Well since I had to work a day shift today, I didn't get to watch any games. Boo. Well, after perusing the news, here's my thoughts.
Florida takes down Kentucky, but Tebow goes out with a concussion. Let's hope he's ok, cause the Gators would have a tough rode without him. As more and more teams get saddled with a loss early on, the Gators can really put themselves in the cat bird seat if they can stay undefeated. They have a bye next week, then a BIG game at LSU on 10/10.
Nice to see both BYU and Utah bounce back from last week. Although, after seeing that Oregon TROUNCE Cal, one might look back at the U's loss against the Ducks and think maybe that wasn't such a bad one. The Utes took down a Big Est foe, Louisville today. Of course the Big East had no business being in the BCS, but every win against a BCS school counts.
BYU bounces back by opening conference play with a convincing win against CSU. Of course the fact that Florida State lost to USF this week makes you scratch your head some more about last week. Oh well, BYU should move back up at least a couple of spots in the polls.
Anyway, both Utah and Florida have byes next week, but BYU will host Utah State. The Aggies played fairly well at Texas A&M last week and took their first win of the season this week against SUU. Still, I look for the Cougars to tune up things against Aggies next week, unless they overlook them like they did FSU. Of course the Aggies are no Florida State, but they're definitely an improved team. They also appear to have a competent coaching staff for the first time since who, John L Smith? If BYU takes USU lightly, you might see the Ags hang close. With so many of my teams out of action next week, that'll be the one I really watch.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Book Thoughts: "Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage" By Noah Trudeau
One of the best historical books I've ever read. I was a little worried at first because I haven't read a lot of Military History, and I'm not totally up to snuff with with a lot of the terms and tactics. Trudeau addresses this right off the bat with a little primer section on military terms and tactics from the era. It helped me a lot, but the reader would still do well to have something of a working knowledge of this area before reading the book.
Still, the military writing didn't dominate the flow of the work at all. This Gettysburg volume does so much more than just go through the "This regiment was at point A and executed action B." It gives the human stories of the young men who were mowed down in battle and really puts a human face on it.
This book also gives a much more comprehensive picture of the first day's fighting than I had read before. Much of the common knowledge of Gettysburg in this day and age centers around the Little Round Top/Devil's Den area on day 2 and Pickett's charge against Cemetery Ridge on Day 3. To be sure, both of these areas are covered and covered exhaustively, but Trudeau's writing helped me get a much better understanding of the first day's fight than I had before. So for that reason alone this volume is worth it.
Trudeau also gives poignant and relevant analysis of the battle, and I really enjoyed the commentary. The other big plus for me was the inclusion of the rest of Lee's campaign that led up to the battle.
If you want pictures of dead bodies and portraitesque pictures of the landscape today, this isn't your book, it doesn't contain a single picture except for many very good maps, and that's more than ok because Trudeau more than accomplishes the most vivid imagery with his words alone. An excellent volume.
Still, the military writing didn't dominate the flow of the work at all. This Gettysburg volume does so much more than just go through the "This regiment was at point A and executed action B." It gives the human stories of the young men who were mowed down in battle and really puts a human face on it.
This book also gives a much more comprehensive picture of the first day's fighting than I had read before. Much of the common knowledge of Gettysburg in this day and age centers around the Little Round Top/Devil's Den area on day 2 and Pickett's charge against Cemetery Ridge on Day 3. To be sure, both of these areas are covered and covered exhaustively, but Trudeau's writing helped me get a much better understanding of the first day's fight than I had before. So for that reason alone this volume is worth it.
Trudeau also gives poignant and relevant analysis of the battle, and I really enjoyed the commentary. The other big plus for me was the inclusion of the rest of Lee's campaign that led up to the battle.
If you want pictures of dead bodies and portraitesque pictures of the landscape today, this isn't your book, it doesn't contain a single picture except for many very good maps, and that's more than ok because Trudeau more than accomplishes the most vivid imagery with his words alone. An excellent volume.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Faux Christianity or Lies My Pastor Told Me.
First off, let me just say I don't think my pastor was a liar. I grew up in a fairly normal church, where neither politics nor whackoism were ever preached from the pulpit. I also highly doubt he would agree with a lot of the Christian whackos out in full force today. Of course, I haven't asked him, so I don't know for sure, but whatever.....
Now I consider myself a Christian. It's been awhile since Mariel and I have been to Mass, but that's mainly because the last time we went, the deacon told us to vote for John McCain because he was pro-life. As if being in favor of bombing poor middle eastern countries back to the stone age is somehow "pro-life." No, we Americans are only "pro-life" when it comes to white, middle to upper-class babies who haven't even been born yet and wouldn't survive a day without the assistance of their mothers. But I digress.......
Anyhoodles, Kirk Cameron and some bonehead named Ray Comfort are planning on celebrating the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's "Origin of the Species" by going around to colleges and universities and giving out free, brand spanking new editions of the book.
No, that doesn't sound quite right does it? Kirk Cameron has evolved from a mere bad actor to a bad actor who is also now a religious nutjob. Fireproof, Kirk? How about Idiotproof?
So Kirk and Ray are giving out these books, but here's the catch, Ray has written a new 50 page intro to the book. In the new intro Ray is going draw the obvious connection between the theory of evolution and Hitler. He's also going to call Darwin and his theory racist and sexist. He's also going to assert that no fossil evidence has ever been found to establish transitional forms. He's going to say DNA proves God exists and Intelligent design is true. Finally he's going to state that the Theory of Evolution espouses the thought that everything that now exists was created from nothing, and that's not scientifically valid.
