Wednesday, November 29, 2006

The Return of Odds & Sods

It's been a long time since we did some sodding against all odds. But here we go.

NEWS
This is going to be a very interesting time for the Bush Administration. The Middle East's problems have expanded from Iraq to Israel and to Lebanon. Three civil wars breaking out is not out of the realm of possibility. The President's best work has to be forthcoming otherwise we could be in for some major problems and don't think that what happens in that part of the world is confined to the region.

By the way any idea how the hunt for Usama Bin Laden is going. Remember how united we were and those "Wanted Dead or Alive" posters with UBL's face on it. I hate to say it but one very dark day you are going to be driving around and you will say, "You know that Kilkelly guy had something when he said UBL was the most dangerous man on the planet. Too bad the politicos did not feel the same way."

I am wondering also why the media does not ever ask about UBL. Oh I get it, they are more concerned with Britney Spears and the grooming of her nether region. Glad we got that cleared up.

Oops I did it again! Am I being too long winded for you? High fives all around!

SPORTS
The Giants have fallen apart and the Rangers are very inconsistent. They can beat anyone in the NHL but they also have problems closing out games. The Blueshirts are in dire need of a solid two-way player who is dependable on draws especially in key situations. Gee, too bad they traded Dominick Moore away...

So let me get this straight. Bill Parcells can chew out the media on a daily basis. That's fine. Pat Reilly or Joe Torre get nasty with a member of the media and well they are just cranky. Bobby Knight can strike a player. That's fine, because you know, it's Bob Knight. Michael Strahan chews out a reporter and gets lambasted by "The Phone Slammers." Just wondering if race plays a role in this?

If you or I struck a co-worker because they were not paying attention to us would we be pardoned by society? God please let me be in attendance when one of Knight's players decides to turn the tables and goes a little Sprewell on him. Please!

Jason Sehorn was all over the media and it took a long time for the critics to say boo. Tiki Barber seems omnipresent as well and takes a pretty bad beating in the press on a daily basis. Why? Answer: See above regarding Michael Strahan.

THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT
I finished two outstanding books recently. Tunney by Jack Cavanaugh which was a bit long but is a good read for even a non-boxing fan and Christ The Lord by Anne Rice which is one of the few books that I have read that I would consider perusing once again. An incredibly powerful story told in the first person about Jesus and His perspective on the world and His own significance as a seven year old. I highly, highly, recommend this book even for the non-believers. Hey it's in paperback and for $7.99 you can't go wrong.

This Sunday is ECW's "December to Dismember" on pay-per-view which will feature an "Elimination Chamber" match for the ECW World Title. Big Show, Test, Sabu, Bobby Lashley, RVD, and CM Punk are all involved in this one. I say that ECW Champ Big Show will walk in and walk out with the belt. At 7'5 and 500 pounds this guy moves like a cat and is as unstoppable as ever. The dark horse in this one is CM Punk who is a product of Vince McMahon's "developmental league," the OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling).

The talent is now spread pretty equally between WWE Raw, WWE Smackdown, and ECW. Add to the fact that TNA now has Curt Angle as there top wrestler and it sort of is reminiscent of the old days when there were four solid wrestling promotions (WWF, NWA, AWA, World Class).

Roger Daltrey appeared on CSI Thanksgiving night and was pretty good. I like CSI:Miami but to me there is only one cops show that matters and that is NYPD Blue. The first season of Blue is a great stocking stuffer.

Great to see "The Huffington Post" take pot shots at Pete Townshend because he supported the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Yeah, liberals are real tolerant of those with differing viewpoints.

It was really cool to see Classic Albums on VH1 feature Who's Next. Incredible how much work goes into making an album.

I have no problem with Billy Joel. I like some of his music, but he's probably not my favorite. But he made the Top Fifty for MSG's Greatest Moments series. The reason: he sold out 12 straight shows. Impressive! So now a banner sits in The Garden's rafters that says "Joel" and the number "12." Sure that's cool and all. He's broken a lot of sweat like Mark Messier (11), Mike Richter (35), Rod Gilbert (7), Eddie Giacomin (1), Walt Frazier (10), Dick Barnett (12), Earl"The Pearl"Monroe (15), Dick McGuire (15), Willils Reed (19), Dave DeBusschere (22), Bill Bradley (24), Patrick Ewing (33) and Red Holzman (613 for the number of wins as Head Coach).

Oh and he sure does deserve to have his "number" retired ahead of Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves.

Hey while were at it why don't we retire Babs' "number" or why don't we really bastardize the whole thing and hang a picture of an elephant using MSG as a giant kitty litter. Because, hey, the circus never does leave town now does it...

Cheerio!

Untitled

Where've I been? Where've you been? I have not blogged much lately. November has gone by in a blink of an eye and will be reaching its merciful conclusion tomorrow. I have been thinking about doing something different with this blog, maybe even getting a second one, I even thought about scrapping the whole thing. What do I want to write about? Sports? News? Politics? Personal stuff? Wow, that's kind of heavy. Do you really want to know what I am thinking? I was going to just scrap this blog and get a new one and use that for some poems and short stories that I have been working on. That may still come to fruition. But for now here I am stuck in the abyss trying to figure out what works and what doesn't.

This past month has not been a jolly one for me. But I always look on the bright side and have hope that December will be a memorable one, and not one for dismemberment, hence the ECW pay-per-view, "December to Dismember."

I wonder about some people. I wonder what some folks are after. Are they really your friend or is their just something for them to be gained. I wonder about a girl that I have gone on a few dates with if it is just a complete expletive waste of time and she is playing a game with me. In fact, I know it is a waste of time, accepting that is a whole different ballgame. Perhaps all of this is too melodramatic. Perhaps. But then again it's my blog and I'll piss and moan if I want to thank you very much.

