Dr. Helen posts about Shelby Steele's new book regarding White Guilt and I'm unusually brilliant and witty in the comments (even if noone over there appreciates that).
The Blanc Anger (I would have written BlackAnger as the oppositional pair to White Guilt in this post's title, assuming at least one of the critics in the beef I'm about to describe was not lily white, but no such luck, somehow blanc anger makes sense anyway) portion gets a little more complicated. John Cook for Slate posts about two music critics who had some sort of beef with Magnetic Fields lead Stephin Merritt (listened to some of the live concert posted here, not my cup of tea)
I have no problem with folks who don't like black music, and anyone who chooses to be needlessly provocative in their disdain for any particular musician, era, style, or aesthetic.
What I find really interesting is that the two critics who are singled out for getting completely bent out of shape seem awfully, terribly, blindingly, blanc.
I don't recall ever hearing of Sasha Frere-Jones before, he seems to have a regular music column for The New Yorker. That's a pretty big black mark (and not disdainful in a jealous, 'I wish I had that job sort of way', more in a 'god, this article sucks, it goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on, and on and on and on and on, and then on some more, and by the time it's over you've even forgotten which album, artist and genre he was writing about in the first place, this crap is really bad' sort of way)
He rebuts the Slate article on his blog here (a Gawker interview with photo, here)
Jessica Hopper responds here. I find this post especially enjoyable (in an 'unintentionally humorous, 'third wave' feminist really need to be less over-determined in analyizing their own actions' sort of way)
I'm thinking some displacement is going on in both cases. Both those writers give me the sense that they are angry at their own privilege so they feel compelled to defend the downtrodden. Pathetic.
(and after reading their responses, and other pieces by both, I'm thinking John Cook is more right than he is wrong)
And if my blog is as self-indulgent, insular, poorly composed, uninteresting, and (fill in whatever slightly insulting adjective you think fits after perusing their sites, here), then hurl invective my way in the comments.
Now my opinion about the state of much of hip hop today.
Much of the form has become modern day minstrelsy, but now it's black folks putting on even blacker faces and selling a thuggish, misogynistic, calculated display of every white parent's greatest fears to sell albums in the suburbs to Lily White and her brother.
There's plenty of great hip hop, but the stuff most admired seems to be the stuff that reinforces the worst stereotypes about blacks. It's about shock and commerce, not art. It's disgusting, and though these acts have every right to do what they do, labels have every right to promote this corrosive filth, they should know better, and they should do better. Radio stations shouldn't reward the escalation in rhetoric. Biography shouldn't displace artistic merit (nobody can ever convince me that Tupac is a poet, or that 50 Cent would be noticed if he didn't have a hot body, the face of a bulldog, and 9 bullet holes), and worst of all, much current hip hop lacks the musicality of the first and second wave of hip hop (I know, I know, I sound like every other middle aged crank in history speaking of 'back in my day. . . .').
Cakewalks should have gone out long ago, yet they seem to have made a comeback (and in some ways the current history of hip hop parallels the history of the Cakewalk, what started out as righteous, became caricature)
Every rapper doesn't need to be positive, and every popular black artists doesn't have to be a 'credit', but I tire of music critics who've taken too many units in various 'studies' programs and think that everything 'provocative' and 'transgressive' to social norms is somehow worth paying attention to.
(and Jessica Hopper's Myspace space is so cute and ironic, that all you really need to know is that the letters after the / are jhopz (cause she's from the hood!))
(and have I mentioned how much I hate folks who are 30 going on 14?)
And to complete the circle of incestuous blogginess, here's John Cook's blogpost about his post at Slate.
Finally, you thought I forgot about Dr. Helen didn't you? Well, if it's not clear by now, I think that all this nonsense on both sides by all three of these critics stems from notions of White Guilt, both reacting to it, displaying manifestations of it, and reacting against it. To all you white folks who feel the need to be guilty about being white, get over yourselves. To all the black folks who feel the need to exploit white folks' guilt, get over yourselves, too, you do yourself more harm than good. And to all the other folks left out of this ridiculous and artificial dichotomy, sucks, doesn't it?
10 May 2006
Aversion Therapy
(hat tip Drudge)
If these fratboys were smarter, they'd have claimed that they were trying to instill in their pledges an aversion to homophobia by subjecting their recruits to the pains of being taunted for their orientation.
It was an exercise in multi-culti enlightenment meant to create a kinder, gentler, class of fratboys who are in touch with their emotions, and not a perpetuation of anti-homosexual hatred.
(though if they were to claim that they'd probably have been lying, the intent and actions were most likely a direct form of gay-bashing rather than an indirect form of gay-support)
If these fratboys were smarter, they'd have claimed that they were trying to instill in their pledges an aversion to homophobia by subjecting their recruits to the pains of being taunted for their orientation.
It was an exercise in multi-culti enlightenment meant to create a kinder, gentler, class of fratboys who are in touch with their emotions, and not a perpetuation of anti-homosexual hatred.
(though if they were to claim that they'd probably have been lying, the intent and actions were most likely a direct form of gay-bashing rather than an indirect form of gay-support)
Elation/Despair
08 May 2006
Don't Talk the Talk. . .
(hat tip Drudge)
Unless you can Walk the Walk.
Israel has proven again and again that they can match word with deed.
Iran has proven again and again that they talk a better game than they can deliver.