So where do we start? First off, sure Hitler and the Nazis used Natural Selection to further their views of a genetically superior race. And that's Darwin's fault how? Oh yeah, you know what else Hitler and his cronies used? The Bible and Christianity, firing up German Christians by telling them that the Jews had killed Jesus and were the natural enemy of an Aryan, Christian society. But that's not God's fault now is it...Kirk? What is it with these conservative retards that have to compare everyone that doesn't agree with them to Hitler? It doesn't help your argument.
Darwin and his theory are racist and sexist? Sure Kirk, whatever you say. In all my science classes (and I've had quite a few) I've never heard anything about this. You know where I have heard about racism and sexism though? THE BIBLE. Oh yeah, go back to the Old Testament and watch the Nation of Israel wipe out entire villages and cities who were different than them because "They were God's chosen people." Huh. My God is better than your God so I'm going to kill you and stomp out your civilization. What a great thought. Then of course the racism hammer got turned against the Jews when the Christian Church took power and accused them of killing THE JESUS and started openly persecuting Jewish people.
Sexism? The Bible is one of the most sexist, anti-female books ever to come into existence. Some quotes:
1 Corinthians 11: 8 - 9:
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1 Corinthians 14: 34 - 35:
34. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Timothy 2:11
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
So don't talk to me about sexism from a Christian perspective.
Hmm...let's see, Kirk suggests that no fossil evidence of transitional forms has been found. Oh really? Well in the largest sense, every fossil is transitional, showing a creature that has since changed to something else, but if you really want a few specifics here are a few that are transitional fossils between fish and amphibians. That same site lists many other transitional forms as well, so sorry, Kirk.
DNA is proof that Kirk is right and Darwin is wrong? Not hardly? If this is the case, how come our DNA is so close to that of almost every other primate? How do you explain junk-DNA codons? Oh, you don't. Genetic mutations in and of themselves speak for the process of Natural Selection. Does Kirk know anything about DNA except what he saw on CSI?
Finally, Kirk is going to tell you that Evolution supposes that everything in universe was created from nothing, and that can't be scientifically valid. Well first off, Kirk, Evolution is a biological theory pertaining to life on earth, not the origin of the universe. You're looking for Hawking, not Darwin. Oh yeah, and it's you guys that say that God spouted a few magic words and created everything in the Universe from nothing. So what in the hell are you talking about?
Kirk and Ray are retards. Lying retards. In his video promoting his little project Kirk tells more lies like:
Kids in the USA are not allowed to pray in Public
Kids in the USA are not allowed to open a Bible in a public school
The Gideons are not allowed to distribute Bibles at school
Atheist Darwinist educators are turning our Kids into Athiest Darwinists.
The Ten Commandments can't be displayed in public.
Oh really? Look Kirk, IM'MA LET YOU FINISH BUT.......
I see kids praying in public all time. I personally prayed a ton in school, especially pertaining to passing chemistry tests and hoping God would spare me being humiliated in Gym class.
I see kids open Bibles and Even Book of Mormons in school all the time. I personally carried a small Bible and a Heidelberg Catechism around with me in High School and a Catholic Catechism in college. I was never arrested by the thought police.
I received three Gideon Bibles at school. One in Jr High, one in High School, and one in College. I knew a guy who was in the Gideons. He gave out Bibles at schools all the time. Still I wonder if Kirk would be ok with giving out the Koran at school? I think not.
Oh my, Professors are actually teaching critical thinking that doesn't quite jive with authoritarian religious teaching? THANK GOD. If the Christians don't want an education, stay home. That way I'll have a better chance at a good job.
The Ten Commandments can't be displayed in Public? Whaa..... Maybe not on Government buildings, but you see them all over the place on private property. Besides the ten commandments are NOT the foundation for our legal system. The ancient Roman and Old English legal systems are. Sorry to burst your bubble. While watching a video in response to Kirk, I was introduced to The Wiccan Rede. A very beautiful description of the beliefs of Wicca. Not an offensive thing in there. I bet Kirk wouldn't want it posted on Government buildings or in schools though.
The United States and it's government isn't about Christianity. Period. Founding Fathers=Deists. It's about being able to believe what you want, even if it isn't Christianity and leveling the playing field for those aren't Christian. Our government was NEVER intended to push Christianity. Period.
Besides, if you like the Bible, God wasn't very fond of liars.
If the views of Christianity today are all about pushing a conservative agenda, lying about good science, walking on the backs of poor people, and flat out raping the compassionate teachings of Jesus Christ, I want no part of it. I'd rather be Wiccan, at least they care about others, something Jesus told us to do if you remember correctly.
Father, can you hear me?
How have I let you down?
I curse the day that I was born,
And all the sorrow in the world...
Let me take you to the herding ground,
Where all good men are trampled down,
Just to settle a bet that could not be won,
Between a prideful father and his son.
Well you guard me now for I cant see,
A reason for this suffering and this long misery.
What if every living soul could be upright and strong?
Well, then I do imagine there will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
When all soldiers lay their weapons down,
Or when all kings and all queens relinquish their crown,
Or when the only true messiah rescues us from ourselves...
