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Wednesday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 07:49:54 AM EST
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One day till this year's Game of the Century. Tomorrow I will provide a comprehensive preview of the Florida-Oklahoma game. It's what you would expect from the top college football covering law and politics blog.

It won't be objective of course. Go Gators!

This is an Open Thread.

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    Wednesday Morning Open Thread | 102 comments (102 topical)

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    Boy did I get misled (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by ryanwc on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:22:08 AM EST
    I thought I was in the top college hockey-covering law and politics blog.

    G*damnit. (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by lilburro on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:59:52 AM EST
    Ackerman reports what I suspected might happen:

    Via Josh Marshall, Mark Mazzetti reports for The New York Times that Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-Calif.) choice for CIA director, Steve Kappes, might remain deputy director as part of a plan to mollify the new chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee ahead of confirmation hearings for President-elect Barack Obama's reported pick to head the agency, Leon Panetta:

    Mr. Obama said Tuesday that Mr. Panetta and other members of the new administration would be "committed to breaking with some of the past practices" that had "tarnished the image" of the United States' intelligence agencies.

    But transition officials said Mr. Obama also intended to keep the C.I.A's No. 2 official, Stephen R. Kappes, a highly regarded former Marine officer and agency veteran. The transition officials spoke on condition of anonymity about the personnel move, a plan that could help defuse criticism inside the C.I.A. about Mr. Panetta's own thin background in intelligence.

    Yes, that Steve Kappes. As deputy director, Kappes won't go through any confirmation hearings, so the Abu Omar affair and his role in it -- in whatever capacity -- will remain incomplete, as will his successes in Libya and elsewhere. Of course, the CIA didn't tell Mazzetti what Kappes' own plans for the future are, so this may all be a moot point, but still.

    I wrote a diary last night about Kappes.  He is the guy I was anxious to see leave the CIA.

    UGH.  Looks like Feinstein requested he stay!  Appalling on her part.

    Well, if keeping Kappes (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by brodie on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:12:58 AM EST
    is the price Obama has to pay to get DiFi to smoothly process the nom of Panetta, it's probably worth it.

    Leon would still be calling the shots, and assuming he's as reform-minded as I suspect he is, the reforms Kappes would need to help implement might not sit well with the spook veteran.  After a while, he either submits loyally or he submits his resignation.  And if Panetta finds out the guy is acting in ways inconsistent with official policy, he's gone.

    Parent

    who cares about Feinstein (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by lilburro on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:28:23 AM EST
    Obama could've said he'd ask Panetta to choose another experienced intel operative for his no. 2 (like John Gannon).  

    Kappes has dirty hands.  This is a way of sanctioning those dirty hands, and delaying a proper investigation of the CIA.

    Parent

    DiFi is not the only one not happy (none / 0) (#49)
    by jbindc on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:22:05 AM EST


    Parent
    Sorry - my link went somewhere (none / 0) (#50)
    by jbindc on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:22:36 AM EST
    Try this

    Parent
    Yeah, Rockerfeller, but not (none / 0) (#53)
    by brodie on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:35:09 AM EST
    surprising and, ultimately, probably not that important.  We just need a majority to confirm, and if one or two Dems don't come on board for someone as well-liked on both sides as Panetta, well they are just outing themselves as pro-torture Dems.

    What we're seeing here in some MSM reports about Panetta is the usual CIA-friendly slant the corp media have displayed since, well as long as I've been reading the major papers.  As Bernstein reported 30+ yrs ago in RS, the MSM has been well and fully penetrated for a long time by the Agency.

    I suspect that Obama decided to throw some crumbs to the old guard intel types with Blair for DNI, but wanted to "balance" that one with a reformer for CIA.  Hopefully, after a decent interval, perhaps in a second term but preferably earlier, Obama can find a way to ease out Blair and install someone more in keeping with his campaign pledge to engineer major change.

    Parent

    I'm concerned about (none / 0) (#86)
    by ryanwc on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 04:21:30 PM EST
    a comment from Roberts saying on a question about torture first that he knew that Panetta was committed to changing some things, and second, that he knew Panetta was enough of a pragmatists to do things right for his country.

