Hear the Hurd

Sarah Palin's Political Future

I've not said much on the whole Sarah Palin phenomenon since her pick and their loss in the 2008 election.  I suppose there may be much to discuss had I much care in her future career or prospects at this point.  In my mind, she has no real prospects other than making a bundle.  I know many want to try and find out but I can tell you, should she somehow become President, it is entirely due to the shallow thinking of the American people (which could help explain our current predicament.)  Of course, because some think she may run, there is a lot of discussion over her new book.  And in one of the few times over the years, I have found myself disagreeing with Ann Althouse (one of my all time favorite bloggers!)  In response to this quote by Rod Dreher:

Alas, for conservatives in search of a champion, there's nothing in Going Rogue to challenge that conclusion. It's like this: Palin spends seven pages dishing about her appearance on Saturday Night Live, but just over one page discussing her national security views....

... Palin's economic program amounts to nothing more than tax-cutting, deregulating, and the endless repetition of shopworn GOP talking points.

This is the Republican Party's great populist hope?

Sarah Palin is selling a personality, not a platform. That's not dumb. She's doing the best she can with what she has to work with. She quotes her father's line upon her resignation this summer as Alaska's governor: "Sarah's not retreating, she's reloading." On evidence of this book, Sarah Palin is charging toward 2012 shooting blanks.

Ann then responds:

When reviewing a book, you should ask whether the book achieves what it set out to do. Dreher posits some goal other than the one Palin chose and slams her for not meeting it. She chose to write a personal memoir: What life feels like for Sarah Palin. So it's her "Dreams From My Father." The book Dreher aches for would be her "Audacity of Hope." Presumably, she is — her people are — working on that second book, and it will be fully fleshed out with exactly the conservative policy details that Sarah Palin needs for a presidential run.

Dreher admits that her choice to "sell[] a personality, not a platform" is "not dumb." But he leaps to the conclusion that her personality is "what [all?] she has to work with." That's not necessarily the case, and even if it is, with the infusion of great policy advisors, we will never know that she didn't come "loaded" with policy details.

You can't "charge" toward 2012. It's 3 years away, and it will take 3 years to get here. There's no great need to load up on much policy. What did Obama have in 2005? She is creating and extending her aura. She's following the Obama template. "Shooting blanks" — thanks for the gun imagery, but what the hell was Obama "shooting"?

I bolded the really interesting part.  Perhaps this was why Ann got suckered into voting for Obama, but I am personally tired of politicians long on rhetoric and short on the details.  Look, I was attracted to Palin early on, in words and personality.  She sold a good set of ideas on the surface.  And I waited for the particulars that came with that.  I am still waiting.  Much like, I imagine, many Democrats are for that closing of Guantanamo Bay President Obama promised in January.  Guess what?  Latest news says not until at least 2010.  It's one among many thing he promised during his run that still has not actually occurred.  Once again...still waiting for that change.  Hoping for it, at least.

While I can certainly agree that Dreher is not the best person to give "the" conservative view of Palin's book, he is one of many (a self professed "crunchy con" should not be considered "the" voice of the idealogy.)  The view of Palin across the right is as varied as the scorn towards her among the left is certain.  She has yet to actually prove any such real follow through with a promise made since she hit the big time.  It's "look good, sound good and say the right things."  I can see the attraction - the GOP is looking for a star.  That she comes with the rhetoric is much appreciated - personal responsibility, fiscal responsibility, the free market, liberty at home and abroad, strong national defense...the right can appreciate anyone spouting such thoughts as they have become few and far between these days!  The problem with Palin...as is the problem with Obama - they lack any record of real achievement.  Obama never had anything to really hang his hat on prior to the election and Palin had scant time as Governor.  Granted, one was running for President and the other Vice-President, but the similarity is there.  It certainly was made enough during the election.