Its easy to imagine there will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
There will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
Now I consider myself a Christian. It's been awhile since Mariel and I have been to Mass, but that's mainly because the last time we went, the deacon told us to vote for John McCain because he was pro-life. As if being in favor of bombing poor middle eastern countries back to the stone age is somehow "pro-life." No, we Americans are only "pro-life" when it comes to white, middle to upper-class babies who haven't even been born yet and wouldn't survive a day without the assistance of their mothers. But I digress.......
Anyhoodles, Kirk Cameron and some bonehead named Ray Comfort are planning on celebrating the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's "Origin of the Species" by going around to colleges and universities and giving out free, brand spanking new editions of the book.
No, that doesn't sound quite right does it? Kirk Cameron has evolved from a mere bad actor to a bad actor who is also now a religious nutjob. Fireproof, Kirk? How about Idiotproof?
So Kirk and Ray are giving out these books, but here's the catch, Ray has written a new 50 page intro to the book. In the new intro Ray is going draw the obvious connection between the theory of evolution and Hitler. He's also going to call Darwin and his theory racist and sexist. He's also going to assert that no fossil evidence has ever been found to establish transitional forms. He's going to say DNA proves God exists and Intelligent design is true. Finally he's going to state that the Theory of Evolution espouses the thought that everything that now exists was created from nothing, and that's not scientifically valid.
So where do we start? First off, sure Hitler and the Nazis used Natural Selection to further their views of a genetically superior race. And that's Darwin's fault how? Oh yeah, you know what else Hitler and his cronies used? The Bible and Christianity, firing up German Christians by telling them that the Jews had killed Jesus and were the natural enemy of an Aryan, Christian society. But that's not God's fault now is it...Kirk? What is it with these conservative retards that have to compare everyone that doesn't agree with them to Hitler? It doesn't help your argument.
Darwin and his theory are racist and sexist? Sure Kirk, whatever you say. In all my science classes (and I've had quite a few) I've never heard anything about this. You know where I have heard about racism and sexism though? THE BIBLE. Oh yeah, go back to the Old Testament and watch the Nation of Israel wipe out entire villages and cities who were different than them because "They were God's chosen people." Huh. My God is better than your God so I'm going to kill you and stomp out your civilization. What a great thought. Then of course the racism hammer got turned against the Jews when the Christian Church took power and accused them of killing THE JESUS and started openly persecuting Jewish people.
Sexism? The Bible is one of the most sexist, anti-female books ever to come into existence. Some quotes:
1 Corinthians 11: 8 - 9:
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1 Corinthians 14: 34 - 35:
34. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Timothy 2:11
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
So don't talk to me about sexism from a Christian perspective.
Hmm...let's see, Kirk suggests that no fossil evidence of transitional forms has been found. Oh really? Well in the largest sense, every fossil is transitional, showing a creature that has since changed to something else, but if you really want a few specifics here are a few that are transitional fossils between fish and amphibians. That same site lists many other transitional forms as well, so sorry, Kirk.
DNA is proof that Kirk is right and Darwin is wrong? Not hardly? If this is the case, how come our DNA is so close to that of almost every other primate? How do you explain junk-DNA codons? Oh, you don't. Genetic mutations in and of themselves speak for the process of Natural Selection. Does Kirk know anything about DNA except what he saw on CSI?
Finally, Kirk is going to tell you that Evolution supposes that everything in universe was created from nothing, and that can't be scientifically valid. Well first off, Kirk, Evolution is a biological theory pertaining to life on earth, not the origin of the universe. You're looking for Hawking, not Darwin. Oh yeah, and it's you guys that say that God spouted a few magic words and created everything in the Universe from nothing. So what in the hell are you talking about?
Kirk and Ray are retards. Lying retards. In his video promoting his little project Kirk tells more lies like:
Kids in the USA are not allowed to pray in Public
Kids in the USA are not allowed to open a Bible in a public school
The Gideons are not allowed to distribute Bibles at school
Atheist Darwinist educators are turning our Kids into Athiest Darwinists.
The Ten Commandments can't be displayed in public.
Oh really? Look Kirk, IM'MA LET YOU FINISH BUT.......
I see kids praying in public all time. I personally prayed a ton in school, especially pertaining to passing chemistry tests and hoping God would spare me being humiliated in Gym class.
I see kids open Bibles and Even Book of Mormons in school all the time. I personally carried a small Bible and a Heidelberg Catechism around with me in High School and a Catholic Catechism in college. I was never arrested by the thought police.
I received three Gideon Bibles at school. One in Jr High, one in High School, and one in College. I knew a guy who was in the Gideons. He gave out Bibles at schools all the time. Still I wonder if Kirk would be ok with giving out the Koran at school? I think not.
Oh my, Professors are actually teaching critical thinking that doesn't quite jive with authoritarian religious teaching? THANK GOD. If the Christians don't want an education, stay home. That way I'll have a better chance at a good job.
The Ten Commandments can't be displayed in Public? Whaa..... Maybe not on Government buildings, but you see them all over the place on private property. Besides the ten commandments are NOT the foundation for our legal system. The ancient Roman and Old English legal systems are. Sorry to burst your bubble. While watching a video in response to Kirk, I was introduced to The Wiccan Rede. A very beautiful description of the beliefs of Wicca. Not an offensive thing in there. I bet Kirk wouldn't want it posted on Government buildings or in schools though.