I wonder about the excessive unprofessionalism of one or two individuals. This thought came to my mind this past Saturday night at work. By writing these things out I am able to make sense of them and can straighten my head out and make decisions on going forward. Do I really want to spend my Saturday nights anymore working part-time for not a lot of money and an increasing amount of aggravation? Good question. Do you have an answer? My brain is a bit scattered lately. I am tired of many things and not many people, but a few folks. Namely one person who is a miserable expletive and needs to either go to a massage parlor or get a girlfriend instead of bringing their misery to work.

Back in the spring I was encouraged by someone to just write on this blog and see where it leads. In fact, it has been one of the highlights for me this past year and has led to many new things and discoveries. I figure if I write on here once a day whatever it is it will come.

So this is my rambling for today. I really wanted to see The Who in Bridgeport last night but I was unable to get tickets and I had to work anyway. Rachel Fuller plays in NYC tonight and I was unable to get tix to that show, as well. Maybe the third time will be a charm.

Have a great day!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and that you are able to find things to be thankful for. If you are having trouble with finding things to be thankful for then you can start with being American and living in America. Despite what some of those in the media tell you, America is still the best country in the world. Remember there are millions of folks risking their lives to enter this country illegally every day. I don't see many humans in a rush to leave the United States.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Supporting Our Troops and Election Day

With the holidays coming up I hope that you will share my sentiments in remembering those who are keeping us free. Please check out this link when you have a chance. This really is a terrific web site that helps support the troops overseas. They've created over 45,000 Holiday Gift packages and have sent them to our brave men and women who are serving.

http://www.opgratitude.com/

I had a conversation recently with someone who did not vote last Tuesday. To be honest, I really look at people differently who don't vote. If someone is older and can not make it out of their home for one reason or another, I understand that. But for someone to not vote who is between the age of 18 and 65 and in reasonably good health is really pathetic. If you step back and look at world history, America is a young country. There are, in my opinion, no guarantees that we will always enjoy the same freedoms that we currently have. Governments come and go. Some countries that were once mighty, are no longer.

I think it is probably one of the simplest things an American can do. Last week was pretty important here in New York. The voters chose a new Governor, a new State Attorney General, and decided to keep Hillary Clinton as U.S. Senator for six more years. But it's equally as important to vote for town councilman and village managers and that sort of thing. They can really impact your life directly.

Shame on anyone who did not vote last week. Perhaps they should read up on some of the countries around the world where the folks would do just about anything to be able to vote. Remember, in Somalia, the current government is controlled by the radical and al-Qaeda linked Islamic Courts, where they don't allow women to go to the beach. A simple freedom that we in America take for granted.

Reportedly there was a 40% turnout nationwide, which was higher than expected. I just can't figure out why we can't double that number. If you are too busy to vote, you are too busy! I hope that no one who reads this blog, falls into the category of the people who did not exercise their privilege to participate in Democracy last week. But if you are one of those misguided souls, just remember the old adage that you never know what you have, until it's gone!

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Rangers Playing Better But...

The New York Rangers fell 3-1 last night to the Washington Capitals after winning in Atlanta on Friday night. The Rangers ran into a hot goalie in Olaf"Olie The Goalie"Kolzig, who ended the Blueshirts four game road winning streak.

The Rangers return home to face off against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night in a matchup between the Atlantic division's two best teams.

The good news about New York last season was that they had a bunch of players who were either rookies or in their first full season. That also means a bunch of these guys are eligible for the "sophomore slump." That's what I think Henrik Lundqvist is kind of going through right now. Although last night's loss was not entirely his fault, he wasn't all-world as he was last year.

Head Coach Tom Renney has to have a better understanding of the pulse of his goalies. Last night would have been a perfect opportunity to start Kevin Weekes to keep him fresh.

Rangers play back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday, the aforementioned game against the Devs and then on the road against Carolina. Lundqvist is a fan favorite at home so he should get the nod against Jersey, while Weekes seems to be more of a road warrior, so I would have him in between the pipes in Carolina.

The forwards are fine at this point. I am more concerned about the guys on the blueline going forward. Fedor Tyutin who is not in a sophomore slump is rounding into a top four d-man, Aaron Ward brings experience and is pretty steady, but I think the Blueshirts either need to promote someone from Hartford or make a deal. Marek Malik at this point seems to be a step too slow for the new NHL. I'm not sure what he would fetch in a deal, maybe a fifth or sixth round draft pick. I would not mind seeing him traded away to maybe free up some space under the salary cap. This would more importantly allow Thomas Pock to play on a regular basis, so the young blueliner can get some valuable experience and confidence. It makes absolutely no sense to have Pock going in and out of the lineup. I don't believe it does anything in terms of his development.

Ivan Baranka is a possible promotion from the Wolf Pack to play on the Blueline, but might still be a year away.

Ryan Callahan has nine goals in 12 games for the Pack. I wouldn't be surprised to see him or the all-around good player, Dwight Helminen taking an Amtrak from Hartford to The Garden.

Elsewhere, don't be surprised to see Tampa trade Martin St. Louis to a western conference team this week.

Stay Onsides!

Saturday, November 11, 2006

I'm One

As you may have noticed by now I usually put a quote in the dasher up above from one of The Who's songs. No reason, really. I guess just to be different. Anyway, I heard a live version of "I'm One" on the radio this morning and really liked it, so why not?

Happy Veteran's Day
Most importantly I would like to wish all those who have so bravely served our great country a Happy Veteran's Day! I sent an email to someone earlier thanking him and letting him know what he did for his country is most appreciated, especially in this corner. Have a good thought, say a prayer, just remember why we are free. So make it a point to thank a vet!

I can honestly say that the most touching and a most proud moment during my father's internment, was when members of the U.S. Army removed the Stars and Stripes from his coffin and presented the flag to my mother after the playing of "Taps." An incredible tribute!

