelis during another negotiation), or such as Jimmy Carter (who received the award primarily as a conduit through which the commitee could say "fuck you" to the administration of Bush the Younger).
Politics: Governor-elect Ahhh-nold outpolled Governor Davis. That's what you get when (a) you devote your energy to fundraising rather than leadership, (b) your ally publishes a journalistically shaky story on the Thursday before the election, leading to a backlash against you, and (c) you increase the budget by 40% during your administration, thus plunging your state into an economic crisis. Having said that...
I think that George Will is right. One of California's problems is that they have been forced to spend money on various programs, as decided by the initiative process, and the state government has no recourse against spending this. California also (infinitely more wisely, in my view) decided, by initiative (Prop 13), to put a cap on property taxes. In other words, over a period of years and over several initiatives, the citizens of California decreed that they want something for nothing. However, direct democracy is little more than rule by mob, and the founders put into place many institutions designed to insulate this republic from direct democracy. The Electoral College is one example. The Senate is another; until 1913, senators were elected not by the people of their various states, but were appointed by the governors and approved (elected) by legislatures. The amendment which provides for direct election of senators (the 17th) grew out of the progressive political movement, much like the amendments to the California constitution which provide for the initiative process and for recall of elected officials. Congratulations, progressives. This is your legacy: rule by mob.
College Football: I should have posted my picks yesterday, but I didn't. Oh well. I'll post them here:
Pro Football: Thoughts about my picks:
Hockey: Opening day for the Caps was a wild success, resulting in a 6-1 win. A quick preview: Washington, more than likely, will sneak into the playoffs as the 6 or 7 seed in the East. I think that Olaf Kolzig will keep them in most games, even if the defence is paper-thin, starting 3 teenagers (ay caramba!). Coach Cassidy, one hopes (though one isn't sure), has learned a lot from his first year. But the offense should be good, with Peter Bondra and Jaromir Jagr anchoring the top 2 lines, and Sergei Gonchar on the blueline. The power play should be good too, for the same reasons. They'll probably finish around 90 points and, like I said, sneak into the playoffs. Leaguewide, I like Ottawa to beat Detroit in the Stanley Cup finals. Ottawa is a superb team, and its loss to New Jersey last year should teach them much.
Friday Five:
More later - R.
Politics: Governor-elect Ahhh-nold outpolled Governor Davis. That's what you get when (a) you devote your energy to fundraising rather than leadership, (b) your ally publishes a journalistically shaky story on the Thursday before the election, leading to a backlash against you, and (c) you increase the budget by 40% during your administration, thus plunging your state into an economic crisis. Having said that...
I think that George Will is right. One of California's problems is that they have been forced to spend money on various programs, as decided by the initiative process, and the state government has no recourse against spending this. California also (infinitely more wisely, in my view) decided, by initiative (Prop 13), to put a cap on property taxes. In other words, over a period of years and over several initiatives, the citizens of California decreed that they want something for nothing. However, direct democracy is little more than rule by mob, and the founders put into place many institutions designed to insulate this republic from direct democracy. The Electoral College is one example. The Senate is another; until 1913, senators were elected not by the people of their various states, but were appointed by the governors and approved (elected) by legislatures. The amendment which provides for direct election of senators (the 17th) grew out of the progressive political movement, much like the amendments to the California constitution which provide for the initiative process and for recall of elected officials. Congratulations, progressives. This is your legacy: rule by mob.
College Football: I should have posted my picks yesterday, but I didn't. Oh well. I'll post them here:
- Virginia Tech beats Syracuse. It took Syracuse three overtimes to beat Tech last year, up in Syracuse. Syracuse has also beaten Tech two straight years, something that Beamer won't let the team forget. Add to that the last time that Tech scheduled Syracuse on homecoming, the result was the worst shutout of a team in the AP top 25 in the history of that poll; Tech beat Syracuse 62-0. I don't expect that, but I do expect a relatively easy Tech victory.
- Michigan beats Minnesota. You know who John Navarre is? He's the Chris Rix of the upper midwest. He's overrated, doesn't make particularly good decisions, and was hailed as a saviour by the faithful because of experience - and the fact that there's no one else to whom each team can turn. Is Chris Perry overrated? Maybe. He padded his stats early against Central Michigan, Houston and a bad Notre Dame team. Having said that, Lloyd Carr has historically done well getting his team up for big games, and this game is a must win for Michigan. Michigan can't lose a third game in the course of 4 weeks, or a second Big Ten game before the Ohio State game. Carr will have his people ready, and Minnesota still hasn't played a good team.
- Miami beats Florida State. FSU ran like crazy on Miami last year, but Miami still won. Chris Rix is overrated, and he has padded his stats against awful teams such as Colorado and Duke. Those 47 points that FSU put up against CU don't look nearly as good since CU allowed 42 to Baylor! Chris Rix may have improved from last year - when he lost his job to Adrian McPherson - but he hasn't improved to the point that FSU will beat a very good Miami secondary.
- Oklahoma beats Texas. This is the first game in the Stoops era in which OU is favoured. It's about time that the bookmakers figured it out. Mack Brown has never won a really big game (such as this one), and Stoops is the best big-game coach in the country.