As a fan of Reagan, one can instantly see a difference between the former two and his history.  He spent a great portion of his life talking, broadcasting and pushing the thoughts that finally brought him to the office of President.  We knew what we were getting.  I'd say we've spent the last three Presidents suffering under false hope and lack of ability.  Hell...Bush the Elder had his issues, even having spent a lifetime in public office.  As he said it, he lacked "the vision thing."  Whatever one may say of Palin, good or bad, she certainly has not offered the kind of detailed thoughts towards the problems and issues of the day that a man like Reagan did or the Roosevelts before him...to an extent Kennedy, and certainly Nixon.  Many did prior to Reagan, but few since.  When did we give the benefit of the doubt to someone who had yet to show any real substance?  Actions speak louder than words and I'm not seeing much in the way of real action these days...not good action, at least.

The right needs to get over its love affair with Palin as she is not taking them anywhere (as the left should with the cult of Obama as well.)  Unless either want Obama 2: Electric Boogaloo then the view towards a winner should be pointed elsewhere.  And any winner better damn well come with some skills...real skills and not just some pleasing outward appearance.  Whatever Sarah Palin has yet to tell us, I am fairly certain it will add no more true substance to her argument and continue to serve up much appropriate language, a pretty face and a hope and promise for that great savior of the party and country.  See...there's that damn word "hope" again.  Can we get to reality please?  The sooner the better.  That is all.

New York 23 and Election 2009

There has been much made today in the aftermath of Tuesday's elections.  It was a pretty big day for the GOP winning the two big Governor races in New Jersey and Virginia as well as some state races across the country though not in New York district 23.  This was the race between Democrat Owens, Republican Scozzafava and Conservative Party candidate Hoffman.  Plenty of words have been offered towards the so called civil war within the GOP causing the Democrat to gain an office held by Republicans since the 1880s. You'll find many members of the Democrat party calling this the only important race as far as national politics go.  Your general Republican would say it means nothing but a turn coat screwed the race.  I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

First of all, let us consider the argument that NY-23 was about national politics while VA and NJ were only statewide races.  And I do believe this is where we can find the real truth of the matter.  These two Governor races showed that statewide issues were paramount.  "Jobs" was the word of the day and I'm not sure anyone can really argue that point.  I'm sure the same issues were part of the NY race.  Let us consider that this was a Republican district over the years, if perhaps not a conservative one.  It is a large district that encompasses both conservative rural areas and liberal college towns.  As with all congressional districts, it has an odd shape thanks to districting.  And though much was made of the conservative wildcard, he was apparently from the district until he was redistricted out and certainly gained a sizable vote even in the loss.  11 GOP party members picked Scozzafava to run in a special election because President Obama named the previous congressman the Secretary of the Army.  There will be a new election next year in the normal election cycle.  There was no primary here.  The voters only got to pick on the last day.  If you ask me, this too was a race more about the state than the nation.  Though the later certainly is important.

This NY race was an election that showed the problems within the NY GOP, as can be seen in many states across the nation.  Look at the mayor of NYC.  Bloomberg had the law changed so he could run for a third term (something seen in Venezuela or Honduras) and then way outspent his Democrat opponent only to poll very closely and eek out a win.  It was rather humorous to see the networks list him as an "R" early in the evening only to finally change it to an "I" later to perhaps downplay the GOP victory.  For whatever reason, it is clear that Bloomberg is no conservative.  If they exist in NY, they need to assert themselves and they did so in the Hoffman campaign.  This does effect the national scene however as it shows that NY is not immune to the Tea Party movement.  Like any movement, it will have its crazies, but at its root is a notion of the Constitution, to me anyway.  To others, it may mean something far different, a tendency of grass roots efforts - they are not particularly well organized and the message can easily be lost as others try and take it over.  Think of any anti-war protest over the last ten years - you'll always find a ton of other causes thrown in there.  The voice of "the people" in this country remains strong.