Ironically, Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing(1955) is on AMC tomorrow morning. This was a movie my father reviewed for the New York Daily Mirror during his very brief journalism career.

POLITICS
It's only been a couple of days but there are already calls for investigations and impeachment. It's gonna get ugly folks.

Now that the Democrats control the House and Senate, I wonder if there will still be conspiracy theories if we catch Usama Bin Laden in the final two years of the Bush Administration?

MUSIC
Many of you know I am a big fan of Rachel Fuller, a pretty good singer from the U.K. Well, she does a thing called In The Attic which I am hoping to get tickets to when it comes to Joe's Pub in NYC in late November. Anyway, I first heard her on the soundtrack for Shall We Dance? which belongs to a friend of mine, and yes that friend is a female. Ha Ha! But that's where I first heard Fuller's incredible voice, or so I thought? Turns out she was part of Pete Townshend's Lifehouse CD which he did a few years ago.

In 2000, I taped Townshend's performance of Lifehouse off the radio and have kept those two tapes near my Walkman ever since. So a few months ago I was listening and realized that Fuller was playing violin with the London Chamber Orchestra during the performance. She also did some backing vocals.

So then it turns out that Fuller and Townshend are an item and have been for years. She and PT wrote "It's Not Enough" which is on Endless Wire. This is what caused Howard Stern to compare Fuller to Yoko Ono, which is ridiculous for many reasons that I won't go into right now.

By the way, Lifehouse is the story behind the Who's Next album and is kind of about the Internet, but Pete calls it "the grid." He started writing this story around 1970 and finally finished it 30 years later. I guess better late than never.

Where was I? Oh yeah, so my point is that you never know how or where you will find some music you may have been unaware of. Also, at a recent In The Attic jam Minnie Driver performed with Fuller and Company. On Rachel's blog she describes Driver as being really great and encouraged her to stick with it. Most of us I'm sure remember Driver from Good Will Hunting.

So what is In The Attic anyway? Basically, it consists of Fuller, Pete Townshend and his brother Simon, and assorted guests who stop in to jam away.

Rachel Fuller's In The Attic website is in my links section, it includes her blog, and podcasts of some Who shows on their current tour. Recently, she closed a jam with the very moving "Blue" by Joni Mitchell which Fuller dedicated to Linda McCartney. A real nice touch!

I haven't been to a whole bunch of live shows but I've been to a decent amount. The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Page/Robert Plant, Tom Petty, Jimmy Buffett, Shawn Colvin, The Cranberries (remember them!), are just some that I can recall at the moment. I know there are more, but these are the ones I can remember right this second.

It's pretty amazing how The Who and Bruce Springsteen step up their performance when you hear them live as opposed to in-studio. Anything I can get my hands on from The Who or The Boss that is live is like gold to me. I love them both on their studio Cd's but I can't overstate how much these guys take things to a new level!

This as opposed to Jay Z who actually goes down a few notches when he is live. I have all of his studio albums which are great, but live, he sounds pretty bad. I hate to say it, but there is no other way to put it. I can't figure it out! Seriously.

So much for retirement as Jay releases Kingdom Come on November 21.

Jay Z's girlfriend, Beyonce, will be co-starring with Desperate Housewives' star Eva Longoria in a 'lesbian' version of Brokeback Mountain. I didn't see the original and have no plans to see this new version, but I have no doubt that it will be a smashing success at the box office and that Howard Stern will have a field day with it.

Finally a music video channel that plays videos. The Tube plays everyone you could imagine and is one of the highlights of having the new digital cable box that Cablevision made everyone get a few months ago. Also, there are a bunch of music channels that are genre-specific. Although there are no videos they do show some assorted facts about the musicians that are playing. Kind of like VH1's Pop-Up Video without the annoying bubbles.

SPORTS
The Yankees traded Gary Sheffield and I know some will be happy to see the Bombers cutting payroll for a minute or two. The issue of the payroll is a hot button one. So let me just say that my thing with it is this: The Yankees are operating within the rules, no question about that. They also generate an enormous amount of money. But if I am George Steinbrenner I don't think I would entrust Brian Cashman with putting together a team that has come up so short. Especially, when it is my money!

If the New York Yankees are about winning the World Series, then Cashman has been an abysmal failure. I like the guy. But at this point maybe he should have taken the heat after the Yanks fell to Detroit.

Getting rid of bench bosses is window dressing in my opinion. The Boss has mellowed, but maybe too much. That's why I bring up the payroll, not because I believe the Yankees are cheating. The fact is, a player on Kansas City has no business complaing about how much the Bombers spend, because he voted in favor of the collective bargaining agreement that sets the rules for how all of MLB's teams operate. I gotta think that if the Yankees don't get it done this year, Cashman's a goner.

The New York Rangers are playing much better and are paying more attention to defense and backchecking. Their trip out west has seemed to have transformed the team.

The Dominick Moore for Adam Hall trade has been a bust to this point. Hall doesn't use his size nearly enough, and the Rangers definitely miss Moore, who was one of the best penalty killers in the game.

Jed Ortmeyer is working hard to return, probably in late December, after a pulmonary embolism was discovered this summer, which potentially can be fatal.

Although a lot of publicity has been given to New York Giants' running back Tiki Barber's retirement at season's end; General Manager Ernie Accorsi will also be riding off into the sunset at the conclusion of the season. A pretty good G.M. and by all accounts a heck of a guy!

I am currently reading Boxing's Brainiest Champ and His Upset of the Great Jack Dempsey by Jack Cavanaugh. So far a pretty good read.

THE WORLD OF THE DESPICABLE
Bill Maher is classless for not only saying that the Republicans are all homosexuals stuck in the closet, but also for his Halloween costume; The Crocodile Hunter complete with a stingray sticking out of his heart.