When peacenik (and current Israeli Vice Premier) Shimon Peres is saying, "the president of Iran should remember that Iran can also be wiped off the map.".
It's time for Iran to backdown and quit spewing their dangerous rhetoric.
This is almost an admission by Israel that they have a good sized nuclear arsenal, and should anyone doubt it, the will to use it should their existence be jeopardized.
Unless you can Walk the Walk.
Israel has proven again and again that they can match word with deed.
Iran has proven again and again that they talk a better game than they can deliver.
When peacenik (and current Israeli Vice Premier) Shimon Peres is saying, "the president of Iran should remember that Iran can also be wiped off the map.".
It's time for Iran to backdown and quit spewing their dangerous rhetoric.
This is almost an admission by Israel that they have a good sized nuclear arsenal, and should anyone doubt it, the will to use it should their existence be jeopardized.
All About Hookers
OK, the title of this post is a lie, this won't be all about prostitution, but it will be somewhat about prostitution.
The latest Hookergate (link goes to Michelle Malkin's video piece for Hot Air) controversies involving folks in DC is all and good, but don't for a moment think that this is unique to DC.
Here in sunny Southern California there are two annual events that increase the likelihood that while visiting local hotspots you will encounter ladies with fit bodies and improbable bustlines (while carrying Louis Vitton bags).
(bad syntax there, it sounds as if I were the one carrying the Louis Vitton, and not the ladies)
That would be this week's E3 and the annual AFM (which now occurs in November). E3 is dweeb, nerd, and geek heaven. And when and where ever there is a heavy concentration of worldwide geekdom, there also seems to be a comensurate concentration of young women who appear to make the world's oldest profession their own.
I'm not talking skanky, streetwalkers with pimps, these are top-flight strippers, elegant European lasses, and women who are capable of holding a conversation worth eavesdropping upon.
Once, this time of year I picked up a friend from LAX, and having arrived a bit early (and his flight being delayed by over an hour), I watched many arrivals, mostly from NYC, Houston and Atlanta. Each plane had at least 3-4 women who looked like they were arriving in LA for 'business'. It made the wait rather entertaining.
Some might only be working the booths (supposedly, booth babes have been banned, but I'll believe it when I don't see it) and not actually providing other services, but if I were a woman who already was in that business, mobile, and highly desirable, I wouldn't hesitate to find my way to Los Angeles during the time E3 is in LA (also, I'm sure there's a market (though smaller) for attractive young men as well).
AFM is a different sort of beast. It's the American Film Market, and it's where foreign film buyers come to pick up smaller American films for distribution. That's held right here in Santa Monica, and when it's here, the number of squat bald men with lanky blonde women (of all ethnicities) on their arms increases exponentially. It's fascinating. As that attracts mostly foreigners, it seems most of the women working that crowd are also imported. It's a great time to practice your Russian, especially.
The latest Hookergate (link goes to Michelle Malkin's video piece for Hot Air) controversies involving folks in DC is all and good, but don't for a moment think that this is unique to DC.
Here in sunny Southern California there are two annual events that increase the likelihood that while visiting local hotspots you will encounter ladies with fit bodies and improbable bustlines (while carrying Louis Vitton bags).
(bad syntax there, it sounds as if I were the one carrying the Louis Vitton, and not the ladies)
That would be this week's E3 and the annual AFM (which now occurs in November). E3 is dweeb, nerd, and geek heaven. And when and where ever there is a heavy concentration of worldwide geekdom, there also seems to be a comensurate concentration of young women who appear to make the world's oldest profession their own.
I'm not talking skanky, streetwalkers with pimps, these are top-flight strippers, elegant European lasses, and women who are capable of holding a conversation worth eavesdropping upon.
Once, this time of year I picked up a friend from LAX, and having arrived a bit early (and his flight being delayed by over an hour), I watched many arrivals, mostly from NYC, Houston and Atlanta. Each plane had at least 3-4 women who looked like they were arriving in LA for 'business'. It made the wait rather entertaining.
Some might only be working the booths (supposedly, booth babes have been banned, but I'll believe it when I don't see it) and not actually providing other services, but if I were a woman who already was in that business, mobile, and highly desirable, I wouldn't hesitate to find my way to Los Angeles during the time E3 is in LA (also, I'm sure there's a market (though smaller) for attractive young men as well).
AFM is a different sort of beast. It's the American Film Market, and it's where foreign film buyers come to pick up smaller American films for distribution. That's held right here in Santa Monica, and when it's here, the number of squat bald men with lanky blonde women (of all ethnicities) on their arms increases exponentially. It's fascinating. As that attracts mostly foreigners, it seems most of the women working that crowd are also imported. It's a great time to practice your Russian, especially.
He Beat Me To It
(hat tip, Instapundit)
I was going to say something very similar, to what John McIntyre posted at RealClearPolitics.
Of course, I was going to be much less thorough and well researched, but I would have come to the same conclusion, it would be a disaster for the Democrats to take over the House in the 2006 elections, and would all but ensure a Republican President, an increased majority in the Senate along with a solid majority in the House in the 2008 should the Dems get control of all those House committees in 2006.
The base would scream bloody murder if they don't set up each committee to investigate every last action of the past 6 years under the Bush Administration, and they'd be forced to either stand up to those that want socialized everything, higher taxes, and greater regulations on all sorts of businesses, or acquiesce and try to thoroughly destroy the current low-tax, low-regulation inspired prosperity.