    Now what the hell did that mean and why couldn't Roberts just say, yeah, he'll end torture and make intel work, rather than suggesting that Panetta might be 'pragmatic' enough to reconsider.

    We'll see.  Panetta's past statements certainly leave little doubt.  But ...

    Parent

    Oh Man, I've heard enough. (none / 0) (#1)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 07:53:02 AM EST
    As much as I dislike the Sooners, I gotta go with the Big-12. Sorry Gators, not this time.

    Good luck BTD (none / 0) (#2)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:01:40 AM EST
    See you 9/19/09!

    Hard to imagine (none / 0) (#3)
    by Steve M on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:20:11 AM EST
    after Oklahoma State and Texas Tech got crushed in their bowls (the latter by a middle-of-the-pack SEC opponent who beat Florida), not to mention Texas barely squeaking by perennial big-game loser Ohio State, that anyone in the Big 12 is prepared to compete on Florida's level.  This looks to be an SEC year.

    Well put (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Slado on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:23:57 AM EST
    SEC (including my Commodores winning first game in 53 years) had a good bowl season despite Alabama choking in the Sugar Bowl.

    FL has a better defense then Oklahoma and a better return game.

    If they don't turn the ball over they will win by 14pts.   Tebow will probalby not outplay Bradford but he won't have to as he will do what he has done all year, provide leadership, make key plays when he has too and distribute the ball to the 4 or 5 speed deamons FL possess on offense.

    If the FL front 4 can get pressure against that huge OK offensive line like Texas did in their matchup Gators should be able to slow down the Sooners.

    Wish I could have gone but the old man promises to take pictures for me at the game.

    Go Gators.

    Parent

    I have no favorite (none / 0) (#34)
    by brodie on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:46:23 AM EST
    except a possible slight personal bias in favor of the team repping the state which went for the Dem over the team from the state which is about as red as they come.

    UF, because of too much speed on both sides of the ball, and because of QB Thibeaux, a talented run-pass threat who's also steady in crunch time, will prevail over a good OU team by 10.

    USC, however, is the best team out there this year, imho.  Too much talent and tremendous depth plus coaching.

    Parent

    Thibeaux ? (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:02:00 AM EST
    You must be Cajun

    Parent
    Alabama did not choke (none / 0) (#39)
    by jb64 on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:51:53 AM EST
    They lost to arguably THE number one team in the nation Utah. No shame in that. Too bad Utah will get no love.

    Parent
    We'll see (none / 0) (#82)
    by jondee on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 03:55:36 PM EST
    my take is that the winner of a round robin series between 'SC, Okla, Fla -- and, what the hell, throw in Texas and Utah -- would be a tough call.

    Parent
    Hmmm (none / 0) (#7)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:25:29 AM EST
    calling the SEC a powerhouse when the Tide got slammed by a mid-major team?

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#9)
    by Steve M on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:31:28 AM EST
    an undefeated mid-major team, last I checked.  Or is it your position that since Utah is not in a major conference, they cannot possibly be a good team and it must be an embarrassment to lose to them?

    Parent
    The underlying mechanics of the BCS selection (none / 0) (#14)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:46:13 AM EST
    process speaks for itself. Utah, though to be congratulated on an excellent season, was ranked lower thank the Tide, according to the BCS. It is only an observation. And since most of the folks here seem to favor the SEC, I was compelled to stick up for my Big-12.  

    Parent
    I can certainly understand that (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Steve M on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:20:26 AM EST
    Look on the bright side, you could be like me, forced to declare your allegiance to the Big Ten (which really was 10 in my day).  I've actually been as big a critic of blind SEC triumphalism as anyone, I just think the evidence suggests that this year they're better than the other guys.  But don't get cocky, BTD - the Midwest will rise again!

    Parent
    pish! (none / 0) (#11)
    by Klio on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:39:09 AM EST
    Boomer Sooner, baby!

    I've been too busy to talk smack until now, but the PROVOCATIONS have gotten quite out of hand ....