ELIMINATING THE ANNOYING
Hey are you tired of getting those annoying letters asking you to get such and such a credit card? Well now you can be put on a list so that you will no longer be solicited. Just call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT.

MORE POLITICS
In the spirit of pro wrestling, why don't we just add Mitt Romney/Jeb Bush vs. John McCain/Rudy Giuliani vs. Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama in an "Anything Goes Triple Threat Match" at ECW's December 3 pay-per-view, "December to Dismember." The winners will decide who the next Presidential Administration will be. I bet it will be less dirty than what we will see over the next two years.

Wow, I'm really sucking wind!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Mini Odds & Sods

Nothing can cheer me up better than a spin around the world of the inane and insane.

THE INANE
Britney Spears is dumping K-Fed. I guess she is also upset at the fact that he has challenged WWE Champ John Cena. Vince McMahon can be a brilliant promoter, but the whole K-Fed angle may be one of his worst ideas yet.

Speaking of wrestling King Booker was victorious at Cyber Sunday making him the "Champion of Champions." Makes sense actually, since his World Championship has links back to the WCW World and NWA World titles, the oldest in the biz.

If you haven't been watching you are missing something really special on MSG with their 50 Greatest Moments series. A new one airs every Tuesday night, and they repeat the show multiple times during the week. When it comes to production and that sort of thing, MSG is one of the best.

I listened to Opie and Anthony for the first time in a very long time this morning. They were discussing the ouster of Don Rumsfeld, and they actually showed themselves to be pretty intelligent. Then Cindy Margolis came on the air and it became time to change the station. I don't have a problem with the shock jocks, but these guys do go over the line. When O & A orchestrated a man and woman attempting to have sex inside St. Patrick's Cathedral, I had a big problem with it. The hierarchy of the Church can be criticized for the pedophilia scandals that have rocked the Church, but when you interfere and basically make a mockery of the folks who are trying to practice their faith, that I have a big problem with.

I actually used to like Opie when he was with WBAB many years ago. But I was in college then and my tastes have thankfully evolved. At that time he was not as far out there as he is now.

My problem with the whole Howard Stern/Pete Townshend thing was that I don't see the humor when someone makes fun of some else for being abused as a child. I don't get it. But then again I don't listen to it, which is a good thing. Most rock stars have some strange stuff in their history, especially the guys who were around in the 1960s. I don't know if some of them try to accentuate their eccentricities or what, but I mostly don't pay attention to it.

I actually really don't understand the obsession with another person's sex life. That's what I have pretty much always gotten from Stern. I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this, but I think when you reach 30 or older, your tastes do not include Howard Stern. But who am I to say what people should and shouldn't like!

MUSIC
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I saw a guy named Brooks Williams perform locally. Here's the deal with that: Monty Delaney has something called "Monty's Room" at his residence every now and again. This is where some of the musicians that he is buddies with come and perform, and Monty gets some pretty good food. So I walked about five minutes from my place to his and paid $20 bucks to eat and listen to a very talented musician. This led me to thinking about what makes a musician really successful and what makes them kind of a local circuit kind of guy. The answer was simple for me, it's talent, it's the music they play, their stage presence, but above and beyond everything else, again it's talent. I mean no disrespect but as good as this guy was and as good of a guy as he was, there is a major difference between him and someone like Eric Clapton.

I used to hear people say that minor league sports is great. That there are some real good athletes and it is not as expensive as the big leagues. True. Some would even say that it's better. Not true. I have gone to a fair number of minor league baseball and hockey games, as well as professional games. Their is absolutely no comparison. I respect the guys in the minors, but trying to draw a comparison is like comparing apples to oranges.

Still, I love being able to listen to guys and gals perform who are not as popular as the folks who get the most play on the radio. So that leads me to this from Monty's website:

Saturday, February 3rd, 2007
THE IRVINGTON THEATRE
An Evening With Montgomery Delaney & Friends - 8PM
Irvington NY
Price: 25$
Westco Productions is proud to continue to present some of the finest in Adult Contemporary and Contemporary Folk that America has to offer. As of this writing, Montgomery will be joined by his good friend, singer, songwriter, slide guitarist extraordinaire, PAT WICTOR as well as the amazing new/NEW ENGLAND singer/songwriter on the block, ANAIS MITCHELL who is literally taking the country by storm with her debut release "Hymns For The Exiled". You will not want to miss this first major appearance by Anais in Westchester County. Montgomery will be joined on guitar by Grammy nominated guitarist Gil Parris and on percussion by the exquisite hands of Ali Chambliss. ORDER TICKETS NOW by clicking on the "THE IRVINGTON THEATRE" above...SEE YOU THERE !

He's a very talented and likable guy, if you get a chance I would definitely encourage anyone to go and check him out. He's not performing locally until that time which is kind of disappointing. Monty is also planning to release a new CD in early 2007.

If I hear anything new I'll be sure to pass it along.

THE INSANE
The phone slammers decided to chime in about the election. I was so glad they gave their two cents on this topic. These two will tell you they don't know much about a subject and then they'll act like they do. If you need a mechanic, neither one of these guys would be able to fix your car, but they sure as hell will tell you all about it.

TO THE WINNER GOES THE SPOILS
For some reason I find the Geico commercial where the caveman is in the airport and sees himself in a Geico promotional picture to be quite humorous. What adds to it is the music playing in the background. So if you can name that tune, I will give you a Cohiba cigar or at the very least I will buy you a drink at Starbucks. Or maybe I'll just shake your hand and say thanks.

Cheers!

On The Lighter Side...

What I find comical at this point about the election results is hearing these folks saying they are going to be working together. Yeah, how long will that last for? Five minutes. The next two years are going to be very ugly and very dirty. I am not sure yet who benefits, but I know who loses, and as usual that is you and I.