Suddenly, the never met a bill he wouldn't sign President, would be come Mr. Veto, and we'd have complete gridlock in the government (which every other time has happened, proved to be beneficial to the general populace, government which is least able to compromise and get anything done seems to be government which governs best (to mangle a quote))
I was going to say something very similar, to what John McIntyre posted at RealClearPolitics.
Of course, I was going to be much less thorough and well researched, but I would have come to the same conclusion, it would be a disaster for the Democrats to take over the House in the 2006 elections, and would all but ensure a Republican President, an increased majority in the Senate along with a solid majority in the House in the 2008 should the Dems get control of all those House committees in 2006.
The base would scream bloody murder if they don't set up each committee to investigate every last action of the past 6 years under the Bush Administration, and they'd be forced to either stand up to those that want socialized everything, higher taxes, and greater regulations on all sorts of businesses, or acquiesce and try to thoroughly destroy the current low-tax, low-regulation inspired prosperity.
Suddenly, the never met a bill he wouldn't sign President, would be come Mr. Veto, and we'd have complete gridlock in the government (which every other time has happened, proved to be beneficial to the general populace, government which is least able to compromise and get anything done seems to be government which governs best (to mangle a quote))
Site Changes
I've changed a few things to the side-bar. I've added Christopher Althouse's new blog to the blogroll, cause I find myself visiting there daily, so that's usually an indication that the site needs to be blogrolled.
I've changed the poll on the sidebar (and remember, vote early, vote often (insert joke about that being the common practice of the party you despise, here)), inspired by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's (pictured above, borrowed from Drudge's choice of absolute worst looking moment for the ever shocked Representative) appearance on Meet the Press, she asserts that if the election were held today, the Dems would sweep to power. I assert that if the election were held today, everyone would be very surprised. Unlike those screwed up parliamentary countries, we have a set schedule as to when our elections happen.
Finally, I've updated the last couple of weeks of aintwrongness and friday funkness on the sidebar, had been remiss for the past few weeks in that duty. I'll endeavor to stay on top of that.
I've changed the poll on the sidebar (and remember, vote early, vote often (insert joke about that being the common practice of the party you despise, here)), inspired by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's (pictured above, borrowed from Drudge's choice of absolute worst looking moment for the ever shocked Representative) appearance on Meet the Press, she asserts that if the election were held today, the Dems would sweep to power. I assert that if the election were held today, everyone would be very surprised. Unlike those screwed up parliamentary countries, we have a set schedule as to when our elections happen.
Finally, I've updated the last couple of weeks of aintwrongness and friday funkness on the sidebar, had been remiss for the past few weeks in that duty. I'll endeavor to stay on top of that.
07 May 2006
You Ain't Wrong (Week Ending 07 May 06)
Another week, no week feels finished until the aintwrong has been pointed out (really it doesn't).
NZ Bear, You Ain't Wrong, for updating your ecosystem. Charts always kick ass (and anyone who adds to my links wouldn't be wrong, either, link me please! (no I am not needy))
Christopher Althouse, You Ain't Wrong, for jumping into this blogging thing. 1000 hits your first week, if I were the jealous type, I'd scream nepotism, but since I'm not, I'll just say, so far interesting, keep it up and earn those eyeballs (with posts on hot button topics, such as this one, or this one, you can't fail)
Dr. Helen, You Ain't Wrong, If men live longer, women would be hardest hit.
Callimachus, You Ain't Wrong, Newsflash, Many newsrooms slant leftward.
Pajamas Media, You Ain't Wrong, In scheduling a weekly round-up podcast of blogdom, Glen Reynolds, Tammy Bruce, Eric Umansky and host Austin Bay play off each other well. Keep it up (and if you haven't listened before, stream it, or download it already).
LA Clippers, You Won't Be Wrong, when you defend the honor of the city of Los Angeles, and defeat the Phoenix Suns in 5 games. A 'hallway' series would have been awesome, will have to wait till next year when the Lakers and Clippers meet in the Western Conference Finals.
Tim Train and Brian Reynolds, You Ain't Wrong, for releasing Rise of Legends this week. I've been playing the demo (link to 750mb download) to death. Can't wait for the full game. Rise of Nations was great, this one looks better.
Enough aintwrongness, on to the antiaintwrongness. Tony Valdez working for LA's Fox affiliate Channel 11, spewed (Hot Air caught and posted the moment for all to hear) the standard Aztlan Reconquista crap about illegal immigrants not crossing the border but the border crossing them. For that, antiaintwrongness=tonyvaldezness
NZ Bear, You Ain't Wrong, for updating your ecosystem. Charts always kick ass (and anyone who adds to my links wouldn't be wrong, either, link me please! (no I am not needy))
Christopher Althouse, You Ain't Wrong, for jumping into this blogging thing. 1000 hits your first week, if I were the jealous type, I'd scream nepotism, but since I'm not, I'll just say, so far interesting, keep it up and earn those eyeballs (with posts on hot button topics, such as this one, or this one, you can't fail)
Dr. Helen, You Ain't Wrong, If men live longer, women would be hardest hit.
Callimachus, You Ain't Wrong, Newsflash, Many newsrooms slant leftward.