The United States and it's government isn't about Christianity. Period. Founding Fathers=Deists. It's about being able to believe what you want, even if it isn't Christianity and leveling the playing field for those aren't Christian. Our government was NEVER intended to push Christianity. Period.
Besides, if you like the Bible, God wasn't very fond of liars.
If the views of Christianity today are all about pushing a conservative agenda, lying about good science, walking on the backs of poor people, and flat out raping the compassionate teachings of Jesus Christ, I want no part of it. I'd rather be Wiccan, at least they care about others, something Jesus told us to do if you remember correctly.
Father, can you hear me?
How have I let you down?
I curse the day that I was born,
And all the sorrow in the world...
Let me take you to the herding ground,
Where all good men are trampled down,
Just to settle a bet that could not be won,
Between a prideful father and his son.
Well you guard me now for I cant see,
A reason for this suffering and this long misery.
What if every living soul could be upright and strong?
Well, then I do imagine there will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
When all soldiers lay their weapons down,
Or when all kings and all queens relinquish their crown,
Or when the only true messiah rescues us from ourselves...
Its easy to imagine there will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
There will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
Music: Pearl Jam--Backspacer
As you know, Pearl Jam is my favorite band and seriously the best band ever. I have been very, very excited for the new album, Backspacer, and I was not disappointed in the slightest.
My Thoughts:
1. Gonna See My Friend. 4/5. Great Rocker to start off the album. Maybe not the most wonderful lyrics or hard hitting song writing, but a good rocker that I wish Pearl Jam would do more of.
2. Got Some. 4/5. Much the same thought as the first track, only a better song for me. They performed this one on The Tonight Show and I loved it. Love the studio version even better. It continues to up the energy on the first part of the album. Lovin' it.
3. The Fixer. 4/5. I actually upped this from 3 stars to 4 after hearing it in place on the album. It fits really well coming after GSMF and Got Some, bringing yet MORE energy and upping the ante on the album as a whole. I didn't like it as well as a single. Some of the lyrics seem just plain dumb, but as I listened to some of what I think Eddie was trying to say, it really started to grow on me.
4. Johnny Guitar. 3/5. The RM board was having a collective orgasm over this song when it went down, but to me, after the energy of the opening three tracks this Matt Cameron song falls a little flat and was the first bummer song for me. Not that it's bad, and certainly it's pretty good compared to say Evacuation, but it just doesn't do much for me and hasn't grown on me.
5. Just Breathe. 5/5. I don't generally give 5 stars to a song, but this is the first of three 5 star songs in a row on this album for me. This is just gorgeous. Would have fit right in on the Into the Wild soundtrack, and I was glad to see some of that side of Ed show up on Backspacer. Very beautiful, moving, simple song.
6. Amongst the Waves. 5/5. This one is my favorite track off the album. Really reminds me of Given to Fly and just takes me to another realm altogether when I hear it. Just....wow. Eddie, get out of my head!
7. Unthought Known. 5/5. I haven't fully digested this wonderful bit of music yet, I just know I love it. Period.
8. Supersonic. 3/5. The comes the let down. To me this is the Big Wave of this album. Usually I like these little rockers but it just doesn't cut it after the last three songs. My least favorite.
9. Speed of Sound. 3/5. No it's not a Coldplay cover. I really looked forward to this one after hearing the stripped down version that was out there. It could have been another Into the Wild type moment, and I just really don't care for the direction the album version takes it. I do like the lyrics though.
10. Force of Nature. 5/5. At first I only gave this one four stars, then I listened to it some more. This baby builds like a category 4 Hurricane and just fucking UNLEASHES itself on the listener on the chorus. Very Anthem like. Play it loud, play it proud.
11. The End. 4/5. Not a perfect song but a perfect fitting end to this wonderful album. It hits you like a velvet hammer and the pregnant pause at the actual end...just leaves you in space going, wow, what an experience.
So where do I put this in the PJ catalog? Well, best album since Yield, hands down. Yield is pretty much my favorite album, always will be. As of right now I'd probably rank them like this:
Yield
Vitalogy
Vs.
Backspacer
Ten
No Code
Avocado
Riot Act
Binaural
It may end up taking 3rd place as well.
As far as the band's later work (Post Yield) this is clearly the best for me anyway. Binaural had the dark feel and just never caught on for me save a few songs. Riot Act started out well but didn't age all that well (though LBC remains one of my favorite songs). I did like Avocado more than a lot of fans seemed to, particularly the rockers like WWS and Life Wasted (both of which rock live). This album has the balance that those three previous albums lacked. Perhaps because in the post Bush era, Eddie seems to be somewhat unencumbered by politics. We liberals all love the protest songs, but they get old, and when the protest ends and some change has come, they seem dated and perhaps overbearing, even though they were relevant for the time and place they were written in.
When all is said and done, this is a gigantic return to form in my eyes,and I believe it will be for other fans as well. If you want another Ten, it's not for you, but if you want something that seems to be a plausible evolution of the Yield sound, check it out....2010 watch it go to the fire!
My Thoughts:
1. Gonna See My Friend. 4/5. Great Rocker to start off the album. Maybe not the most wonderful lyrics or hard hitting song writing, but a good rocker that I wish Pearl Jam would do more of.
2. Got Some. 4/5. Much the same thought as the first track, only a better song for me. They performed this one on The Tonight Show and I loved it. Love the studio version even better. It continues to up the energy on the first part of the album. Lovin' it.