In the end, I think what we can see in all three of these races is a certain dissatisfaction with the status quo.  Obama was elected on the sense of hope and change and nothing has occurred yet that shows any of that is actually happening.  The people will remain unhappy with those in power, regardless of the party, as long as they continue to spend with the irresponsibility as they do and continue to do it with our money...and continue to achieve nothing but something worse than before.  The New York district mentioned above is just another example of that.  It is large, diverse and unhappy with the way things have been run.  That is why they voted in a different party after 100 years and nearly voted in a third party candidate that caused the Republican not only to withdraw but then endorse the Democrat.  Clearly, she was no loyal Republican.  I remain mystified why the NY GOP actually picked her other than that they clearly aren't very conservative and are certainly in a state if disarray.  Thankfully, they are working it out just like every other state party.  In truth, I like this focus on the states.  It helps remind where the power truly resides in this country.  First the Congress, which does give the Democrats their victory last night (Pelosi was right - two seats gained.)  Then the States, especially as a wonderful breeding ground for new ideas that trickle up to the national level.  VA and NJ switched last night and that will be felt, especially as the Dems wanted VA to become solidly (so-called) blue.  And then the people, who while holding an immense amount of power must work through the levels of government created to protect our God given rights. They had their say yesterday, certainly.

Then, perhaps, the President.  He has a loud voice, to be sure, but relies on the work of many others, not always successfully.  Obama sees the same troubles Bush ran into, and Clinton before him...and so on and so on.  This and any other President should know this:

Voters are tired of the same old thing.  They are tired of career politicians that do nothing but gain for their own interest.  They are tired of voting for people that say they will do one thing and then do something other.  And Obama is not immune.  Still waiting for that promised Guantanamo Bay closure, which I don't even agree with.  Haven't seen that transparency and accountability, which I would like to see.  Certainly waiting for that change of tone in Washington - a perennial promise.  And desperately hoping a decision (already made, I thought) will come down the pike very soon on Afghanistan, for the troop's sake if not the wider war (both rather important!)  Let us not forget, we dropped the ball there for years, right?  We should not do the same now.  But that's another post...I digress.

For the 2009 election, NY 23 created a lot of thought and perhaps the internal look the GOP needs to make across the nation before they can be trusted to run anything again - here is your national level political look.  While about state issues, the thought easily bleeds across to the nation as a whole, as it should.  VA and NJ will be telling on this matter.  A new Contract with America will not do it.  We saw how that turned out once Bush got into office.  The people are still looking for that promised hope and change voted for and we have not yet seen it.  Working from the ground up, we may next year or soon after.  But the GOP needs to learn the true message of the Tea Party and other movements and not just try to co-opt their strength, as should the Democrats if they are smart.  And for any politician that thinks the people will just accept what they want to do FOR us...think again.  While some citizens may wish to abrogate their own personal responsibility, there are plenty of others that just want the government to get out of the way.  From taxes to abortion, from guns to drugs, from welfare to marriage, and from energy to the internet...just get out of the way.  Regulation is one thing.  Taking it over is something far different.  Choice is the operative word.  And it is hard to choose something when the federal government does nothing but demand.  That is all.

Advice for Obama from Tony Soprano

While I've been watching this news lately of Obama's seeming indecision on what to do about Afghanistan, I keep recalling words that Tony Soprano gave to Ralphie on The Sopranos' 3rd season episode "Amour Fou.".  In the situation, Ralphie had finally been bumped up to capo after a long time wanting it and acted as though he was ready.  He was given the task of dealing with Jackie Jr. and the power to make his own decision on the matter - a power that he wanted - and then he waited, making things worse.  Tony's words to him:

"You don't want to create confusion or insubordination but more important than the particular decision is that it happen in a timely fashion.  But fuck it, why am I telling you?  You know all this.  You're a captain.  Chain of command is very important in our thing."

(Tony did know what he was doing even if his goals were suspect.)

While I don't consider Obama or the generals to be a mafia organization (though some might call it close) there is certainly the paramilitary comparison to consider.  It would be unconscionable to make a decision based on political reasons as there are good men and women dying as we speak.  I will not presume that Obama is doing any such thing.  But what then is the reasoning behind waiting so long to make a decision? He outlined his plans for Afghanistan earlier in the year (and has called it an important war since before he was a Senator, as opposed to his consistent call that Iraq was not.)  While I can certainly understand the uncertainty surrounding the Afghan elections and what seems plenty of corruption within that government, that does not call for a waffling to the commanders requesting troops - troops needed to win.  Whether backing the government or not, he should at least give idea to his generals that they and our cause are supported.  He would, of course, need to meet with them a bit more I'd think.  Afghanistan is not (or should not be) political on our part.  Either get out or win, Mr. President.  Continued indecision and half measures will do nothing but cause the death of too many for nothing at all.  That is all.