Pajamas Media, You Ain't Wrong, In scheduling a weekly round-up podcast of blogdom, Glen Reynolds, Tammy Bruce, Eric Umansky and host Austin Bay play off each other well. Keep it up (and if you haven't listened before, stream it, or download it already).
LA Clippers, You Won't Be Wrong, when you defend the honor of the city of Los Angeles, and defeat the Phoenix Suns in 5 games. A 'hallway' series would have been awesome, will have to wait till next year when the Lakers and Clippers meet in the Western Conference Finals.
Tim Train and Brian Reynolds, You Ain't Wrong, for releasing Rise of Legends this week. I've been playing the demo (link to 750mb download) to death. Can't wait for the full game. Rise of Nations was great, this one looks better.
Enough aintwrongness, on to the antiaintwrongness. Tony Valdez working for LA's Fox affiliate Channel 11, spewed (Hot Air caught and posted the moment for all to hear) the standard Aztlan Reconquista crap about illegal immigrants not crossing the border but the border crossing them. For that, antiaintwrongness=tonyvaldezness
05 May 2006
Friday Funk Lyrics, 5 May 2006
It's a very special Cinco De Mayo Friday Funk Lyrics. I think this calls for another two song, holiday edition.
First up, when you think funky, who do you think of? That's right, say it with me. . . . .
(what, that's not who you were thinking of?)
Now that that's out of the way. Since Cinco De Mayo is a Mexican holiday, let's head south to Mexico (Tijuana specifically) and pick out another brilliant singing-songwriting woman with a surprisingly strong stage presence. Julieta Venégas rocks, plus she's also kind of funky in a plays a concertina sort of way. Her Bueninvento album es muy fantastico, and no record collection would be complete without it. Not a weak cut on the album, but as far as which song to post lyrics to, I'll go with the track Flor (in honor of my short-lived fling with that Venezuelan lass (Flora), from a little more than a month ago).
Finally for a laugh, here's the babelfish translation below (Liz Phair en espanol, and Julieta Venegas in English)
Cinco De Mayo (en espanol)
And here's Flower (in (not quite) English)
And just to really be silly, here's a re-translation of the translations
Cinco De Mayo, back to english from the spanish
Five of May, escape, negation was not east diversion time, leaving him to go to which if I never, one bleats by always, maintained you outside my hand? We would not have known to beautiful flow absolute measurement, I is not no bus of hound of the pleasure outside the control, plowing the way towards outside in a doblador right Alicia that falls under a hole that never deepens state to Rome until you smiled you you are around as old and filled They requested now for the snow that as soon as I wonder myself what enchantment was under thought of you thought of me like something to never maintain state to Rome until you smiled you are around like old and filling Five of May, Ohio burn was not I east time that let to him go
and to finish this off, Flor, back to spanish from the english
No necesito ver cómo usted se olvida lentamente yo que no necesito saber lo que pierdo al perderte a usted la flor que guardo viene savoring el agua que usted le dio y asi seguirá me seguirá no necesita probar cámo que viene la nostalgia ya yo siéntase él que llega pues solamente una lata de la cortina ah pero yo toma con mí la posición mucho más tarea para la eternidad y el agua que usted dio me a ayudas yo a la cruz la tormenta yo salga de asi del acéptalo aquí no me volveré más prefiero recordarte no deseo saber que lo que viene I más adelante alguien lo contó seremos ése la manera y por el aqui que sabe bien qué sucedió yo muere el simpre para decir que si la nueva palabra invita a mí para irse y al agua que usted le dio me me ayuda a recordar la verdad que salgo de acéptalo del aqui así yo no volverá solamente yo prefiere el recordarte y el agua que usted dio me a ayudas yo a la cruz la tormenta
(Babelfish ignores line breaks, I'm not going to bother trying to throw them back in there)
First up, when you think funky, who do you think of? That's right, say it with me. . . . .
(what, that's not who you were thinking of?)
CINCO DE MAYO
Cinco de mayo, blowout, denial
It wasn't fun this time, letting you go
What if I never, a bullet forever,
Held out my hand to you?
We wouldn't have known beautiful flow
Absolute measure, I ain't no pleasure hound
Bus out of control, ploughing the road
Out on a bender
Just Alice falling down a deepening hole
I'd never been to Rome until you smiled
You're about as old and piled
Used to pray for snow
Now I just wonder
What spell I was under
Thinking you thought of me as something to hold
I'd never been to Rome until you smiled
You're about as old and piled
Cinco de mayo, burn-out Ohio
It wasn't me this time letting you go
Now that that's out of the way. Since Cinco De Mayo is a Mexican holiday, let's head south to Mexico (Tijuana specifically) and pick out another brilliant singing-songwriting woman with a surprisingly strong stage presence. Julieta Venégas rocks, plus she's also kind of funky in a plays a concertina sort of way. Her Bueninvento album es muy fantastico, and no record collection would be complete without it. Not a weak cut on the album, but as far as which song to post lyrics to, I'll go with the track Flor (in honor of my short-lived fling with that Venezuelan lass (Flora), from a little more than a month ago).