3. The Fixer. 4/5. I actually upped this from 3 stars to 4 after hearing it in place on the album. It fits really well coming after GSMF and Got Some, bringing yet MORE energy and upping the ante on the album as a whole. I didn't like it as well as a single. Some of the lyrics seem just plain dumb, but as I listened to some of what I think Eddie was trying to say, it really started to grow on me.
4. Johnny Guitar. 3/5. The RM board was having a collective orgasm over this song when it went down, but to me, after the energy of the opening three tracks this Matt Cameron song falls a little flat and was the first bummer song for me. Not that it's bad, and certainly it's pretty good compared to say Evacuation, but it just doesn't do much for me and hasn't grown on me.
5. Just Breathe. 5/5. I don't generally give 5 stars to a song, but this is the first of three 5 star songs in a row on this album for me. This is just gorgeous. Would have fit right in on the Into the Wild soundtrack, and I was glad to see some of that side of Ed show up on Backspacer. Very beautiful, moving, simple song.
6. Amongst the Waves. 5/5. This one is my favorite track off the album. Really reminds me of Given to Fly and just takes me to another realm altogether when I hear it. Just....wow. Eddie, get out of my head!
7. Unthought Known. 5/5. I haven't fully digested this wonderful bit of music yet, I just know I love it. Period.
8. Supersonic. 3/5. The comes the let down. To me this is the Big Wave of this album. Usually I like these little rockers but it just doesn't cut it after the last three songs. My least favorite.
9. Speed of Sound. 3/5. No it's not a Coldplay cover. I really looked forward to this one after hearing the stripped down version that was out there. It could have been another Into the Wild type moment, and I just really don't care for the direction the album version takes it. I do like the lyrics though.
10. Force of Nature. 5/5. At first I only gave this one four stars, then I listened to it some more. This baby builds like a category 4 Hurricane and just fucking UNLEASHES itself on the listener on the chorus. Very Anthem like. Play it loud, play it proud.
11. The End. 4/5. Not a perfect song but a perfect fitting end to this wonderful album. It hits you like a velvet hammer and the pregnant pause at the actual end...just leaves you in space going, wow, what an experience.
So where do I put this in the PJ catalog? Well, best album since Yield, hands down. Yield is pretty much my favorite album, always will be. As of right now I'd probably rank them like this:
Yield
Vitalogy
Vs.
Backspacer
Ten
No Code
Avocado
Riot Act
Binaural
It may end up taking 3rd place as well.
As far as the band's later work (Post Yield) this is clearly the best for me anyway. Binaural had the dark feel and just never caught on for me save a few songs. Riot Act started out well but didn't age all that well (though LBC remains one of my favorite songs). I did like Avocado more than a lot of fans seemed to, particularly the rockers like WWS and Life Wasted (both of which rock live). This album has the balance that those three previous albums lacked. Perhaps because in the post Bush era, Eddie seems to be somewhat unencumbered by politics. We liberals all love the protest songs, but they get old, and when the protest ends and some change has come, they seem dated and perhaps overbearing, even though they were relevant for the time and place they were written in.
When all is said and done, this is a gigantic return to form in my eyes,and I believe it will be for other fans as well. If you want another Ten, it's not for you, but if you want something that seems to be a plausible evolution of the Yield sound, check it out....2010 watch it go to the fire!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
College Football Week 3:The Mountain West falls on it's sword.
So....bad, bad news for the Mountain West this week. More on that in a minute.
First off, Go Gators! They took care of business 23-13 against Tennessee. They probably should have won by more than that, but it's an SEC conference game, so yeah. Still, on roll the Gators. Next week: at Kentucky.
Great job by Weber State taking down Idaho State. I think they can make some noise in the FCS this season.
Now, to the Mountain West.
Utah loses at Oregon 31-24. All in all, maybe not that bad. Oregon got ahead and the Utes bravely fought back, but once again turnovers kill the Utes, including two interceptions in the final few minutes while the Utes were trying to get an equalizing score. Oregon is a tough place to play, and it was raining, but if the Utes want to be the power house everyone thinks they are, they've got to be able to beat an unranked Pac 10 team when they're number 18 in the country, You just have to win that game. Oh well, BCS out the window, I forsee further losses for Utah possibly the next two weeks against Louisville and Colorado State, and even more likely against BYU and TCU later in the season. No secret, this is a rebuilding year, but BCS schools don't usually take a break.
BYU was worse. Getting the doors blown off their own dump by an unranked Florida State squad. I think FSU took BYU seriously, I don't think BYU took the Seminoles seriously, and the 'Noles left Provo with Max Hall's scalp. Three interceptions, all at crucial times. Captain Choke indeed. There's not much to say, except that BYU got blasted, which was too bad. It would have been a good thing for college football to have a formidable contingent from the Mountain West.
But that's not to be. Count out the BCS busting hopes of Utah and BYU, even if they both were to win out, which they won't. I don't see either of them beating TCU. Howver, even TCU struggled at times against Texas State, of all schools. Sure they blew them out at the end, but it was closer than it should have been for awhile.
However, the other two MWC flagship programs took a big hit today, and the damage is bad. All that good will? Gone. Erased by a particularly bad loss on BYU's part which will just bring out the chants of "overrated." The pollsters will think twice about putting them that high again. Seems the victory over OU was a fluke, and Max Hall still can't win the big game. The rest of the college football world will regard the Mountain West as not making it's case. These are games you have to win to get into the BCS, period. So, Ute and Cougar fans, shelve it for this year, you're done.