    Cheers,

    Parent

    Buckeyes (none / 0) (#35)
    by sallywally on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:47:29 AM EST
    would have won that game but for one major coaching error on the 3rd down play resulting in a touchdown for Texas. Some idiot OSU coach left the entire backfield empty with "man to man" coverage, and they didn't defend for a touchdown. Amazing! They had held Texas on third downs numerous times, not to mention sacking McCoy and setting him up for lousy passes over and over.

    Also two failed two-point attempts after touchdowns. Should have taken the one-point kick option.

    Some of us here in Ohio are getting tired of poor coaching decisions in the clinches.

    So yes, I know we are still perennial losers, but I don't hold the team responsible for this very close loss. Meh.

    And boo-hoo! So hard to lose in the last 16 seconds.

    Parent

    I sure thought (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Steve M on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:10:48 AM EST
    that OSU regained a lot of credibility for itself and for the Big Ten, even in defeat.  It's rough when it seems like your conference gets blown out in every big game.

    Parent
    Yep to both. (none / 0) (#56)
    by sallywally on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 11:31:46 AM EST
    And all those seniors stayed to try to regain some credibility, too.

    And not sure what happened to Beanie Wells. If he can go pro, he should do it asap, before his injuries totally eliminate that possibility. Show me the money!!!

    Parent

    If that Freshman qb (none / 0) (#83)
    by jondee on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 03:59:36 PM EST
    on Ohio State ever learns to throw the ball, watch out folks!

    Parent
    Dallas ranks number 9 on the list of cities (none / 0) (#5)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:22:18 AM EST
    least desireable to live and work, according to report on Yahoo this morning. And the reason:
    The top negative attributes, according to the survey, were the people--their backgrounds, talents, and perspectives (49%); environment--climate, park space, natural resources (39%); and image (38%).

    Wow, that has to sting for the natives here. I mean, to say that its no fun to live somehwere because of things like unemployment, climate, traffic, crime, are one thing. But to list people, backgrounds (whatever that means) and perspectives as the primary reason for wanting to split, well that's quite another matter. This only confirms my observations in the last year since moving here -- there is a certain flair of arrogance inherent to the native citizenry here.

    And Dub is soon to become a resident. There has to be some irony there somewhere. I just haven't quite figured it out yet.

    Then don't go! They won't miss you! (none / 0) (#13)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:45:43 AM EST
    Yankees are always complaining about the South...

    But as Brother Dave said, "Did you ever hear of anyone retiring to the North?"

    Parent

    Yes (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by cal1942 on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:17:43 AM EST
    It's actually more common than you think.

    Two of my cousins bought homes on beautiful lakes in Michigan's northern lower peninsula. Others I know moved to the upper peninsula after retiring.

    I don't know what the percentages are but a considerable number of people do indeed move north for retirement.

    Parent

    So they left the south (none / 0) (#59)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 12:37:29 PM EST
    and moved to Michigan?

    Or did they move from another Northern state??

    Parent

    I've seen many come back north (none / 0) (#63)
    by Cream City on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 12:51:05 PM EST
    -- sometimes because they miss the kids and grandkids, sometimes because they age and need the nearby care of the kids and grandkids.  They just can't keep up with the need to put up plywood on the windows several times a year for hurricanes.

    But some come back sooner, just because they miss the culture of the cities.  There's a sizeable movement back to being close to urban campuses, for all the concerts and lectures and library access and the like.  There's even a movement to moving onto urban campuses -- and expect that to grow as dorms start to empty, with the declining enrollments due to demographics (and accelerated now by economics).

    Parent

    I understand (none / 0) (#90)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 04:57:11 PM EST
    I missed Denver for several years.

    But I have discovered a few weeks in LA or SF or Den or LV can solve that..

    Many people are now moving to the midsouth area. Low taxes, mild winters and yes some culture..

    Parent

    Midsouth? Which cities? (none / 0) (#95)
    by Cream City on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 05:26:39 PM EST
    as my spouse and I contemplate a middling sort of decision some day; he comes from a warmer clime and keeps telling me I didn't grow up in God's country.  

    So far, about all that I think I could like in the South would be the research triangle area of campuses.  People talk about Austin, but I'm a bit averse to Texas.  Maybe St. Louis or some middling city such as that, although I've always vowed never to live in a former slave state.  And I'd still have to flee north to get away from ungodly summer heat and humidity -- and I think that the economy has done in hopes of two homes.  So what's midsouth?