The positives out of this is that our democracy, which in actuality we are really a republic, is strong. The Iraq war has got people down and they wanted a change and they voted for it. Still way too low of a voter turnout, at 40%.

I learned a great deal about several black politicians such as Michael Steele who ran unsuccessfully for Governor in Maryland; Congressman Harold Ford ran for Senator in Tennessee, in which he was defeated; as well we saw the success of many women such as Nancy Pelosi, who will soon be named as the first woman to be Speaker of the House; and the incredible victory for Jodi Rell who became Governor of Connecticut.

This should serve as a great example to the rest of the world such as the violent and extremely angry Islamists, some of the smug Europeans, and the anti-Americans who reside inside the borders of our great country.

Democracy is healthy when there are two parties who have a say, however, the Democratic party is for the most part a joke. But they have a great opportunity to straighten things out in Iraq, to continue the enormous strides made in the overall War On Terror, and to deal with the illegal immigration problem. Let's see if this once proud party rises to the occasion, or folds like a cheap suit. As they say in the world of broadcasting, stay tuned...

Rummy Was Never Appreciated

Don Rumsfeld is out as we all probably know by now. Now I can hear all the folks screaming and yelling that it is too late, that he is a war criminal, etc. etc. The one general who matters who I have not heard from is General Tommy Franks who was head of CENTCOMM which covers basically the entire Middle East and the 'Stans; Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.

Franks operated out of his offices in Tampa, Florida, and I never heard him on television or in his book say anything negative about Rummy. Franks, was the General in charge that led the invasion of Afghanistan and then later Iraq. Him and Rumsfeld worked together to develop a plan to wage war inside these two nations.

Prior to 9/11 Rumsfeld was in the process of reforming the military into a force that would be capable of fighting in the way that wars would be fought in the future. The days of mass invasions were over, he believed, and the days of relying mostly on Special Forces was the new way to wage warfare. This was done successfully in Afghanistan. The U.S. relied heavily on the locals, mostly the anti-Taliban fighters, known as the Northern Alliance. Although Secretary of State Colin Powell wanted a 500,000 invasion force for Iraq, Franks and Rumsfeld went with a force much smaller, but still substantial at around 150,000.

Overall I liked Rumsfeld, with some mixed feelings, but a time for change had come and was probably overdue. But to besmirch this man's good name as he served his country in the Navy during the 1950s is really out of line. He was the oldest and youngest man to hold the position of Secretary of Defense. The man loved his country and did the best he could. Nothing like Monday morning quarterbacks to make him out to be a pariah!

Rumsfeld has a personality that I generally don't gravitate to. He is, in sports parlances, similar to Bill Parcells, Pat Reilly, and Bobby Knight, three guys I can't stand. Although Reilly is a bit more congenial as opposed to the other two men who exude arrogance at seemingly every moment.

Rummy was an in-your-face type of guy, he got up five days a week and played squash first thing in the morning, at the age of 74 no less.

From what I have read over the years, the generals in the military generally don't like the whole idea of Special Forces. Some of the traditionalists see it as too much like Rambo. But things change, the world has changed. There is no more Soviet Union but a much more fragmented enemy.

I kind of feel bad for Rumsfeld, but he's got plenty of money and has been incredibly successful in life. But he took an endless amount of criticism since he was sworn in five years ago. He got no credit for the good that was done in Afghanistan, or Iraq for that matter.

History, will view this man favorably and will see him as a visionary, hardheaded yes, but not a stupid man. I think he will actually be missed when all is said and done.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Dems Win But We Will All Lose

WARNING: DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF FACING REALITY.

My fellow Americans, I regret to inform you that although the Democrats won control of the House of Representatives last night, that you and I are the real losers. This is a very grim day for America and her allies, and I fear that the worst is yet to come.

I have added the Department of Homeland Security to my links section. I would strongly suggest that you go to the DHS website and click on 'prevention and protection,' because I believe that within the next 90 days we will be hit with a terrorist attack that will be beyond our worst nightmares.

By the end of this weekend, I will make sure that I have a kit at home at the ready for not if, but when, this catastrophic attack occurs. Let me make it as clear as possible: I have no doubts, but only pray that I am wrong. The West is in grave danger now, terrorists know we are very much divided. "United we stand, divided we fall." We, the West, are about to fall.

In fact it has already begun:

Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal said Wednesday that a truce with Israel is finished and his group's militants can resume fighting following an Israeli tank attack that killed 18 Palestinians.

Militants will answer the deaths with "deeds, not words," Mashaal told a news conference in the Syrian capital.

From World Net Daily: Terror groups in the Gaza Strip, including militants from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, warned today they may attack U.S. interests in the Middle East.

Hamas' so-called "military wing" released a statement, the first of its kind, calling on Arabs and Muslims to attack American targets in the Middle East in response to an Israeli artillery strike today that killed at least 19 Palestinians.

"The U.S. provides political and logistical cover for the crimes committed by the Zionist occupation, and it must be blamed for the Beit Hanoun massacres," the Hamas military wing said in a statement.

Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah: "When we were young, I cannot forget the sight of American forces leaving Vietnam, and the Americans abandoning their Vietnamese allies, I anticipate the same for our region."

The terrorists are emboldened by what they see as a country about to come apart at the seems.

Saddam Hussein was right when he said we would come in and be very successful at the beginning, but eventually the folks in this country would wear down.

If you do a search on Google or Yahoo, type in "Bin Laden's Letter To America" which he wrote in 2002. He explains why he and the Islamists attack us and why our society is so decrepit. He also predicts that America will run away when the going gets tough.

Don Rumsfeld, the only man to serve as Defense Secretary under two Presidents (Bush and Ford) resigned today. I think it is very difficult to make such a substantial change like this in the middle of a war and think about it, what kind of message does this send to our troops?

Get ready folks for Nancy Pelosi and San Fransisco politics. Get ready for endless indictments and an attempt at impeachment.

