Mike Sherman Hired

Texas A&M hired former offensive line coach (1989-1993 & 1995-1996) Mike Sherman to replace the debacle of a coach that was Dennis Franchione.

I was wondering what others thought about this hire. I know Sherman more from his time with the Green Bay Packers, but know that coaching in the NFL and NCAA are two different worlds. As far as tradition goes, it is a great hire for A&M. Sherman coached under R.C. Slocum who is basically royalty in Aggieland (as it should be).

So will Coach Sherman be able to turn things around for the Aggies? Can he take them to the next level? Post a comment and let me know what you think (both Aggies and NCAA followers welcome)!

Best. Campaign. Video. Ever.

Huckabee's first campaign video. Enjoy!

Huckabee and The Planet

Just finished reading an interview in which Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee discusses his views on global warming and what should be done to curb it.
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Should you heart Huckabee? The jovial former Arkansas governor famously shed 100 pounds in two years and became an outspoken health and fitness advocate, and now he's focusing that can-do attitude on a much weightier problem: America's beleaguered energy system.

"The first thing I will do as president is send Congress my comprehensive plan for energy independence," he proclaims on his Web site. "We will achieve energy independence by the end of my second term." The goal may sound admirable, but even if it's achievable -- and many experts doubt that it is -- Huckabee's plan for getting there is light on specifics. Rather than spell out what steps he would take, he talks of creating a market environment that encourages innovation, and he praises just about every energy source you can think of -- nuclear, "clean coal," wind, solar, hydrogen, biomass, bio diesel, corn-based ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, oil from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other untapped domestic areas, and, yes, conservation too.

A conservative Republican and devout Christian, Huckabee believes he has a biblical responsibility to protect God's planet from climate change, even though he's not convinced that climate change is largely human-caused. But mandatory limits on greenhouse-gas emissions make him squeamish.

To read the rest of the interview from www.salon.com, click here.

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In another article from RTT News, Huckabee discusses his views on abortion:

Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, who is gaining in the polls, said Sunday that he believes that individual states should not be able to decide if abortions should be legal in their jurisdictions, adding that the right to life is a moral issue.

"If morality is the point here, and if it's right or wrong, not just a political question, then you can't have 50 different versions of what's right and what's wrong," Huckabee said in an appearance on the “Fox News Sunday” program with Chris Wallace.

"For those of us for whom this is a moral question, you can't simply have 50 different versions of what's right," the former Arkansas governor added.

As for his rival Fred Thompson's endorsement from the National Right to Life Committee, Huckabee said he was puzzled by their choice.

"But my surprise was nothing compared to the surprise of people across America who had been faithful supporters of right to life," Huckabee said.

"Fred's never had a 100 percent record on right to life in his Senate career. The records reflect that. And he doesn't support the human life amendment which is most amazing because that's been a part of the Republican platform since 1980," Huckabee said.

Thompson on Sunday said that Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision allowing abortion, should be overturned, but states should be able to decide whether to allow the procedure.

"We need to remember what the status was before Roe v. Wade," the former Tennessee senator said in a pre-recorded interview on ABC's "This Week" program.

As for Huckabee, Thompson said: “He's pro-life, but he's liberal on everything else. Like taxes, illegal immigration enforcement.”
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Finally I find a cool website through msn.com this evening. It is a matrix that breaks down each candidates views on the issues. Check out this matrix by clicking here.

Happy Festivity Month and HA HA HA to You!

Heard both of these unfortunate stories the last two mornings on my local FOX station's morning news show.

An employment company in Australia suggested that their Santa's say "HA HA HA" instead of the traditional "HO HO HO" because it may frighten children and offend women. It seems that the outcry against this possible change prompted the company to back track and state that they could say "HO HO HO".