    And yes, he has taught me to survive seasonal affective disorder by getting away at this time of year for a week on a beach -- but the economy also did in that getaway this year.  So nw I just have to hang on for Spring.  In four months -- or more -- here.  Sigh.

    Parent

    St Louis is the midwest... (none / 0) (#96)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 06:34:19 PM EST
    Little Rock, Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Tr-Cities, Greensboro, Winston Salem, Hickory, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, Charleston, Atlanta, Birmingham, Jackson MS, Vicksburg, Lexington, KY.

    And lots of places in between. I would live in none of the cities, but all have nice 'burbs.

    I didn't go further south because of hurricanes although Charleston fits into that.. Then you have the Phoenix/Tucson area as well as Las Vegas

    And God gave us air conditioning for the heat, and it can get cold, but spring begins in March and winter waits until mid December.

    Parent

    Btw, I know that St. Louis (5.00 / 0) (#100)
    by Cream City on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 07:53:33 PM EST
    is officially in the Midwest -- but as noted, Missouri is just so Southrun to Upper Midwesterners.:-)  So it may be a compromise, and I have relatives there, and it has great universities.

    Plus it also has that cool, historic harbor area.  I so enjoy its history as a French and Metis colony and then as the Gateway to the West. . . .

    Parent

    MO is if you go south, not so much north.. (none / 0) (#101)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:32:20 PM EST


    Parent
    Thanks! But we are intent on city life (none / 0) (#99)
    by Cream City on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 07:51:37 PM EST
    as I had a former life as a burban wife -- and then a burban divorcee, so I was not welcome.  Blecchh.  And we love living near a campus, so the research triangle with some of the cities you list intrigued us.  But others you list are possibilities, too; I'll be putting your list with stacks of other stuff I clip and save for the day . . . although it's farther away by the day in this economy.

    That's okay with me, too, if we never move -- as the very prospect of clearing out this old house sends me under the covers!


    Parent

    Bad Summers (none / 0) (#104)
    by cal1942 on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 11:16:32 PM EST
    Little Rock, Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga

    Beastly hot in the summer. Hell Cincinnati is beastly hot in the summer.

    Phoenix, Tucson - Way past beastly hot in the summer.

    Las Vegas - I never got the appeal from a climate standpoint. I've been there in every month of the year and have to say that the only decent weather is March, April and October.  The months in  between are way too hot and December-February can be damp and chilly. Just not what could be called a vacation paradise.

    My daughter and family lived there for 17 years. The housing bubble financed their move back home.

    And resources in the desert: water a constant problem.

    Parent

    Ah, thanks. (none / 0) (#105)
    by Cream City on Thu Jan 08, 2009 at 07:12:36 AM EST
    And it's hard to explain to my spouse, but as a Great Laker, I must be near large bodies of water and hear foghorns, which are music to my ears.  A sizeable river, when the other side hardly can be seen, such as the Mississippi, would do.  But then there are the beastly St. Louis summers, and now you warn me of the beastly summers in cities with comparatively measly rivers.  Guess I'm here on the Great Lakes to stay!

    Parent
    What do you mean, don't go? (none / 0) (#17)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:50:35 AM EST
    I'm already here.

    Parent
    Then leave! Fort Worth is only an (none / 0) (#57)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 12:33:25 PM EST
    hour away! ;-)

    Parent
    And... (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:55:08 AM EST
    Southerners don't love to complain about Yankees?

    The truth is there is good and bad all over...from NY to Dallas to Montgomery to Baghdad.  From gated communities to the slums.  

    Parent

    I always hated (none / 0) (#48)
    by CST on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:19:21 AM EST
    Being called a Yankee.

    That's the evil empire from NY!

    I have also noticed the same "cultural differences" as you between Northern and Southern teenagers.  Although I think it also depends on what background you have (in both cases), there are certainly exceptions.

    Parent

    I'm not fond of it either... (none / 0) (#52)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:34:56 AM EST
    being a die hard Mets fan, Yankee hater myself...I always get along well with baseball loving Bostonians because of it...our common hatred of all things pinstripes:)  

    Why did "yankee" have to both be slang for notherners and the name of the evil empire?  It ain't right:)

    Parent

    American by birth (none / 0) (#58)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 12:35:34 PM EST
    Southerner by the grace of God.