Quite often I hear people say that the Iraq war is a recruiting ground for new terrorists. But being repeatedly attacked as we were throughout the 1990s by al-Qaeda and prior to that by Hezbollah is never mentioned as a recruitment tool. I believe that although our country is being protected pretty well by law enforcement, I think that the real reason we have not been attacked is that al-Qaeda has to top 9/11. That a smaller attack, although deadly, would show the terrorist network to be less potent, and therefore not as attractive to potential suicide bombers.

How many terrorists were produced as a result of September 11, 2001? How many were produced after seeing tapes and coverage on CNN of American soldiers being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu and then our "fearless leader" former President Bill Clinton taking our troops out as soon as he could, because he could. We ran out of Lebanon in 1984 under President Reagan. Former President Jimmy Carter stopped supporting the Shah of Iran which led to his ouster by Ayollah Khomeini and his firebrand of shiites which we are now dealing with today.

With President George H.W. Bush at the helm, we told Iraqis to rise up against Saddam Hussein at the end of Gulf War I, only we did not back them and left them to be slaughtered. We did not support the mujahideen, or holy warriors, in Afghanistan who so bravely defeated and chased the Soviet Union in the 1980s. The U.S. left and ultimately that country fell into the hands of the Taliban. We not only stopped supporting these people, but we left them with millions of dollars of our military equipment. Our history of leaving prematurely has fueled hatred for us. But I do not blame us entirely, the fault lies with the terrorists.

Keep in mind that when we left Vietnam what occurred with the killing fields and the slaughtering committee by Pol Pot and company. Is it out of the realm of possibility that something of this nature could occur in Iraq if we leave? Thus not only resulting in the deaths of so many but fueling anti-Americanism as well.

If we leave Iraq and Iran gets control of that country and their oil. Will that enable them to finish their quest for nuclear weapons? This most certainly would then trigger an arms race in the Middle East where Saudi Arabia and Egypt would be looking to quickly obtain nukes.

President George W. Bush has made mistakes, but the one issue he has right is the War On Terror. The voters failed to see that last night, or perhaps, the GOP did a poor job in selling themselves. I suppose the lack of a real policy on illegal immigration and spending money like a drunken sailor was too much for the Republican party's base. Because it was obviously not the scandals that plagued some of the GOP. Because God knows how Americans overlook scandals. For example, New Yorkers reelected crooked Alan Hevesi as State Comptroller.

Is it scary that a $25 million dollar reward has been offered for UBL and there hasn't even been a sniff of him? Should we not be worried that in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks that the most popular name mothers gave to their newborn in the Middle East was Osama?

Believe it or not UBL actually took heat throughout the Muslim world because some thought the 9/11 attacks to be "premature." According to Muslim law, UBL needed approval for such a large scale attack as the one committed against New York and Washington. He got that approval from blind sheik Omar Abdul-Rahman, who now sits in jail for his role in the plot to blow up New York City landmarks. But the attacks were considered premature because it then brought attention to the problem of Muslim extremism, that if Bin Laden had waited something much larger could have been done.

Here is where the scary stuff comes in, Osama bin Laden now has religious approval to use a nuclear device against Americans, says the former head of the CIA unit charged with tracking down the Saudi terrorist, Michael Scheuer.

Let's throw this into the ring as well, a story which was reported on CNN but got little pub elsewhere:

A Pakistani journalist says that his sources in al Qaeda and the Taliban are claiming that nuclear material has already been smuggled across the Mexican border into the U.S. and that an operation bigger than 9/11 will be carried out.

Hamid Mir, who is the only journalist ever to interview both Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri, claims that he learned this information on a recent trip to Afghanistan in September.

A man called Adnan Al-Shukri Jumaa (Juma, Jumah) is presently in the U.S. and has been assigned the task of detonating the nuclear material. The report does not say whether an actual nuclear bomb was smuggled in or only material to be used for a 'dirty bomb'.

This was supposed to have happened during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which ended last month. I believe now that the U.S. is going to be so divided and so bogged down at home, we are a ripe target. I also believe that this is why UBL has not sent one of those tapes to be aired on television in quite a while. He did not want to help the Republicans in any way, as he clearly did in the 2004 Presidential election.

Iraq is a struggle, no question about that. But it is the central front in the War On Terror. If we pull out in Iraq, which I have no doubt that the Democrats will do such a thing, we are really in big trouble.

Bin Laden has become "been forgotten" it seems. The threat against the homeland seems like an ancient memory. But the jihadists have exhibited patience in the past and they always come back. Again, I strongly urge each and every one of you to prepare for the worst. I don't like to be an alarmist, but don't call me when the bombs go off.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Crazy Like A Saddam

On Sunday I was watching the Fox News Channel and Dan Rather was being interviewed. The relevance of a Q & A session with Mr. Rather was that he was the last American journalist to have chatted with Saddam Hussein. Rather came off as being extremely arrogant and very angry. He stated several times that "The Butcher of Bagdhad" was not crazy, but very calculated. Repeatedly he said that Saddam was a cold-hearted killer, but in no way was he crazy.

So that leads me to ask if Saddam isn't/wasn't crazy then who is?

Rather also said that he felt Mr. Hussein was a brilliant man, but not crazy.

William Shakespeare, Albert Einstein, and William Butler Yeats are some folks that I equate with brilliance, not the former Baathist party leader.

Is the media so politically slanted that they now won't even refer to Saddam as being a raving lunatic. I don't even see Saddam Hussein as militarily being a smart cookie. Nothing was gained by him invading Iran in 1980, and he only incurred the wrath of the United States by invading Kuwait in 1990, and for that matter kicking out the United Nations' weapons inspectors which led to his removal as Iraqi President by the U.S. in 2003.

