Powerful stuff.

Krauthammer is very effective. I hate to put this stuff up so close to election, but this is critical. Recent poll numbers scare the beejeezus outta me. Undecideds out there really need to hear this and make an informed choice.

I'm a retired professional.

"Ahhh Guinness, my love for you will never die" - Quote from Christmas 1998, still gets laughs in my family.

Check this article and see if you have any comments.

Vote. But vote Carefully, my friends.

Just read the two most recent George Will pieces. Here and here.
It seems common sense that you shouldn't count the votes of people that either haven't actually voted or voted incorrectly. It' not that hard, no matter the type of ballot used. Seriously, take the time to do this correctly. Slow down. Read the instructions. Ask for help if there is something you don't understand. Is it crazy that I even have to verbalize these caveats?

Bucks handle Hoosiers, 30-7.

Hard to guage the importance of this win. Yes it stopped a losing streak, but Indiana is one of, if not the worst team in the B10.
I was harsh on Troy Smith before, and I have to apologize. He played well. As long as Justin is hurt, Troy should start and play. If Justin is healthy? I don't know the answer and that's why coach Tressel gets paid the real tall dough.
Still don't see the same defensive dominance of old. I suppose it's because we're young. I'm still not happy with Snyder. Plenty of tough tests ahead.
O line looked decent. Really liked that Rehring. Play him! As an aside, saw some of the scUM game and they have a defensive tackle that's got to give Mangold nightmares! 3 and a half bills and can move his feet? Yikes!
Hope the Bucks can build off this win and keep the positive momentum.
Go Bucks!

With a little help from my friends.

Post activity way down. Tired of politics! It's important and part of the process, but let's just say that I'm not an undecided voter. Let's get to the election!

Got some supplemental stuff from Pat in Covedale. Thanks Pat.

Check this article on THK.

Exasperated exclamation here:

So what's going to happen with this election? I'm deathly afraid that Kerry and the Democratic Party's dirty tricks are going to pay off. I can't believe some of the crap they're throwing out there. Bush has a secret plan to reinstate the draft. Bush has a secret plan to privatize social security. This is such bullshit to just throw out these accusations with absolutely no basis. I can't believe they can get away with this. This is like the proverbial when did you stop beating your wife question. Plus, as I predicted before, the Democrats have got their plan together to cloud the vote and stir up claims of voter fraud and intimidation. How can we defeat these guys? Is the rest of America smart enough to see this or have I moved to the right lunatic fringe?

Bucks 7 Hawkeyes 33

It was too hard to write anything before now. This loss was just gut-wrenching. Took any creative wind right outta my sails.
This season is starting to get away from the coaches and is spiraling down the drain. Hope that doesn't happen.
Too much to talk about that needs fixed. Not enough to talk about that went well.
Pretty sad that I'm nervous about Indiana. Indiana fer Pete's sake!
Go Bucks!

This guy has lost it.

Here's a sick take on our society. This guy is a freakin' joke. I hope that he never sells another record. Pretty hypocritical of him to talk about oppression. He's made millions of dollars off his albums. Only in America.

Here's his response.
Not sure how anyone felt a "sense of justice" on that day. Despicable.

Buckeyes take it on the chin at the hands of Badgers, 24-13.

It's almost too hard to talk about. I was at this game and was guardedly optimistic about OSU's chances for success. Early in the game, Ohio State looked pretty good. The energy from the crowd was amazing. The atmosphere was charged, and it seemed the team was feeding off the crowd. There was a small twinge of anxiety when the Bucks had the chance to go up 17-0, but settled for a field goal. By the end of the game, the mood in Ohio Stadium was morose. It's very difficult to watch the team struggle.
I think the mistakes killed us. The fumble by Roy Hall at the Wisky 25 was disastrous. The offense was driving and looked effective. That fumble just took the wind from their sails. Holmes punt fumble in the second half was the stake through the heart of the team. If the Bucks had avoided these two costly mistakes, the final score may have been different. I think this is an important perspective to keep when looking at other aspects of this game.
The offense actually looked Ok during the first half. We rushed for 100 yards, which seems to be right on target for Coach T's balance goals. The passing game wasn't as crisp as we'd like, but still effective.
What happened after halftime? We went totally away from the run and ended the game with 97 yards rushing? I don't understand that at all..
As for the defense, I think they played fairly well. Early in the game, they were awesome. Forcing consecutive 3 and outs was very impressive. It was great to see linemen getting off blocks and making tackles. Again, I don't know what these guys drank at halftime, but it should be banned from Ohio forever. I suppose that being on the field all day is a valid excuse. Will somebody please sack the opposing teams qb?!? The pressure, wait a minute, there is NO pressure from the line. Really disappointed by the D line this year. I also think the injury to Mike D' is going to hurt us in the long run.
Not sure what to expect this weekend in Iowa. Hope the offense can get it together. D has to play solid. No mistakes on special teams. Jeeze, now I sound like a coach.
Go Bucks!