    BTW - You coming to Tunica??

    Parent

    Not gonna happen friend... (none / 0) (#64)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 01:04:23 PM EST
    the roll is very light...need to rebuild it.

    But please keep asking when you're out on the road gambling, I'd love to catch you one of these days.

    Parent

    I'll try and win one for the Kdog! (none / 0) (#89)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 04:52:52 PM EST


    Parent
    Please do... (none / 0) (#107)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 08, 2009 at 08:21:32 AM EST
    that be second best to me taking a big one down.  I certainly need to get back in my 2006 form, I've been running lousy for awhile...I've got leaks to plug, and better luck wouldn't hurt:)

    Parent
    Thanks Dark A... (none / 0) (#29)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:35:03 AM EST
    I thought it was just me. I'd say PPJ might have unknowingly validated the purported underying reasoning that Dallas was ranked.

    Parent
    DA (none / 0) (#60)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 12:41:05 PM EST
    Is my court jester. He has a crush on me so he follows me everywhere and makes as many snarks as he can.

    And he is still po'd that I banned him from my blog.
    Unrequited love and all that, I guess.

    Parent

    Banned him? (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by jondee on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 03:41:20 PM EST
    So you're back to 0 readers now?

    Parent
    And it was fun, (none / 0) (#94)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 05:09:16 PM EST
    Come over and I'll do my Jacksonian thing!

    Parent
    Since expelled from Eden... (none / 0) (#80)
    by CST on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 03:42:19 PM EST
    You mean Eden isn't in Texas????

    :)

    Parent

    See what I mean? (none / 0) (#91)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 05:02:29 PM EST
    Go back up and you'll see that he just had to make two attack comments and when I respond noting the facts.... well... he attacks again..

    I am reminded of the old joke.

    Guy goes into the Doctor's office with a frog on his forehead.

    "How long have you had a Frog on your forehead?" the Doctor asked.

    "I've had this growth on my as* for about a week says the frog."

    Parent

    hehe (none / 0) (#102)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:35:26 PM EST
    Every thread DA shows up and starts snarking. I swear he has a crush on me.

    DA. You are always the one who initiates contact. Now get over the banning and try and move on!

    Parent

    Interesting... (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:49:43 AM EST
    many of the same cities in the most desirable list are also on the least desirable list...NYC leads both lists.

    Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence effect?  Or just another bullsh*t list somebody pulled out of their keister?

    Parent

    I noted that too, kdog -- (none / 0) (#20)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:59:56 AM EST
    And there probably is that grass is greener effect. I just thought it odd that Dallas was ranked for the purported reasons indicated.  Oh, well...lets' fact it, I was just trying to jump start some argument this morning. From the looks of things, it worked!

    Parent
    I was in Dallas once... (none / 0) (#28)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:29:36 AM EST
    not since I was a teenager...Hanging out with my cousins friends who were around my age, they were so different than the teens in NY.  They wore really tight jeans and cowboy hats and liked to mess around with cb radios listening to Billy Ray Cyrus, where I wore real loose jeans and a baseball cap and liked to mess around with reefer listening to the Beastie Boys.

    But everyone was real nice, a couple snide Yankee jokes aside:)

    Parent

    Did they share their stuff? (none / 0) (#31)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:38:36 AM EST
    There is some premo stuff to be found around here, and 'nuff said on that topic.

    Parent
    Nah...it was weird (none / 0) (#37)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:49:07 AM EST
    They all drank but not a smoker among them...which I found very odd for American teenagers.  Probably just the cirlce my cousin was running with wasn't down for whatever reason.

    Parent
    And the answer is: (none / 0) (#24)
    by cal1942 on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:20:07 AM EST
    just another bullsh*t list somebody pulled out of their keister?

    I agree. I call this getting to the truth of the matter.


    Parent

    I think you nailed'em both,. (none / 0) (#61)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 12:41:44 PM EST


    Parent
    Maybe W will bring the approval rates (none / 0) (#38)
    by sallywally on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:50:28 AM EST
    down to his level!