The European Union urges that Saddam's life be spared, The New York Times wants the whole thing put off for a while, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair doesn't think Saddam or anyone is deserving of the death penalty, well at least Blair is consistent.

I know that the Iraq war is not very popular to many people, but to elevate Saddam into some realm of genius or that Iraq would be better off with him still in power is asinine. Human Rights Watch estimates that as many as 290,000 Iraqis were killed and placed in mass graves. Meanwhile, British P.M. Blair says the number is closer to 400,000 bodies that have been recovered from the mass graves since the ouster of Saddam. According to USAID:Assistance for Iraq, if these numbers prove accurate, they represent a crime against humanity surpassed only by the Rwandan genocide of 1994 where about 800,000 people were killed; Pol Pot's Cambodian killing fields in the 1970s which led to the deaths of two million people by starvation, torture, or execution; and the Nazi Holocaust of World War II which resulted in the deaths of six million people, the vast majority of which were overwhelmingly Jews.

In fact, currently it is estimated that 400,000 people have been killed by the Islamic mercenaries known as the Janjaweed, in Darfur, causing two million people to flee The Sudan to neighboring countries such as Chad. Many Democrats have stated that the U.S. should send troops to The Sudan, but how come some of these same people did not support the Iraq war? Genocide is genocide, is it not?

In Iraq, there have even been some cases of dead girls being found clutching their dolls inside these graves. But for some unknown reason the media fails on a regular basis to acknowledge the shear brutality of the Saddam regime. Why?

Several years ago I read a book called The Reckoning: Iraq and the Legacy of Saddam Hussein by Sandra Mackey. She described how during the Iran-Iraq war Saddam would invite the widows of fallen Iraqi soldiers to his palaces where he would rape them and quite often would then murder these grieving women.

Saddam was an ego maniac who abused his people at every turn. While, many in Iraq lived in substandard conditions, Hussein tried to rebuild the great palaces in Babylon which belonged to King Nebuchadnezzar during his reign, 605-562 B.C. In an odd twist of fate, Nebuchadnezzar was found at the end of his reign wondering in Babylon's wilderness, talking to himself while looking quite disheveled. Sounds eerily similar to when U.S. troops found Saddam in that spider hole, does it not?

The current American media, Dan Rather included, the far left wing of the Democratic party, and the anti-Americans throughout Europe and elsewhere can paint Saddam any way they want. But history will show these folks to be moronic and short sighted. The world and most importantly the Iraqi people are much better off now that Saddam Hussein won't be hanging around much longer.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Endlessly Wired

I actually was able to pick up the new Who CD on Wednesday. So far I have really only been listening to the first nine songs of Endless Wire and have not gotten to the mini-opera. The first nine songs are home runs which has really surprised me. I am always skeptical when old rockers try to reclaim past glories, but this time there is no letdown. This is not The Who of Who's Next, it's something different, but it is much better than It's Hard, their last album 24 years ago. Of course, this is a much different Who with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend being the only two living members of the original band.

When listening to the new CD I hear bits of Quadrophenia, pieces of Tommy, and pieces of Pete Townshend solo. I guess it is kind of like a collaboration of fragments. Ironically, the first song is called Fragments. I really am enjoying the new CD and it leaves me wanting more!

NHL
The New York Rangers return home to host the Buffalo Sabres about two hours from now. The Blueshirts had a great trip out west going 3-1. But most importantly playing better defensively than they have all season. The question about today's game is who will start in goal, Kevin Weekes or Henrik Lundqvist? I go with the hot goalie and that is Weekes. He won back-to-back on the trip scoring victories over Anaheim and San Jose. Last season Head Coach Tom Renney would ride the hot goalie. I don't see why he should not follow the same format this year. No question Lundqvist is the number one goaltender, but in the current NHL you need two netminders. Hey, Buffalo does it why can't the Rangers?

PURINA DOG CHOW
New York Yankee Johnny Damon turns 33 today. He was spotted last night at a swanky NYC nightclub celebrating his MVP performance in the Bombers' Subway Series win in seven games over the New York Mets. You know, the one that the "phone slammers" guaranteed us. The one that only an evildoer would question the two all knowing radio guys about...

Stay Onsides!

Voters Beware!

So what should we expect this Tuesday? I believe that this Election Day will bring what some may consider to be the unexpected, while others will consider it to be business as usual. I expect the Democrats to take the House, while the Republicans will retain control of the Senate. I expect their to be legal battles galore as the Dems will scream and shout about voter fraud, especially if the Republicans maintain control of Congress.

Interesting that the Democrats got endorsements from terrorist leaders around the world. If you don't believe me click this link below to read more:

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52747

I think most people believe that Iraq is a definite struggle, but pulling out would be utterly disastrous. The terrorists also see Iraq as the central front in the War On Terror.

I have been paying attention lately to the various ways that the media is covering the upcoming election. The New York Times had a story this weekend about how the snipers in Iraq are causing problems for U.S. troops which was of course accompanied by an injured and bloodied U.S. soldier. As if snipers becoming more perilous is something new that just occurred a few days before mid-term elections. I think many folks in the media have engaged in wishful reporting when it comes to the Dems taking control of Congress. But what happens if the polls are wrong? Kerry was beating Bush two years ago according to the polls, so what happened? What will be the reaction this time if the Republicans do not lose as they have been "projected" to by the pollsters.

Will David Gregory's smirk dissolve? Will Maureen Down hate men even more than she already does?

I also found it interesting that any reports about the economy always have a 'but' attached to it.

The same goes for the news of Saddam Hussein being found guilty. This great news was glossed over this morning. I guess it's really not good news for Democrats, so why report it? Amazingly, I saw the Saddam story getting very little publicity on television or at the very least not as much coverage it would get if we were not 48 hours away from the folks going to the polls. Why is that? This should be front and center on every show and should be on the front page of every newspaper tomorrow morning. Somehow I expect it will not be, and so shame on those newspapers.