As for other games of note, way to go Washington taking down USC! I also watched a great game featuring Cal and Minnesota this morning, where Jahvid Best scored 5 touchdowns. Look for Cal to move up with ranked teams ahead of them taking tough losses.
Utah will almost certainly drop out of the Top 25, and I suspect BYU to fall in between 21-25, if not out all together.
Next up--
Utah vs. Lousiville
BYU vs. Colorado State
Florida at Kentucky
I was 3-1 in my picks posted on Facebook today. Not bad.
First off, Go Gators! They took care of business 23-13 against Tennessee. They probably should have won by more than that, but it's an SEC conference game, so yeah. Still, on roll the Gators. Next week: at Kentucky.
Great job by Weber State taking down Idaho State. I think they can make some noise in the FCS this season.
Now, to the Mountain West.
Utah loses at Oregon 31-24. All in all, maybe not that bad. Oregon got ahead and the Utes bravely fought back, but once again turnovers kill the Utes, including two interceptions in the final few minutes while the Utes were trying to get an equalizing score. Oregon is a tough place to play, and it was raining, but if the Utes want to be the power house everyone thinks they are, they've got to be able to beat an unranked Pac 10 team when they're number 18 in the country, You just have to win that game. Oh well, BCS out the window, I forsee further losses for Utah possibly the next two weeks against Louisville and Colorado State, and even more likely against BYU and TCU later in the season. No secret, this is a rebuilding year, but BCS schools don't usually take a break.
BYU was worse. Getting the doors blown off their own dump by an unranked Florida State squad. I think FSU took BYU seriously, I don't think BYU took the Seminoles seriously, and the 'Noles left Provo with Max Hall's scalp. Three interceptions, all at crucial times. Captain Choke indeed. There's not much to say, except that BYU got blasted, which was too bad. It would have been a good thing for college football to have a formidable contingent from the Mountain West.
But that's not to be. Count out the BCS busting hopes of Utah and BYU, even if they both were to win out, which they won't. I don't see either of them beating TCU. Howver, even TCU struggled at times against Texas State, of all schools. Sure they blew them out at the end, but it was closer than it should have been for awhile.
However, the other two MWC flagship programs took a big hit today, and the damage is bad. All that good will? Gone. Erased by a particularly bad loss on BYU's part which will just bring out the chants of "overrated." The pollsters will think twice about putting them that high again. Seems the victory over OU was a fluke, and Max Hall still can't win the big game. The rest of the college football world will regard the Mountain West as not making it's case. These are games you have to win to get into the BCS, period. So, Ute and Cougar fans, shelve it for this year, you're done.
As for other games of note, way to go Washington taking down USC! I also watched a great game featuring Cal and Minnesota this morning, where Jahvid Best scored 5 touchdowns. Look for Cal to move up with ranked teams ahead of them taking tough losses.
Utah will almost certainly drop out of the Top 25, and I suspect BYU to fall in between 21-25, if not out all together.
Next up--
Utah vs. Lousiville
BYU vs. Colorado State
Florida at Kentucky
I was 3-1 in my picks posted on Facebook today. Not bad.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
College Football Week 2
So I don't just talk about serious stuff like politics. I'm really trying to get back into the swing of things in football this year, both college and the NFL.
After spending time in Florida, I was impressed with the Gator nation, so I now pull for them as my top team. I also keep tabs on BYU and Utah, the local favorites. So most of my comments will be confined to those teams.
Well, what can you say about Florida? They destroyed Troy 56-6. No biggie. Just a tune up for Tebow and Co.
I was really impressed with BYU again, I saw most of this game. BYU moved the ball pretty much at will, though Tulane managed to keep them out of the endzone for a lot of the first half. The Cougars righted the ship in the second half. Good game. An inferior opponent for sure, but still a non-conference win on the road.
Utah did NOT take care of business against San Jose State. Sure, SJSU is probably better than people give them credit for, and it was a road game, but two costly turnovers and what, two missed field goals? Last year the kicking game won close games for the Utes. This year, it might cost them a close game if t hey don't remedy it. I think Utes fans have a reason to wonder if they can beat TCU or BYU at this point.
On a side note, how did Weber screw themselves out of the biggest win in school history? Grr....
Also Mike, Clint, and I caught the end of the Notre Dame/Michigan game at work. What a finish! I hate Notre Dame.
I also took in quite a bit of Central Michigan/Michigan State. Good game, good finish, and a minor upset, though I do think Central is a good team. When does Michigan State do ANYTHING except underachieve?
Next up for Utah is Oregon. BSU took care of them last week, but they hung on to take out a Big Ten team in Purdue this week, so the Utes will have to play better than they did this week.
BYU gets Florida State at home next week, The Seminoles tuned up a bit this week against Jville State. They're an athletic team thatshould give BYU a nice test.
Next up for the Gators is an SEC clash with Tennessee, who lost to UCLA this week. A better test for Florida than Troy, but a game the Gators should win at home in the swamp.
Tomorrow starts the NFL!
After spending time in Florida, I was impressed with the Gator nation, so I now pull for them as my top team. I also keep tabs on BYU and Utah, the local favorites. So most of my comments will be confined to those teams.