Waffles. Strawberries with whipped cream waffles.

Find this article interesting and instructive.

Amen Brother!

Bucks downed by 'Cats 33-27

How disappointing. Everybody loses, but Northwestern?
Was at the game. Nice stadium, but terrible atmosphere. No home fans to speak of. PA announcer is absolutely horrible. Homer. Adding too much emotional emphasis for NU. "FFFFIRRRST AND TEN....WWWWIIIILLLLDDDCCCAATTTS!!!" Gimme a freakin' break. Also added commentary, "....finally brought down by a host of Buckeyes." Using names that aren't on either teams roster to describe plays by the Buckeyes. Yes, I'm spending a lot of time talking about their PA announcer. We lost. There isn't much more to talk about.
Offense again looked terrible until late in the 4th. I can't get over how terrible our running game is. Maurice Clarett must have been extremely good, able to get yards behind this type of line.
Really surprised by the Defense. Just looked lost. Not aggressive. No sacks. Couldn't stop NU on third down, no matter what the yardage. Terrible. Terrible.
Pat in Covedale, BCS bowl doesn't look too possible after this game. Need improvement in all aspects of game.
Chicago Doc, you nailed it. We'll see what kind of coach we have this weekend.

Reflections on the first debate.

Have been mulling over the first debate. Was struck by Kerry's smooth delivery. Was even more shocked at the content. Good review from NRO. Kerry actually flip-flopped during the debate! Several times. Iraq war as mistake, but solidiers not dying for a mistake. Multilateral coalition to cure Iraq, Bilateral talks to cure N. Korea. On and on. Where did I read about a politico being a "slick operator without the slick"? Kerry's debate was slick without the "operator."
Was not very impressed with the President's performance either, although I can see how it would be difficult to remain stone-faced after hearin Kerry's arguments. I do think the president should have nailed Kerry down on some of his "nuances" and let him try to explain it away. The President was able to get his messages across, even if at times he seemed exasperated.
I think the most important result of this debate is Kerry's position on American national security. That's what this debate was about, afterall. At one point, Kerry said something about bringing (Iraq I think, I'll check the transcript) to the table and asking them, "what can we do for you?" I really thought this moment during the debate was instructive and haven't seen it highlighted anywhere else. Does he mean to say that in an effort to enforce UN sanctions and to further our own foreign interests that we capitulate at the negotiations? Do we begin these discussions from a position of weakness? Do we want our President approaching any other country, let alone brutal dictators, sponsors of terrorism or terrorists themselves, with this negotiating tactic? Everybody heard the "global test" response to the policy of preemption. Absolutely ridiculous. President Bush was right, the policy of preemption depends on the security of the American people, not the whims of France, the UN or anybody else.
Here's an interesting thought: I believe that Kerry's one substantive strength was his immediate response regarding nuclear proliferation. He said it is the most important threat facing America. He also claims that the best way to resolve Iraq is to include our "allies", France, Germany, Russia (paradoxically, the answer to North Korea is unilateral negotiations). Uh, Mr. Kerry, where do you think Iran, North Korea and other countries are getting the technology to enhance their nuclear programs? Seems like our "allies" are not very concerned by nuclear proliferation, especially Russia. Is it because our best interests do not figure in the long term plans of France, et al?
Is this another reason why these "allies" didn't want to join us in the liberation of Iraq? They didn't want to attack a former/current business partner? Kerry's position on the Iraqi coalition is disingenuous. Stop belittling the 30 plus countries that are putting their soldiers in harms way. To remain consistent, shouldn't Kerry also be criticizing these "allies" for their lack of help in defeating Al Qaeda in Afghanistan? Are these "allies" against terrorism or not? Jeeze, maybe we wouldn't have had to split our troops between two theaters if somebody pulled their own weight in Afghanistan!