FLOR
No necesito ver cómo lentamente te olvidas de mí
no necesito saber lo que pierdo al perderte a ti
la flor que me guardo viene saboreando
el agua que le diste y asi seguirá seguirá
No necesito probar cámo esa añoranza viene ya
la siento llegando como sólo una sombra puede ah
pero llevo conmigo mucho más
cargo tarea para eternidad
y el agua que me diste me ayuda a cruzar
la tempestad
Me voy de aquí acéptalo asi
no volveré más
prefiero recordarte
No quiero saber lo que viene después
alguien me lo contó
estaremos por ahí y por aqui
sabiendo bien lo que pasó
me muero simpre por decir que si
palabra nueva me invita a salir
y el agua que me diste
me ayuda a recordar la verdad
Me voy de aqui acéptalo así
no volveré mas prefiero recordarte
Y el agua que me diste
me ayuda a cruzar la tempestad
Finally for a laugh, here's the babelfish translation below (Liz Phair en espanol, and Julieta Venegas in English)
Cinco De Mayo (en espanol)
¿Cinco de mayo, escape, negación no era diversión este vez, dejándole ir a lo que si I nunca, una bala por siempre, sostenido fuera de mi mano a usted? No habríamos sabido flujo hermoso La medida absoluta, I no es ningún autobús del hound del placer fuera del control, arando el camino hacia fuera en un doblador Alicia justa que cae abajo de un agujero que profundiza nunca estado a Roma hasta que usted sonrió usted está alrededor como viejo y llenado Rogaban para la nieve ahora que apenas me pregunto qué encanto era bajo pensamiento de usted pensamiento de mí como algo sostener nunca estado a Roma hasta que usted sonrió usted está alrededor como viejo y llenado Cinco de mayo, quemadura Ohio no era yo este vez que le dejaba ir
And here's Flower (in (not quite) English)
I do not need to see how slowly you forget me I do not need to know what I lose to perderte to you the flower that I keep comes savoring the water that you gave him and asi will follow will follow I do not need to prove cámo that nostalgia comes already I feel it arriving as only one shade can ah but I take with me position much more task for eternity and the water that you gave me helps me to cross the storm I go away of acéptalo asi here I will not return more I prefer recordarte I do not want to know what I comes later somebody counted it we will be that way and by aqui knowing well what happened I die simpre to say that if new word invites to me to leave and the water that you gave me it helps me to remember the truth I go away of aqui acéptalo thus I will not return but I prefer recordarte And the water that you gave me helps me to cross the storm
And just to really be silly, here's a re-translation of the translations
Cinco De Mayo, back to english from the spanish
Five of May, escape, negation was not east diversion time, leaving him to go to which if I never, one bleats by always, maintained you outside my hand? We would not have known to beautiful flow absolute measurement, I is not no bus of hound of the pleasure outside the control, plowing the way towards outside in a doblador right Alicia that falls under a hole that never deepens state to Rome until you smiled you you are around as old and filled They requested now for the snow that as soon as I wonder myself what enchantment was under thought of you thought of me like something to never maintain state to Rome until you smiled you are around like old and filling Five of May, Ohio burn was not I east time that let to him go
and to finish this off, Flor, back to spanish from the english
No necesito ver cómo usted se olvida lentamente yo que no necesito saber lo que pierdo al perderte a usted la flor que guardo viene savoring el agua que usted le dio y asi seguirá me seguirá no necesita probar cámo que viene la nostalgia ya yo siéntase él que llega pues solamente una lata de la cortina ah pero yo toma con mí la posición mucho más tarea para la eternidad y el agua que usted dio me a ayudas yo a la cruz la tormenta yo salga de asi del acéptalo aquí no me volveré más prefiero recordarte no deseo saber que lo que viene I más adelante alguien lo contó seremos ése la manera y por el aqui que sabe bien qué sucedió yo muere el simpre para decir que si la nueva palabra invita a mí para irse y al agua que usted le dio me me ayuda a recordar la verdad que salgo de acéptalo del aqui así yo no volverá solamente yo prefiere el recordarte y el agua que usted dio me a ayudas yo a la cruz la tormenta
(Babelfish ignores line breaks, I'm not going to bother trying to throw them back in there)
The First Saturday in May
One of my favorite sporting events each year is the running of the Kentucky Derby. Back when I liked to gamble too much (not quite in a Dalyish or Barkleyian way though), I'd go to Vegas for the 'Run for the Roses'.
Never even thought of going to Kentucky, looks like fun, but also crowded, crazed, and expensive.
I'll stick to Vegas, Laughlin, or Hollywood Park (which has live races also that day).
A maximum field (20) of 3 year olds will be racing, hard to get a feel for any of the horses, but always keep an eye on the horse that finished 2nd at the Santa Anita Derby. In the entire history of the race, only two winners of the Santa Anita Derby have also won the Kentucky Derby. The only horses to do it were the great Affirmed in '78, also the last Triple Crown winner, and the other horse to win both the Kentucky Derby and Santa Anita Derby was Sunday Silence in '89.
(I saw Affirmed race that year, and I've seen Seattle Slew, and more recent top horses like AP Indy and Cigar, but my all time favorite horse will always be the big gelding with the bad temper, John Henry)
Horses in the money, but that didn't win the Santa Anita Derby have won with much greater frequency, so look out for Point Determined and AP Warrior, and don't believe the hype surrounding Brother Derek. He's unbeatable at Santa Anita, his home track, but there's a long trail of great horses that don't ship well, and don't adjust to the huge field at the Kentucky Derby (20 horses and dealing with the auxillary gate can screw up even experienced horses, let alone not very experienced 3 year olds). Brother Derek is breaking from way outside, and there's a ton of speed on the inside.