Well, what can you say about Florida? They destroyed Troy 56-6. No biggie. Just a tune up for Tebow and Co.
I was really impressed with BYU again, I saw most of this game. BYU moved the ball pretty much at will, though Tulane managed to keep them out of the endzone for a lot of the first half. The Cougars righted the ship in the second half. Good game. An inferior opponent for sure, but still a non-conference win on the road.
Utah did NOT take care of business against San Jose State. Sure, SJSU is probably better than people give them credit for, and it was a road game, but two costly turnovers and what, two missed field goals? Last year the kicking game won close games for the Utes. This year, it might cost them a close game if t hey don't remedy it. I think Utes fans have a reason to wonder if they can beat TCU or BYU at this point.
On a side note, how did Weber screw themselves out of the biggest win in school history? Grr....
Also Mike, Clint, and I caught the end of the Notre Dame/Michigan game at work. What a finish! I hate Notre Dame.
I also took in quite a bit of Central Michigan/Michigan State. Good game, good finish, and a minor upset, though I do think Central is a good team. When does Michigan State do ANYTHING except underachieve?
Next up for Utah is Oregon. BSU took care of them last week, but they hung on to take out a Big Ten team in Purdue this week, so the Utes will have to play better than they did this week.
BYU gets Florida State at home next week, The Seminoles tuned up a bit this week against Jville State. They're an athletic team thatshould give BYU a nice test.
Next up for the Gators is an SEC clash with Tennessee, who lost to UCLA this week. A better test for Florida than Troy, but a game the Gators should win at home in the swamp.
Tomorrow starts the NFL!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Are we done with 9-11?
I realize I may get flamed into the pit of hell for even bothering to posit this, but I'm interested in what people think.
Are we done with 9-11?
I'm not being crass, I'm just observing. For the first few years after 9-11-01, the anniversary remembrances were always quite poignant, and always televised, usually taking up the entire morning block on most TV channels.
Now, not so much. It seems as a nation we've moved on a bit. I saw a couple of little blurbs on TV and the net today, but honestly, had I not looked at the calendar I probably wouldn't have known it was 9-11.
Now of course, the previous administration barely let a day go by without a mention of 9-11, Code Orange, or "The war on terror." Honestly when I think back on that era, it creeps me out a bit. It's a little weird to remember my heart going into my throat just a little bit the first time they raised the threat level to Code Orange. I even remember finding an abandoned backpack at work and everybody freaking out because they were convinced it was dirty bomb.
It's obvious that the most positive days of the Bush years will be remembered as those weeks and months immediately after 9-11 when he stood on the rubble of the twin towers with his bullhorn and championed the American resolve from the halls of Congress. These are moments that, love Bush or hate him, will be forever etched in American History, up there with Pearl Harbor, JFK in Dallas, Gettysburg, and Yorktown.
But what about now? We remember in passing, most of us. I saw a few mentions on Facebook today, but obviously we're not in the same wrist-slashing sorrowful mood we were in 5 or 6 years back.
So what should we do with this day, September 11? Should we make it a Federal Holiday like Memorial Day? Or does that trivialize it, just giving people across the country one more excuse to have a late summer BBQ? Should we just let it ebb throughout the coming years?
Personally, I think we have to move on. The best way to show American resolve is keep up our day to day lives. Let people remember 9-11 in their own way, let people go out and do service projects, let them go on Youtube and find the original news footage. Don't make it a holiday though. Don't let these people's deaths become another excuse for the kids to be out of school. Don't let the sacredness of that original memory become an excuse for moving the observance to the closest Friday or Monday so that Federal workers get a 3 day weekend. To me, that's not proper.
I'll never forget, most people won't, but let's not let those poignant memories keep us from dealing with the present and looking to the future.
Are we done with 9-11?
I'm not being crass, I'm just observing. For the first few years after 9-11-01, the anniversary remembrances were always quite poignant, and always televised, usually taking up the entire morning block on most TV channels.
Now, not so much. It seems as a nation we've moved on a bit. I saw a couple of little blurbs on TV and the net today, but honestly, had I not looked at the calendar I probably wouldn't have known it was 9-11.
Now of course, the previous administration barely let a day go by without a mention of 9-11, Code Orange, or "The war on terror." Honestly when I think back on that era, it creeps me out a bit. It's a little weird to remember my heart going into my throat just a little bit the first time they raised the threat level to Code Orange. I even remember finding an abandoned backpack at work and everybody freaking out because they were convinced it was dirty bomb.
It's obvious that the most positive days of the Bush years will be remembered as those weeks and months immediately after 9-11 when he stood on the rubble of the twin towers with his bullhorn and championed the American resolve from the halls of Congress. These are moments that, love Bush or hate him, will be forever etched in American History, up there with Pearl Harbor, JFK in Dallas, Gettysburg, and Yorktown.
But what about now? We remember in passing, most of us. I saw a few mentions on Facebook today, but obviously we're not in the same wrist-slashing sorrowful mood we were in 5 or 6 years back.
So what should we do with this day, September 11? Should we make it a Federal Holiday like Memorial Day? Or does that trivialize it, just giving people across the country one more excuse to have a late summer BBQ? Should we just let it ebb throughout the coming years?