    Parent
    As an Iowa State alum (none / 0) (#8)
    by Farmboy on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:30:38 AM EST
    I'm not a fan of Oklahoma, but I have to support the Big 12 in the post-season.

    Thanks. I needed some help here. (none / 0) (#10)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:37:46 AM EST
     

    Parent
    A motto for BTD (none / 0) (#12)
    by Demi Moaned on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:45:23 AM EST
    Hey BTD, I was reading Adam Gopnik's article on Samuel Johnson ("Man of Letters") from the Dec. 8th New Yorker and I came across this line from the great man that I thought you might like to appropriate for your own use:
    ... when a dense disciple said, "I don't understand you, Sir," Johnson, speaking for every teacher, said, "Sir, I have found you an argument, but I am not obliged to find you an understanding,"...
    HA (none / 0) (#15)
    by andgarden on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:49:25 AM EST
    /Chris Matthews.

    Parent
    Oops! "Man of Fetters" (none / 0) (#21)
    by Demi Moaned on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:03:37 AM EST
    ... is the correct title of the article.

    Parent
    Remember that Florida (none / 0) (#18)
    by Exeter on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 08:53:00 AM EST
    has former ISU coach Dan McCarney and he knows Oklahoma pretty well.  I'd say Florida wins it.

    BCS Champs by Conference (none / 0) (#22)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:04:20 AM EST
    Some of those SEC bragging rights have a valid claim based on the history of the BCS Championship game. Since the inaugural of the BCS game, here are the records for each conference.

    SEC     4-0
    Pac10  1-1
    Big12   2-3
    Big10   1-2
    ACC     1-2
    BigEast 1-2

    There are two "firsts" for the SEC that Florida could accomplish Thursday night: win and the SEC will be the first conference to win three consecutive titles in the BCS, or lose and be the first SEC team to lose a BCS Championship game.

    In fact (none / 0) (#32)
    by Steve M on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:43:00 AM EST
    going all the way back to the inception of the AP poll, only twice in history has the same conference won the national championship three years running.  So it would be quite impressive in the long view as well.

    Parent
    Offense beats defense in this case (none / 0) (#26)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:23:51 AM EST
    Ok 41
    FL 35

    Senate will seat Burris (none / 0) (#30)
    by jbindc on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:35:56 AM EST
    Chicago Tribune

    Ya beat me to it! AP, CNN, et al. (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by Cream City on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:43:33 AM EST
    say it's a done deal, and the room is being set up now for a Reid-Burris press conference, as their meeting has concluded.

    CNN says this delayed Obama's presser.  Exactly the problem with this Senate circus.

    On a related front in Illinois, on the day that the state secretary of state has to respond to Burris' suit of a week ago re the refusal to sign his certification, the sos says his signature is only ceremonial, and the Senate made him the "fall guy."  Exactly so, as well.

    Parent

    Good to be contrarian (none / 0) (#36)
    by abdiel on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:47:30 AM EST
    When everyone is so sure that one side will win, it's usually better to take the other side.  Florida is scary fast, but Oklahoma's no slouch.  

    I wonder if Tebow will be looking to show NFL scouts a little something after all the talk that Bradford is a guaranteed first round draft while he might not even play QB in the NFL.

    Scouts crack me up... (none / 0) (#43)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:03:04 AM EST
    they get so obsessed with size and stature that they forget to check if the guy can play football.  The Jets first round pick last year, Vernon Ghoulston, comes to mind.  He's got the size and physique scouts drool over, but can't get on the field because he's not a football player.

    I've always wonder what Doug Flutie could have done with a full career in the NFL...he was a football player.

    Parent

    Being a long time Bills (none / 0) (#78)
    by jondee on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 03:38:00 PM EST
    fan (thank you Sir, may I have another?), I can tell you from alot of first hand observation that Flutie had tremendous pocket sense, knowledge of his position, leadership instincts etc but foundered to some extent because of sheer physical limitations ie not being able to see the field well enough due to his size and a relativly weak arm.

    Now, if they could've figured out a way to transplant Flutie's brain into Rob Johnson's body, dust off the shelf in Canton!

