Tim Tebow has been the most polarizing figure in college sports for the past few years. Of course for a Gator fan like me, it's easy. He's been a great, great COLLEGE football player (though not as great as people say he is.) Certainly one of the 20 best of all time. Tebow as a football player is great but annoying for fans of teams other than the Gators. And not just because of the worshipping of Tebow that is done by Gator fans and the Media. He is also incredibly fun to watch. He plays a tough and exciting style of football. He also does all that cheering and yelling that is annoying.

What also grates some people about Tebow is that he wears his religiosity on his sleeve (and on the black under his eyes.) Tebow really does great work. At the same time, we hear too much about it. And for a Democrat like me, knowing that Tebow is certainly a conservative Republican who will likely be a politician in the future (Governor of Florida is the least he can aspire to) is a bit dismaying. But that is for later. As a Gator fan, I am enjoying Tebow the football player, and he is a joy to watch. More . . .

Who went shopping today? Who shopped online? The more ads I see, the more I want to just hoard my money. I did succomb to a few items, one of which wasn't on sale. I hope I'm done. I think the best deals are at Amazon Black Friday Deals but they sell out fast. For the foodies among you, you can get a year of Food & Wine for $5.00.

The Christmas lights are going up all over Denver tonight, from the City and County Building, to Union Station, LoDo, Larimer Square, the 16th St. Mall and the Denver Pavillions. Our Mayor is on TV now for the ceremony, and he says when the switch gets flicked, everyone is supposed to make a wish. I'm not sure I can think of one thing to wish for on such short notice.

I hope your holiday weekend is going well, please feel free to share your thoughts. This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

So you thought the football was over for the weekend? No it is just starting. Today, there are 13 college games. Here are my picks:

Louisville (+3) over Rutgers. Temple (-3) over Ohio. Illinois (+21) over Cinncinati. Central Michigan (-13.5) over Western Illinois. Bowling Greeen (-7.5) over Toledo. Kent State (+3) over Buffalo. Akron (-16) over Eastern Michigan. Colorado State (-3) over Wyoming. Memphis (+17) over Tulsa.

The big game in the SEC is the Iron Bowl - Alabama v. Auburn. The game is in Auburn. The Crimson Tide are already in the SEC Championship game next week against Florida. But they must win this game to stay in the National Championship hunt. I like Auburn (+10.5) to keep it close. More . . .

Jane Hamsher of Firedoglake writes tonight of the recent passing of Kobe Mattisse Rose, her beautiful poodle who was the inspiration for the blog. It's one of the most moving posts I've ever read.

I had the privilege of spending a week in CT with Jane, Kobe, Lucy and Katie (here's a pic of what the poodles were like together.) Jane and Kobe were so in sync -- so much a part of each other. She's really hurting, but her post is beautiful -- and about how much he gave her to be thankful for. I can't think of a more uplifting way to end Thanksgiving evening, and I hope you'll all take a few minutes to read it.

R.I.P. Kobe. Jane, we love you.

It's a great Thanksgiving tradition. Radio stations around the country today will play the 18 minute version of Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant, recorded in 1967.

It's a beautiful, sunny day here in Denver. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Let us know how you are spending the holiday. This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Who's already cooking for tomorrow? Who's going elsewhere and not cooking at all?

The Black Friday shopping deals are already available online. Here's a list of stores open both Thursday and Friday, and one of those taking online orders. More tips here. Supposedly, the stores' twitter feeds and facebook pages are the best places for early notice of new deals.

If you find any great deals online, let us know in comments. This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Update: How about that couple that crashed the White House state dinner? [More..]

Turkey Day means football, 3 games in the NFL and one of the college variety.

3 NFL games tomorrow. The traditional games in Detroit and Dallas plus the new NFL Networks game at night. The Lions, who are terrible, have a QB, Matthew Stafford, with a separated shoulder. They are playing the Packers, winners of their last 2. Seems like the Lions always get blown out in this game. I think they will again. I like the Pack (-11).

The Giants travel to Denver. I still do not respect the Broncos. I'll take the G-Men (-6.5). More . .

The top recommended diary at Daily Kos:

You have raised your flag in protest against a troop increase in a war the President, as a candidate, called a "war of necessity." The President didn't hide his feelings from you.

I knew my time alone in support of "finishing the job" in Afghanistan would be shortlived. Welcome to the bandwagon, Obama fans.

This is an Open Thread.

Another hectic day.

This is an Open Thread.

The Iron Chef finale or the Americn Music Awards? I'm watching both, but I'd rather be watching Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters. (No spoilers please until the West coast has had a chance to view it.) I don't think either of tonight's two finalists are up to past Iron Chefs.

I highly recommend AMC's The Prisoner, which re-airs episodes 1 and 2 tonight. There's also Sunday Night Football.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome, TV related or not.

An important week for most teams. For instance, if the Giants lose for the 5th straight time this week, you really can't see them in the playoffs. They play the Falcons today at the Meadowlands. They are 7 point favorites. I think Atlanta (+7) keeps it close.

The J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! have a funny man as coach in Rex Ryan. But the league has been laughing at them now for a month. The Patriots are still discussing Belicheck-4th Down Gate. The Jets have the urgency. I'll take the Jets (+10.5). More . . .

I'm totally into watching AMC's remake of The Prisoner. If you get Comcast On Demand, all six episodes are available for free, to watch any time. I watched four hours last night. Skippy has this review. AMC will air it again starting Sunday if you don't have On Demand.

The other thing I'm following today: The new arrests in Italy in the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the October, 2009 Chicago arrests of David Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana,for involvement in the planned attack on Jyllands-Posten, the Danish newspaper that published the cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed in 2005. The New York Times today has a long feature article on David Headley (formerly known as Daood Gilani). [More...]