Personally, I think we have to move on. The best way to show American resolve is keep up our day to day lives. Let people remember 9-11 in their own way, let people go out and do service projects, let them go on Youtube and find the original news footage. Don't make it a holiday though. Don't let these people's deaths become another excuse for the kids to be out of school. Don't let the sacredness of that original memory become an excuse for moving the observance to the closest Friday or Monday so that Federal workers get a 3 day weekend. To me, that's not proper.
I'll never forget, most people won't, but let's not let those poignant memories keep us from dealing with the present and looking to the future.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Some thoughts on politics, troops, and school.
If you read my facebook or my wife's for that matter, you'll see that we're both pretty hardcore liberals. We don't try to hide it. Lately, we've both posted some articles critical of the radical right wing of the Republican party wanting to keep children home from school on Tuesday so that they aren't "indoctrinated" into evil liberal socialism by Barack Obama.
Honestly, I think that idea is just plain idiotic, but more on that in a minute.
My wife received a message in response to one of her posts critical of people who would keep their kids home for this reason. The basic thrust of the response was "Isn't it great that in America, we have troops that go out and fight so you can belittle people just because they don't agree with you?"
Yes, quite frankly, that is the great thing about America.
I'm not advocating that we should be hurling personal insults at each other from across the political aisle. That's not productive. However, we're all human and in the heat of a passionate debate we all slip sometimes. I'm guilty of it, and I know plenty of people, both democrats and republicans who are guilty of it as well.
But in point of fact, yes, we have had members of the armed forces die for my right to think certain people are just plain stupid. You know what? Not all soldiers are conservative. My grandfather fought in World War II. He was a medic and was in Europe when the Nazi death caps were opened and tons of people needing medical attention flooded out. He saw all the horrors first hand. He saw the emaciated Jews. He watched as army surgeons used meatball surgery to try to put people back together. You know something else he saw, something that bothered him until the day he died? As his unit advanced further into Nazi territory, he saw a group of American soldiers gang rape a German girl because "The Nazi bitch had it coming." What a wonderfully American sentiment! At any rate, he was a lifelong liberal that despised pretty much anything that ever came out of the mouth of a Republican and he was fond of saying that he was a veteran so nobody could tell him to think otherwise.
So don't pull out the "Troops are out their fighting for you card." The "troops" are just as likely to be liberals as they are conservatives. Oh, and they're not wonderful angels who would never do anything wrong either. Sorry.
And don't tell me you're right because God says so. My God is different than yours, I'm pretty positive. So if I don't believe in your God, why should I follow what he or she says? Bringing God in to defend your argument is a non-starter, period.
At any rate, yes, keeping your kids home from school so they don't have to hear Obama's speech is stupid. When I was in school, I had to listen to speeches from both Ronald Reagan and George Bush the First. Nobody ever complained. So why is it ok for a Republican to talk directly to school kids and not a democrat? Because you see a chance to play politics, that's why. If a Republican president were giving a speech to students, I'd make sure my kid was there for no other reason than to show him that people have different opinions and that people think differently. Trust me folks, it's not a bad thing to have different opinions.
It's just a bad thing to tell me I'm not entitled to mine because of "god" or "the troops." It's a pity we can't clean up the discourse a little bit in America.
Honestly, I think that idea is just plain idiotic, but more on that in a minute.
My wife received a message in response to one of her posts critical of people who would keep their kids home for this reason. The basic thrust of the response was "Isn't it great that in America, we have troops that go out and fight so you can belittle people just because they don't agree with you?"
Yes, quite frankly, that is the great thing about America.
I'm not advocating that we should be hurling personal insults at each other from across the political aisle. That's not productive. However, we're all human and in the heat of a passionate debate we all slip sometimes. I'm guilty of it, and I know plenty of people, both democrats and republicans who are guilty of it as well.
But in point of fact, yes, we have had members of the armed forces die for my right to think certain people are just plain stupid. You know what? Not all soldiers are conservative. My grandfather fought in World War II. He was a medic and was in Europe when the Nazi death caps were opened and tons of people needing medical attention flooded out. He saw all the horrors first hand. He saw the emaciated Jews. He watched as army surgeons used meatball surgery to try to put people back together. You know something else he saw, something that bothered him until the day he died? As his unit advanced further into Nazi territory, he saw a group of American soldiers gang rape a German girl because "The Nazi bitch had it coming." What a wonderfully American sentiment! At any rate, he was a lifelong liberal that despised pretty much anything that ever came out of the mouth of a Republican and he was fond of saying that he was a veteran so nobody could tell him to think otherwise.
So don't pull out the "Troops are out their fighting for you card." The "troops" are just as likely to be liberals as they are conservatives. Oh, and they're not wonderful angels who would never do anything wrong either. Sorry.
And don't tell me you're right because God says so. My God is different than yours, I'm pretty positive. So if I don't believe in your God, why should I follow what he or she says? Bringing God in to defend your argument is a non-starter, period.
At any rate, yes, keeping your kids home from school so they don't have to hear Obama's speech is stupid. When I was in school, I had to listen to speeches from both Ronald Reagan and George Bush the First. Nobody ever complained. So why is it ok for a Republican to talk directly to school kids and not a democrat? Because you see a chance to play politics, that's why. If a Republican president were giving a speech to students, I'd make sure my kid was there for no other reason than to show him that people have different opinions and that people think differently. Trust me folks, it's not a bad thing to have different opinions.
It's just a bad thing to tell me I'm not entitled to mine because of "god" or "the troops." It's a pity we can't clean up the discourse a little bit in America.
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