Lately the winning horses have come out of the Floriday Derby and the Arkansas Derby and west coast horses haven't shipped well, plus Brother Derek is a Cal-bred horse, and would be the first horse bred in California to win the derby if he does so.
So if I get off my duff, and get over to Hollywood Park tomorrow, I'll probably be tempted to take the 12-1 straight up on Point Determined and ignore all the exotic bets.
(also, I swear I'll blog about something other than sports one of these days)
(and even though I saw John Henry race when I was still in elementary school, that horse is still alive and kicking at over 30 now, picture, borrowed from here, below, hopefully the fate that befell Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand, will be avoided by John Henry when his inevitable end comes)
Never even thought of going to Kentucky, looks like fun, but also crowded, crazed, and expensive.
I'll stick to Vegas, Laughlin, or Hollywood Park (which has live races also that day).
A maximum field (20) of 3 year olds will be racing, hard to get a feel for any of the horses, but always keep an eye on the horse that finished 2nd at the Santa Anita Derby. In the entire history of the race, only two winners of the Santa Anita Derby have also won the Kentucky Derby. The only horses to do it were the great Affirmed in '78, also the last Triple Crown winner, and the other horse to win both the Kentucky Derby and Santa Anita Derby was Sunday Silence in '89.
(I saw Affirmed race that year, and I've seen Seattle Slew, and more recent top horses like AP Indy and Cigar, but my all time favorite horse will always be the big gelding with the bad temper, John Henry)
Horses in the money, but that didn't win the Santa Anita Derby have won with much greater frequency, so look out for Point Determined and AP Warrior, and don't believe the hype surrounding Brother Derek. He's unbeatable at Santa Anita, his home track, but there's a long trail of great horses that don't ship well, and don't adjust to the huge field at the Kentucky Derby (20 horses and dealing with the auxillary gate can screw up even experienced horses, let alone not very experienced 3 year olds). Brother Derek is breaking from way outside, and there's a ton of speed on the inside.
Lately the winning horses have come out of the Floriday Derby and the Arkansas Derby and west coast horses haven't shipped well, plus Brother Derek is a Cal-bred horse, and would be the first horse bred in California to win the derby if he does so.
So if I get off my duff, and get over to Hollywood Park tomorrow, I'll probably be tempted to take the 12-1 straight up on Point Determined and ignore all the exotic bets.
(also, I swear I'll blog about something other than sports one of these days)
(and even though I saw John Henry race when I was still in elementary school, that horse is still alive and kicking at over 30 now, picture, borrowed from here, below, hopefully the fate that befell Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand, will be avoided by John Henry when his inevitable end comes)
NHL Playoffs, 1st Round Results
I had the right results, wrong sport.
Every lower seed in the Western Conference upset the higher seed.
The exact opposite happened in the Eastern, all the top seeds advanced.
And yet I still don't care.
Just can't get into the NHL, sorry (was a temporary Kings fan when Gretzky played, even caught a few games at the Fabulous Forum).
Every lower seed in the Western Conference upset the higher seed.
The exact opposite happened in the Eastern, all the top seeds advanced.
And yet I still don't care.
Just can't get into the NHL, sorry (was a temporary Kings fan when Gretzky played, even caught a few games at the Fabulous Forum).
04 May 2006
NBA Playoffs, 1st Round Edition
In the East, Detroit played well, no surprise. Miami won, but looks awful. New Jersey did in the Pacers and have an excellent shot at reaching the Eastern Conference finals. Watching LeBron has been great, but what we really have all been witnesses to is a series without defense. It doesn't matter which team wins that series, the winners will lose in 4 or 5 games to Detroit. Same goes for whichever team wins between Miami and New Jersey, Detroit will represent the East in the NBA Finals, that's a done deal barring multiple injuries to the Pistons' starters.
In the West, the Grizzlies messed up my all upset first round. The Clippers are going to give the Lakers all they can handle in the second round. The Lakers WILL win on Saturday in Phoenix. Sacramento WILL win on Friday in Sacramento to set up a game seven in San Antonio, but whichever team wins that series will lose to Dallas. I'm still looking forward to the 'Hallway Series', the Lakers will not lose three in a row to the Suns.
I still think the Clippers will prevail over the Lakers, and go on to beat Dallas in the Western Conference Finals. After that it'll be a hard fought series against Detroit, with the Clippers pulling off the improbable upset.
Party time on Figueroa come June, just you wait.
In the West, the Grizzlies messed up my all upset first round. The Clippers are going to give the Lakers all they can handle in the second round. The Lakers WILL win on Saturday in Phoenix. Sacramento WILL win on Friday in Sacramento to set up a game seven in San Antonio, but whichever team wins that series will lose to Dallas. I'm still looking forward to the 'Hallway Series', the Lakers will not lose three in a row to the Suns.
I still think the Clippers will prevail over the Lakers, and go on to beat Dallas in the Western Conference Finals. After that it'll be a hard fought series against Detroit, with the Clippers pulling off the improbable upset.
Party time on Figueroa come June, just you wait.
02 May 2006
NFL Draft Recap
A mantra oft repeated during the ESPN coverage of NFL Draft 2006 was that you wouldn't really know whether or not each team made the right decision for another 2-3 years.