    Parent

    The way they benched Flutie... (none / 0) (#81)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 03:49:20 PM EST
    for Johnson be3fore the Music Miracle game appalled me...I'm a firm believer in dancing with who brought ya...and Flutie brought ya.

    The last time the Bills were a winner was when Doug was under center.  His height definitely made his job harder, but I'd take him in a big game over Rob Johnson anyday...all 5 foot nuthin' of him.

    Parent

    kdog (none / 0) (#85)
    by jondee on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 04:12:35 PM EST
    one of the Bills defensive lineman told me the idea of starting Johnson in that game came right from the old man (Ralph Wilson). And Wade Phillips isnt (or wasnt) the kind of guy who would stand up to Wilson. Maybe thats why he's coaching for Jerry Jones now.

    I agree; what kind of message does that send to the rest of the team when you bench the guy who lead you to a winning season before the first playoff game?

    Just another perverse, self destructive move (like keeping Jauron), that the Bills are becoming famous for.

    Parent

    What did you think about (none / 0) (#92)
    by jondee on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 05:03:36 PM EST
    firing Mangini? IMO, they should fire that prima donna qb (rapidly becoming the Roger Clemons of football), and have kept E.M.

    Parent
    I wanted both gone.... (none / 0) (#106)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 08, 2009 at 08:06:19 AM EST
    Manigini's gameplans left me scratching my head most of the season...and he had a penchant for punting when they should go for it and and going for it when they should punt.  He strikes me as coaching not to lose as opposed to coaching to win.  And he's too stoic for my taste, I'm partial to guys with some spunk.

    As for Favre, my fears from before the season came to fruition hard...too many picks, and an unwillingness to reign it in.  His ego rubbed the other players the wrong way, on and off the field.  It was a pr move from the get-go, not a football move...all to generate buzz and sell the PSL's for the new stadium.  Our owner sucks too....when you have a chance to try and talk Bill Cowher into coming out of retirement, you cut your vacation short and meet him.  Woody Johnson is no Leon Hess.  Hess may not have ever had a winner, but there was no doubt he poured his heart and soul into the team.  Johnson treats it like a stock.

    Parent

    Alright then to (none / 0) (#41)
    by SOS on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:01:00 AM EST
    prove I am not a total negative "anti sports" person even though I stopped watching football 14 years ago from my knowledge base I'll go with the Gators.

    Speed and skill always trumps brute force and bulk.

    Sometimes speed slows (none / 0) (#62)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 12:50:07 PM EST
    in the 4th qtr.

    Parent
    I highly recommend... (none / 0) (#45)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:11:00 AM EST
    Clint Eastwood's new flick "Gran Turino" to everybody, best film I've seen in quite awhile.

    I rarely get choked up at movies, but the end really got me.  Eastwood kicks arse.

    If I have to hear (none / 0) (#54)
    by Steve M on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:42:57 AM EST
    that "get off my lawn" commercial one more time, I may lose it.  It's as if John McCain won the election.

    Parent
    that'd Make My Day (none / 0) (#93)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 05:06:05 PM EST


    Parent
    Here's a BCS question (none / 0) (#55)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 11:01:51 AM EST
    I think it's generally admitted that Florida has more team speed than Oklahoma. What I'm wondering is, will the fastest five guys on the field all be wearing Orange and Blue? Can "any" Soooner match the speed of Jeff Demps, Percy Harvin, Chris Rainey, Brandon James and Louis Murphy?

    Good news! (none / 0) (#65)
    by Fabian on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 01:37:38 PM EST
    I told my family that I didn't want any Christmas gifts, but that I wanted them to look for some things for me.  One was Big White Dogs.  I wanted to talk to people who owned a Kuvasz or a similar breed.  My mom got a Christmas letter from a business acquaintance with a family picture featuring a Big White Dog.  She sent him an email asking about it.

    Guess what?  It turned out to be a Kuvasz and she passed along his reply with contact information for someone runs a breed rescue in the region.  Seek and you shall find.

    Breed Rescue...way to go! (none / 0) (#66)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 01:43:55 PM EST
    I rescued a Dalmatian ten or so years ago and she is still permitting us to "room" with her.