- Tennessee beats Georgia. Yeah, Casey Clausen is another overrated QB, and, yeah, he popped off at the mouth, but the truth is that he's probably right; UT probably would have beaten UGA by 2 touchdowns. If Phil Fulmer is intelligent, he'll actually try to establish the run this weekend; whatever else Tennessee is, Tennessee is a running team. True, Cedric Houston and Jabari Davis have struggled against SEC opponents, but they need to run the ball, because Clausen is, more than likely, not going to win the game for UT against Georgia.
- Wisconsin beats Ohio State. The last time Ohio State faced a team close to the calibre of Wisconsin, it took them three overtimes to beat them - at home. The crowd won't be on OSU's side this time, and Wisconsin is nearly as good offensively - and much better defensively - than is NC State.
Pro Football: Thoughts about my picks:
- Gotta pick someone to win the Chicago-New Orleans game. Chicago comes off a close win, and one hopes that - though one is by no means sure of - New Orleans will be motivated to win the game, and not to get embarrassed like they did against Indy.
- Houston has overacheived, but Tennessee will also come out motivated to prove that New England was a fluke.
- Dallas has played nobody, and lost at home to a hideous Atlanta team sans-Vick. Philadelphia isn't great, but they're better than Dallas, and their defence is good enough that Quincy Carter will be exposed as a mediocre-to-bad quarterback.
- Okay, so the game is in Lambeau, but Green Bay is coming off a big win and may just focus on that. Kansas City has, with the exception of previously-unbeaten rival Denver, beaten everyone's ass. I can't see that changing.
- Carolina is very good, and I would pick them right now against most teams in the league. Indianapolis may well be the best team in the league, and they showed me something big in coming back the way they did Monday night on the road.
- Miami is good. Not great but good. Jacksonville, last week's win aside, sucks.
- New England proved that they are a good team last week, and they're at home. Were this game in Jersey, I would probably pick the Giants, but neither team is good enough to overcome the home-field advantage of the other.
- This is the pick that probably makes you think that (a) I'm a homer and/or (b) I'm out of my mind. Maybe. Part of the pick is me being homer, rooting for the 'Skins. But it's not as crazy as, say, picking Jacksonville to beat Miami. Yes, Washington is worst in the league in sacks allowed (15). Having said that, Patrick Ramsey is a very good quarterback (though by no means great). Washington has kept every game close (no margin greater than 3). And Tampa, though it will view this as a must win game after their collapse, showed me something by blowing a 3 touchdown lead in 4 minutes. Tampa has lost Mike Alstott, and Keyshawn Johnson (who, in my view, is overrated) may or may not miss the game. Washington's defence is rated 9th in the league. And I like Lavar Arrington's attitude regarding Warren Sapp.
- I'm picking Cleveland solely because the game is in Cleveland. I don't really like either team. Cleveland is inconsistent, beating San Francisco but losing to Cincinnati. Oakland is just too old.
- There is no doubt in my mind that Arizona's win against Green Bay was a fluke, and that they suck, as they have since they moved from Chicago via St. Louis. Baltimore is a good, though not great, team. And Baltimore (with a .500 record) leads the AFC North.
- Denver has a huge home-field advantage (being up in thin air and all). They also have something to prove, having lost to Kansas City last week by 1 point. They'll prove it against a mediocre Pittsburgh team.
- The Jets lose again. Side note: what's the money line on who gets fired first: Marty Schottenheimer or Herm Edwards? Given the New York media, I would have to say Edwards (-160). That doesn't change the fact that San Diego sucks. (yes, I think that's my Pro Football motto)
- San Francisco lost to Cleveland a couple of weeks ago, and beat Detroit by less than a touchdown. Seattle has something to prove at home. Seattle wins big, I think.
- Since the Falcons are still sans Michael Vick, I don't see them putting up any sort of fight against St. Louis.
Hockey: Opening day for the Caps was a wild success, resulting in a 6-1 win. A quick preview: Washington, more than likely, will sneak into the playoffs as the 6 or 7 seed in the East. I think that Olaf Kolzig will keep them in most games, even if the defence is paper-thin, starting 3 teenagers (ay caramba!). Coach Cassidy, one hopes (though one isn't sure), has learned a lot from his first year. But the offense should be good, with Peter Bondra and Jaromir Jagr anchoring the top 2 lines, and Sergei Gonchar on the blueline. The power play should be good too, for the same reasons. They'll probably finish around 90 points and, like I said, sneak into the playoffs. Leaguewide, I like Ottawa to beat Detroit in the Stanley Cup finals. Ottawa is a superb team, and its loss to New Jersey last year should teach them much.
Friday Five:
- Do you watch sports? If so, which ones?
- Football (both pro and college), hockey, college and minor league baseball. I also watch a bit of college basketball.
- What/who are your favorite sports teams and/or favorite athletes?
- I'm a Washingtonian, so my teams are, for the most part, in Washington. I am a big Virginia Tech fan, a Washington Capitals fan, and a big Washington Redskins fan.
- Are there any sports you hate?
- I'm not a big fan of professional basketball, and watching soccer is like watching the grass grow.
- Have you ever been to a sports event?
- Yes, I've been to several. My family has season tickets to the Capitals, I have attended several Virginia Tech games - football, basketball, and baseball - and I've even attended a couple of Redskins games (the hardest ticket in Washington).
- Do/did you play any sports (in school or other)? How long did you play?
- Nope. In high school, I participated in It's Academic which has since become sanctioned by the Virginia High School League, but it's not a sport in the strict sense of the word. It's like Jeopardy. In college, I participated in the analog of It's Ac.
More later - R.
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