With that in mind here's my breakdown of the top 12 picks in NFL Draft 2003 (any Mel Kiper, Jr. clone can say stuff about future performance, it takes someone with real talent to talk about what everyone already knows and can see for themselves). And when I say my breakdown, what I really mean is that I'll summarize the draft tracker summary from 2003 and compare it to the team's career summary of each player from now (most team pages haven't updated to include '05 summaries, those lazy bastards!), 1st link draft tracker, 2nd link various team pages.
1. Cincinatti - Carson Palmer, USC QB
(then) Should be top QB and top player overall,
2. Detroit - Charles Rogers, Michigan State, WR
(then) Great size, speed, not quite Randy Moss, but close, easy top 5 pick
3. Houston - Andre Johnson, Miami (Fla), WR
(then) Another game breaking wideout prospect, might be some head problems
4. NYJets - Dewayne Robertson, Kentucky, DT
(then) Solid DT, needs to improve technique, huge upside potential
5. Dallas - Terence Newman, Kansas State, CB
(then)Top CB available, plus should be great return man in NFL, a bit undersized
6. New Orleans - Johnathan Sullivan, Georgia, DT
(then) Big, solid, but maybe too slow, still definite first rounder
7. Jacksonville - Byron Leftwich, Marshall, QB
(then) In the right offense, could put up impressive numbers
8. Carolina - Jordan Gross, Utah, OT
(then) A bit small, but still best left tackle available in draft, could develop into perennial pro-bowler
9. Minnesota - Kevin Williams, Oklahoma State, DT
(then) Undersized, one of the top ten DTs, seems a stretch at 9th overall
10. Baltimore - Terrell Suggs, Arizona State, DE
(then) A little small, but could develop into a top pass rusher, think Simeon Rice
11. Seattle - Marcus Trufant, Washington State, CB
(then) Not the fastest or most athletic CB, but great football knowledge, knows where to be at all times
12. St. Louis - Jimmy Kennedy, Penn State, DT
(then) Likely top five pick (so he slipped a bit), might be too slow, concerns about weight
Now for the Where Are They Now, portion of this post
Palmer, Bengals star QB, has to be considered one of the top 5 QBs in the league already, great first pick.
Rogers, Detroit WR, injured rookie year, injured 2nd year, suspended 4 games for league substance abuse violation, in other words, a Lion through and through.
Johnson, Houston WR, started 45 of 48 games since joining NFL, made last year's Pro Bowl, first Texan on offense to do so, so far, not so bad.
Robertson, NYJets DT, solid, not outstanding good rookie year, followed by a solid season, followed by a year where the whole team stunk.
Newman, Dallas CB, Excellent rookie year, has solid, but unspectacular since (*changed* from struggled, misread his stats, but hasn't been an impact player for the Cowboys, but one of the quickest CBs in the league)
Sullivan, New Orleans DT, Another top ten pick that started out strong and ended up struggling 2nd year, also last year was a nightmare year for all Saints, but started more games, and put up decent numbers, so maybe his performance will match his talent in 2006.
Leftwich, Jax QB, He's their starting QB, has quietly put up big numbers, and the team was 12-4 last year, but was injured, his backup, Garard, played well in his absence, and when Leftwich came back for the playoffs, the Jaguars were pasted by the Pats, so he will have a lot to prove in '06.
Gross, Carolina OT, Wears number 69, 'nuff said. (and has been solid for the Panthers, started and played in every regular season and playoff game since he was drafted)
Williams, Minnesota DT, Pro Bowler in his 2nd year, big drop in production in his 3rd, again, another case of a whole team collapsing, should return to form in '06.
Suggs, Baltimore DE/LB, Another Pro Bowler in 2004, more versatile than Williams, played in every game since being drafted, solid player on a great defense. Remember him come fantasy roster time, going to have a monster '06.
Trufant, Seattle CB, Best tackling CB in the league. Was a monster in '04, a little quiter in '05, but his team did make the Superbowl, and the addition of Tatupu improved the team, but screwed up the individual stats of players like Trufant.
Kennedy, St. Louis DT, injured for half of '04, solid numbers in '05, good interior tackle, run stuffer.
So looking over the careers of the picks, big winners so far, Cincy, Baltimore, Seattle and Carolina, big losers Detroit, Dallas, and New Orleans.
Now a quick look at each position and see if the teams missed anybody spectacular. At QB Palmer and Leftwich were clearly the best available, and have been the best pros. At WR Rogers has been a disappointment, but is still talented, and might turn around, Johnson's been solid, none of the other WR drafted have been better. All those DL taken in the first 12, if picking today, would probably be reordered some, but not much, Gross turned out to be a smart pick at OT, and the CBs though not great, were better than anyone else available. The only player not picked in the top 12 that stands out as someone that would have made a bigger impact than any of those chosen is Troy Polamalu (likely the Pro Bowl starting SS for at least the next 5-7 years) who slipped to Pittsburgh at 16, imagine a Seattle defense with Tatupu and Polamalu, would have been awesome (and likely reversed the Superbowl XL result).
With that in mind here's my breakdown of the top 12 picks in NFL Draft 2003 (any Mel Kiper, Jr. clone can say stuff about future performance, it takes someone with real talent to talk about what everyone already knows and can see for themselves). And when I say my breakdown, what I really mean is that I'll summarize the draft tracker summary from 2003 and compare it to the team's career summary of each player from now (most team pages haven't updated to include '05 summaries, those lazy bastards!), 1st link draft tracker, 2nd link various team pages.