    Parent
    For these breeds (none / 0) (#67)
    by Fabian on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 02:01:46 PM EST
    livestock guardian dogs, it really is the way to go.  My research has revealed at least one instance that a shelter treated LGDs poorly because they had no experience with the breed.  The one adoption event I went to, I asked everyone I met if they were familiar with LGDs.  No one was.  

    Parent
    P*rn industry is seeking (none / 0) (#68)
    by vml68 on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 02:19:32 PM EST
    a 5 billion dollar bailout, according to CNN.

    Not quite sure what to make of that... :-)

    It's supposed to be recession proof... (none / 0) (#69)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 02:24:30 PM EST
    isn't it?  Sex, booze, drugs, and gambling...the worse it gets economically the more people want vice.

    It's probably all the amatuers giving it away for free that is hurting the industry...only suckers pay for porn anymore...not that I would know anything about it:)

    Parent

    You know more than you think..... (none / 0) (#70)
    by vml68 on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 02:32:48 PM EST
    "The industry itself is in no financial danger -- DVD sales have slipped over the past year, but Web traffic has continued to grow.

    But the industry leaders said the issue is a nation in need. "People are too depressed to be sexually active," Flynt said in the statement. "This is very unhealthy as a nation. Americans can do without cars and such but they cannot do without sex."

    "With all this economic misery and people losing all that money, sex is the farthest thing from their mind. It's time for congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America. The only way they can do this is by supporting the adult industry and doing it quickly.""

    Parent

    I think my man Larry Flynt has it wrong... (none / 0) (#71)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 02:35:35 PM EST
    when you're broke, sex is free fun, and I think you do more of it....not less.

    Parent
    You even can save energy costs (none / 0) (#88)
    by Cream City on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 04:40:46 PM EST
    by doing it in the dark.  Amazing, that invention of sex that my children claim for their generation.

    Parent
    Obviously (none / 0) (#72)
    by squeaky on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 02:39:43 PM EST
    The answer is to print pron on our currency. That must be what Flint is angling for. GOod for the dollar and good for pron, two birds with one stone..

    Parent
    No one is talking about this?? (none / 0) (#73)
    by BigElephant on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 02:40:26 PM EST
    I'm surprised no one is talking about some of Obama's pick for Justice Dept.  You can read my history to see I'm a huge Obama fan (for the most part), but I think this is another huge screw up.  

    My hope is that these recent screwups are strategically placed between winning the office and taking office...  

    Blair House (none / 0) (#74)
    by squeaky on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 03:10:34 PM EST
    Who kicked Obama out of Blair House? Australia's John Howard. "The veil is lifted. We now know who is booked at Blair House, kicking President-elect Barack Obama and his family to the waiting list and across Lafayette Park to the Hay-Adams Hotel.

    [...]

    [Howard], former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe are to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Bush

    war & piece

    I may get snow! Cross your fingers for me :) (none / 0) (#75)
    by Teresa on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 03:13:51 PM EST
    It will melt by tomorrow afternoon but I want it anyway.

    BTD, your post was funny and made my day.

    It's what you would expect from the top college football covering law and politics blog.
    This is a law blog? (none / 0) (#77)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 03:20:01 PM EST
    It's what you would expect from the top college football covering law and politics blog.
    Well hey (none / 0) (#84)
    by Steve M on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 04:05:41 PM EST
    All the law junkies can hang out at my recommended diary on the Minnesota recount!  More statutory analysis than you can shake a stick at.

    Parent
    yeah, yeah. (none / 0) (#87)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 04:28:13 PM EST
    Interesting stuff, but I like(d) the old TL law stuff better - but I know I've made that point way too many times already...

    Parent
    Fun observation. (none / 0) (#97)
    by Fabian on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 07:06:56 PM EST
    over at dkos discussing Sanjay Gupta as a possible nominee for Surgeon General.

    If Obama wants him and he's a familiar face on television, that's enough for some people.  Politics, knowledge or interest in public health issues are trivial details, easily dismissed.

    If these are the New Gen activists, I am very disappointed.

    Wednesday Morning Open Thread | 102 comments (102 topical)

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