The second report regards Lowe's. They are racing to fix their "holiday" catalog because they labeled their trees (gasp) "Christmas Trees"! The horror! (Yes, this is true and not some fake report. Click here if you doubt old Rob.)They decided it would be better to call them "Family Trees" as to not offend anyone. On my way to work though I couldn't help but wonder if these family trees might offend someone without a family. What about the single guy or girl who wants to buy one? Wouldn't they be offended by the use of "Family Tree"?

I was discussing this with my co-worker and she brought up a very obvious point that most people don't seem to get. What about all the other holidays? You never hear anyone saying that Kwanzaa or Hanukkah is offensive. "Maybe the word menorah offends me," as my co-worker said. I tried to explain that it is mostly related Christian things like holidays or people praying (see previous post) that get attacked. Say something about one of the above two holidays and you will be labeled a racists. Say something about Christians and no one bats an eye.

Here is the thing. I am cool with you celebrating your holiday, but don't tell me how to celebrate mine. Honestly it makes me sad. Was Jesus born in December? I have no clue, but this is when Christians (hopefully) celebrate his birth. It is sad that year after year a little bit of this celebration is chipped away. One day we will wake up and December 25 will be labeled "Festive Day", and some where down the road we will probably be arrested for going to church. I feel bad for those who don't understand it. So I decided that I will change my 'holiday terminology' as well. I am subtracting "mas" out of my Christmas related words. Next Friday I will put up our Christ tree so we can remember that Jesus paid for our sins on a tree. I will send out Christ cards to those I love sharing in the celebration of Jesus' birth. And on Christ Eve and Day I will celebrate the child who was born who would save mankind from the darkness.

Let It Rain

Not sure if any of you have heard about GA Gov. Sonny Perdue praying for rain. Georgia has been in a drought for quite a while now, so Gov. Sonny decided to pray outside the state house for rain. Do a search online for Georgia + rain + pray and you'll find numerous articles related to this. Most are of course vicious because some one is praying. My favorite one is as follows from Wonkette.com:

"Did you know it hasn’t rained in Georgia in, like, a million years? It’s undergoing the biggest dry spell since prohibition, doggone it. And while most politicians offer practical solutions to major economy-crippling droughts — usually public statements to the effect of “suck it up and go to law school, farmers!” — Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue is taking the more popular Jesus route to moisture. He has “called for Georgians to join in a prayer vigil on the steps of the state capitol, in the hopes that the heavens will unleash the rain.” Be warned, Sonny! Jesus may only give you locusts or cicadas, which are far worse.

While rabid atheists, who are the second most annoying political bloc behind rabid theists, are planning to protest the intrusion of Church into precious State, they’re completely ignoring the history at play here! As ABC News explains in its best 9th-grade science project tone, rain dances and other pagan rituals were not invented by Gov. Sonny Perdue:

Since the dawn of time, people have prayed for rain in some form — from the tribes of Africa to American Indians. And where prayer fails, science sometimes pulls through.

Prayer never fails, you lunatic ABCNews.com writer! Just look at how well things turned out for the tribes of Africa and American Indians."

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For a slightly less biased report, check out msnbc.com's report.

What you won't find (at least not as easily) is that some time after Gov. Sonny held his prayer crusade, it started raining in GA and as of this post, hasn't stopped. But don't worry, the media isn't biased. Oh and what is that high percentage of Americans that believe in God? Yet when one man has enough faith to believe God can and will bring rain, everyone scoffs. Go figure.

Week 9 NFL Selections

Well this is it. The game that has been talked and speculated about for weeks now will finally occur. You can bet that we will be watching and that we may very well be the only two people in MA to be rooting for the Indianapolis Colts. Though you may not know, there are other games this week:

49ers at Falcons is a tough one. I keep picking my Niners thinking and hoping they will win. They are playing a team with one less victory than them Sunday and should win. Thus I should pick the Falcons to win.

In another "Who Cares Game", the Bills should handle the Bengals fairly easily.

The high powered offense of the Lions should overpower the reeling Broncos.