Conventional wisdom, as opposed to unconventional foolishness, tells me that the Republicans will only lose control of the House. But I have a feeling that they will maintain control of Congress. Don't know why just a feeling. However, quite often, feelings aren't facts.

If the Republicans do come up short on Tuesday they really have no one to blame but themselves. They should have focused on the overall War On Terror, as opposed to just Iraq. The GOP should have focused more on the economy with unemployment rates reaching a five year low at 4.4 %. The Republicans also should have hit the Dems harder by asking them about alternative policies. How would they fight the War On Terror? Do you really want your taxes raised if the Dems get in office? Why do many Dems support sending U.S. troops to Darfur to combat a genocide, when they did not support sending troops to Iraq where Saddam had also committed genocide?

I would ask the Dems about the threat of Islamic extremism which has reared its ugly head in Somalia. What would they do about it?

If as the saying goes the election was really about the economy stupid, the Repubs would win hands down. But this election is about Iraq.

The voters have gotten cheated already because the Dems have not offered an alternative strategy to Iraq. So it pretty much becomes a vote against the current regime as opposed to a vote for a new one. I believe without question that if the Democrats gain control of the Congress they will vote to not financially support the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, effectively causing a withdrawal. I also believe, despite what Nancy Pelosi says, that the Dems will try to impeach President Bush. The shouting for Don Rumsfeld's resignation will be louder than ever?

So much for staying united after 9/11, huh? If control of Congress does goes to the Democrats, Usama Bin Laden most assuredly will have a big smile on his face in a cave somewhere.

I am not saying that the Republicans have not made mistakes, because they have. But the alternative party is so dysfunctional that we will go back to the days of appeasement, rather than confronting our sworn enemies.

Nonetheless, I believe that their will be plenty of legal battles over the various elections throughout the country.

Tuesday should be an interesting day, the days that follow may end up being chaotic.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Mr. Kerry, Hand In Your Resignation!

I want Senator John Kerry to resign. I feel that his comments can not only potentially contribute to hurting the morale of the military, but also can potentially embolden the enemy. When folks make these comments it plays right into al-Qaeda's hands. Because they believe the United States will cut and run.

Usama bin Laden believes that we will not stay united. That America is a paper tiger. His words, not mine.

John Kerry apologized for "not being funny." Oh so if his "joke" had gone over he wouldn't need to say he is sorry. Inappropriateness be dammed! Many lives have been lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. Brave men and women have lost limbs fighting to liberate two nations from oppressive rule. I don't see where anyone can say anything lighthearted about our troops.

As I have said in a previous post, Kerry's words are treasonous. The Massachusetts Senator belittles those who are fighting for him to make such insipid comments.

For the good of the nation, for the betterment of the United States military, Senator Kerry should do the right thing now, and resign.

Endless Wire

I have been super busy recently and today looks like another very busy day beginning in about 20 minutes. So it goes without saying I have not had a chance to grab the new Who, maybe over the weekend.

NHL
The Rangers looked really bad against the Kings Monday night and play a very strong Anaheim team tonight. Changes are in the offing as the Blueshirts are in trade talks with the Chicago Blackhawks. Also, Darius Kasparaitis has been sent to Hartford (AHL) for a conditioning assignment. So New York will have seven d-men on their roster.

Rumors are swirling that Brian Leetch will be signing somewhere soon. I think Philly, not the Rangers. Speculation continues that Colin Campbell will take over as GM of the Flyers. Currently, Campbell is the league's executive vice president and director of hockey operations. Basically, "Soupy" is in charge of handing out suspensions to players who cross the line.

The MSG Network aired the first installment of the "50 Greatest Moments" last night. All I can say is that it is a must see!

NFL
Giants looked very impressive this week against Tampa. This week you worry about a letdown against Houston. But anyone seriously thinking about a trip to the Super Bowl has to find a way to win in Chicago.

Also, New England looks as good as they ever have!

Stay Onsides!

So Is This Who You Want?

By now I am sure we have all heard about what Senator John Kerry had to say. The Democrats strategy in this election was to keep their mouths shut. In fact, it has been reported that their strategy was not even to talk about their plans because it would hurt their case. Basically, the Dems thought that Iraq would hurt the Republicans enough that the voters would be voting more against the GOP as opposed to voting for the Dems. It sort of became a game of who would blink first, because I believed that there was no way in hell the left would be able to remain silent.

Kerry opened his mouth, which is always a dangerous thing. Now he also refuses to apologize. I happened to be flipping around the television this morning and somehow landed on MSNBC only to hear David Gregory stating why he felt Kerry should not apologize and that kudos to Kerry for not backing down. First off, I am pretty sure that I was the only one watching that channel as their ratings are regularly deplorable and with good reason. Their programming is pretty bad to say the least. Secondly, I could expect no better from Gregory who shows himself on a consistent basis to be anti-Bush. Finally, the left has had a history of being anti-military. Just look at past comments from Kerry and all his buddies such as former President Clinton.

Meanwhile, I read quotes from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying that he has "sent people to America to slit the throats of the Zionists." I guess Gregory and Kerry don't get it, and never will. I only wish there was a way that I could block MSNBC so that my remote would instantly take me away from all their blabbering.

As far as the troops go, my friend's brother was a professor at Fairfield University and joined the army after 9/11. He fought in Iraq for well over a year and helped to train the Iraqi police in Baghdad. So all these pencil necked geeks can put that in their pipes and smoke it.

I not only feel that Kerry should apologize, but that he should resign! His remarks are treasonous and in case anyone has forgotten we are at war.

Although the Republicans have made mistakes, I know they have a better understanding of the world we live in and are better at fighting the War On Terror, which is the most important issue of our time and the foreseeable future. I guess we'll soon find out how the rest of the country feels...