1. Cincinatti - Carson Palmer, USC QB
(then) Should be top QB and top player overall,
2. Detroit - Charles Rogers, Michigan State, WR
(then) Great size, speed, not quite Randy Moss, but close, easy top 5 pick
3. Houston - Andre Johnson, Miami (Fla), WR
(then) Another game breaking wideout prospect, might be some head problems
4. NYJets - Dewayne Robertson, Kentucky, DT
(then) Solid DT, needs to improve technique, huge upside potential
5. Dallas - Terence Newman, Kansas State, CB
(then)Top CB available, plus should be great return man in NFL, a bit undersized
6. New Orleans - Johnathan Sullivan, Georgia, DT
(then) Big, solid, but maybe too slow, still definite first rounder
7. Jacksonville - Byron Leftwich, Marshall, QB
(then) In the right offense, could put up impressive numbers
8. Carolina - Jordan Gross, Utah, OT
(then) A bit small, but still best left tackle available in draft, could develop into perennial pro-bowler
9. Minnesota - Kevin Williams, Oklahoma State, DT
(then) Undersized, one of the top ten DTs, seems a stretch at 9th overall
10. Baltimore - Terrell Suggs, Arizona State, DE
(then) A little small, but could develop into a top pass rusher, think Simeon Rice
11. Seattle - Marcus Trufant, Washington State, CB
(then) Not the fastest or most athletic CB, but great football knowledge, knows where to be at all times
12. St. Louis - Jimmy Kennedy, Penn State, DT
(then) Likely top five pick (so he slipped a bit), might be too slow, concerns about weight
Now for the Where Are They Now, portion of this post
Palmer, Bengals star QB, has to be considered one of the top 5 QBs in the league already, great first pick.
Rogers, Detroit WR, injured rookie year, injured 2nd year, suspended 4 games for league substance abuse violation, in other words, a Lion through and through.
Johnson, Houston WR, started 45 of 48 games since joining NFL, made last year's Pro Bowl, first Texan on offense to do so, so far, not so bad.
Robertson, NYJets DT, solid, not outstanding good rookie year, followed by a solid season, followed by a year where the whole team stunk.
Newman, Dallas CB, Excellent rookie year, has solid, but unspectacular since (*changed* from struggled, misread his stats, but hasn't been an impact player for the Cowboys, but one of the quickest CBs in the league)
Sullivan, New Orleans DT, Another top ten pick that started out strong and ended up struggling 2nd year, also last year was a nightmare year for all Saints, but started more games, and put up decent numbers, so maybe his performance will match his talent in 2006.
Leftwich, Jax QB, He's their starting QB, has quietly put up big numbers, and the team was 12-4 last year, but was injured, his backup, Garard, played well in his absence, and when Leftwich came back for the playoffs, the Jaguars were pasted by the Pats, so he will have a lot to prove in '06.
Gross, Carolina OT, Wears number 69, 'nuff said. (and has been solid for the Panthers, started and played in every regular season and playoff game since he was drafted)
Williams, Minnesota DT, Pro Bowler in his 2nd year, big drop in production in his 3rd, again, another case of a whole team collapsing, should return to form in '06.
Suggs, Baltimore DE/LB, Another Pro Bowler in 2004, more versatile than Williams, played in every game since being drafted, solid player on a great defense. Remember him come fantasy roster time, going to have a monster '06.
Trufant, Seattle CB, Best tackling CB in the league. Was a monster in '04, a little quiter in '05, but his team did make the Superbowl, and the addition of Tatupu improved the team, but screwed up the individual stats of players like Trufant.
Kennedy, St. Louis DT, injured for half of '04, solid numbers in '05, good interior tackle, run stuffer.
So looking over the careers of the picks, big winners so far, Cincy, Baltimore, Seattle and Carolina, big losers Detroit, Dallas, and New Orleans.
Now a quick look at each position and see if the teams missed anybody spectacular. At QB Palmer and Leftwich were clearly the best available, and have been the best pros. At WR Rogers has been a disappointment, but is still talented, and might turn around, Johnson's been solid, none of the other WR drafted have been better. All those DL taken in the first 12, if picking today, would probably be reordered some, but not much, Gross turned out to be a smart pick at OT, and the CBs though not great, were better than anyone else available. The only player not picked in the top 12 that stands out as someone that would have made a bigger impact than any of those chosen is Troy Polamalu (likely the Pro Bowl starting SS for at least the next 5-7 years) who slipped to Pittsburgh at 16, imagine a Seattle defense with Tatupu and Polamalu, would have been awesome (and likely reversed the Superbowl XL result).
Commie Pinko AntiDogbertian Scum
Scott Adams advocates vaguely Marxist sounding redistributionism.
He might be joking.
He might be serious.
I like his personal reasons for not voting
Personally, I don’t vote. That’s partly because I know there isn’t enough information available for me to make an informed decision, and partly because the rich white guys in power (my peeps) are doing a good job of taking from the poor and giving to me. I don’t have much to gripe about.
Unlike some countries, voting for non-felon citizens over 18 is a right and not a requirement in the United States (I'm talking to you Australia and Belgium).
I think Dogbert would take exception with the idea of getting more poor folks to vote so that they elect politicians who promote an aggressively redistributionist public policy.
I think Mr. Adams is taking the absurdist route to the destination of wisdomville (I'm pretty sure William Blake said something similar).
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