Still waiting for Vince Young to break out and have a huge game, but I suppose it doesn't matter much at this point for my poor fantasy team (he is my QB). Titans beat Panthers anyway.

Packers could be upset by the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium, but I will give Farve the nod.

Both teams are up and down this season, but the Chargers should win against the Vikings.

Jaguars are a mystery because of their QB situation. They have a tough defense which will keep them in any game. They are also 3-0 on the road. Jags beat Saints.

Redskins should be hungry after last weeks loss to the Patriots. Skins beat Jets.

Here is another interesting game that will be overlooked. The Cardinals are a better team than their 3-4 record indicates. As are the Buccaneers (4-4). The Cards are young though and 1-3 on the road. Bucs win.

Browns have a good offense going this year. Seattle is in that crazy NFC West Division where up is down and black is white. I give the Browns a "W" in an upset.

Texans will have their 2nd string QB in as they face the Raiders. The Raiders will try out journeyman Josh McCown (I believe he is from Jacksonville, TX) at QB. Texans had a good game in their loss last week...Texans win in Oakland.

Will Tony Romo have a down week after signing a 6 year extension with Dallas? I doubt it. Cowboys spank Eagles.

Steelers hand Ravens another loss on Monday night.

Now, what about those two undefeated teams? Of course everyone is talking about the Patriots. I am pretty sick of listening to the radio news shows out here trying to justify the coach running up the score. Apparently it is okay because they used to be horrible so they earned it. Oh and because they were called cheaters, so the players are out to prove themselves so take that. Give me a break guys! Whether they cheated in that game or any game has nothing to do with being conceited and cocky. In the same way, their running up the score and being punks has nothing to do with their game versus the Colts, whom no one seems to be talking about. Most writers would agree that this Colts team is better than last years squad that won the Super Bowl.

The Colts have beat some tough defenses this year too. Have they put up as many points as the Pats? No, but winning is winning. The Colts opponents thus far have been much better than the Pats. The Colts have so far played and beaten: Saints (easy win), Titans, Texans, Broncos, Bucs, Jaguars and Panthers. A majority of those teams have a winning record and all except the Saints and Panthers have a wicked stingy defense. The Pats meanwhile have beat up on the Jets, Chargers (not nearly good as last year), Bills, Bengals, Browns, Cowboys, Dolphins and Redskins. With the exception of the Redskins, all have cruddy defenses. The sad part is that the Pats schedule remains soft after this game, almost like the NFL is begging them to win.

I believe the game will mimic last years AFC Championship match. Could be "last team to score wins" game. And I believe that the Colts will be that team. One point to remember. Regardless of who wins, it doesn't decide anything. Despite what it is being called, the winner of this game will not be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the day. It is just another regular season game. If either of these teams had even one loss, it wouldn't be nearly as big of a deal.

There's Something about Hilary

Most of you have probably heard about Hilary Clinton's debacle at the Democratic debate this week. The other male canidates "ganged up" on the Senator. The bigger issue of the night was her back and forth commitments. What does this woman stand for? Where does she stand on the issues? From her answers, it would appear to be both sides. Clinton of course insists that this is untrue and that the men are simply piling it on her because she is a woman and she is in the male run political race. In fact she said this (in a more drawn out fashion) at her old all girls college just the other day (along with stories about boys in her room, which we are all so interested in).

However, in in the smallest statements, Mrs. Clinton seems to flip flop.
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CONCORD, N.H., Nov. 2 — Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama tangled on Friday over whether women should be treated equally to men in the boxing ring of presidential politics. At the same time, Mrs. Clinton backed away from her “pile-on politics” strategy that portrayed her as the lone woman under assault from the six male candidates at the Democratic debate on Tuesday.

“I don’t think they’re picking on me because I’m a woman; I think they’re picking on me because I’m winning,” Mrs. Clinton said at a news conference at the Capitol after filing papers to run in the New Hampshire primary.

For the full New York Times article by Elisabeth Bumiller, please click here.