Chipper and The Braves

It's the 6th inning and the Braves are down by 5.  Tough, to say the least.  For some interesting reading in the meantime, check out Joe Posnanski's look at Chipper Jones.  He's a rare commodity these days, a star that stays with his team for the entirety of his career (and if we are lucky, he will when it is all said and done.)  I still think the boys can get it done tonight.  But while we wait, let's recall the number of not just good, but great seasons Chipper's given the Braves.  Hopefully one or two more reside in his increasingly brittle frame. Go Braves!  That is all.

Braves Close...So Close...

I could come up with a million titles for this post but that does not seem to matter at this point.  The Braves are now 3 games back of Colorado for the wild card spot in the playoffs and there are only 5 games left for each team to play.  To say this attempt just got tougher is an understatement.  And yet...I remain calm.  This past weekend, I took a look at the upcoming matchups between the two teams - Braves have one more game remaining with the Marlins and then the Nats come into town for the final four games of the season; Rockies have two more games against the Brewers in Coors Field before heading to LA to finish the season against the NL West leading Dodgers - I have to say, the matchups still favor the Braves.

The Braves must win out at this point.  That might usually be a tall order, but if can get past the Fish tonight (and I think we can) then we must sweep Washington in 4 games.  That is certainly doable.  We just swept them in 3 (and just ended a 7 game winning streak.)  When I looked at the standings and games left, I assumed the Rockies would win last night...and that the Braves would lose to put them 3 back yet again.  But now the Rockies must lose one of the remaining games against Milwaukee and then lose 2 out of 3 to the Dodgers (a team they have struggled against.)  That scenario places the two teams in a tie for the WC spot and the playoff game is here in Atlanta.  Folks - it's doable.  So very doable.  I am not saying likely, but indeed possible.

Call this hope, call it insanity, call it what you will - but this team has been fun to watch even if more than a little bit aggravating at times this year.  But if someone had told me at the start of the season that the team would win 90 games this year, I would have laughed at them and yet even if we don't make the playoffs, we are still quickly approaching 90 wins.  I did pick the Braves to get the WC though so perhaps I saw it coming after all.  Just watch the team, folks...cheer them on...hell, go down and take in one of the games.  If anything, show this Braves team how much their efforts are appreciated because for me, this has been the best season of Braves baseball I've seen since at least 2005 (and that was more of a shocker year, really.)  It's fun watching meaningful baseball in September.  It would be even more fun in October.  And though I could go into why the Braves would still struggle in a playoff series, I won't.  For now, I am rooting for the home team.  That's how baseball should be.  Go Braves!  That is all.

Where ARE My Manners?

[Posted by Keith Konior]

It just occurred to me that I have not thanked Allen Hurd for inviting and allowing me to post on his blog.  He has known me for a very long time and he knows how my mind works.  Which makes his invitation all the more baffling.

So, that's pretty much it, Hurd.  I just wanted to say thanks.

That is all.

This post is about Rambo V (a.k.a. HELL, YEAH!)

[Posted by Keith Konior]

I just read about Sylvester Stallone's next "Rambo" picture.  Since the release of 2008's "Rambo," I have been waiting for the other creative shoe to drop (so to speak).

This is way better than anything that I could have hoped for.  Ideas were tossed around for a while...Stuff like John Rambo stops human trafficking, John Rambo has a daughter that he never knew about and has to kill everything in his path in order to extricate her from godless drug-lords...This, though...The honest-to-God storyline that has just been given the green-light...Friggin' pinch me, man.  This is just too cool for school.

"Rambo V" will take place in a very familiar environment (at least to the protagonist), that being the Pacific Northwest.  It was the setting of "First Blood."  Brian Dennehy still refuses to go anywhere near Seattle.  I don't blame him.

Get this..."Rambo V" is gonna be a sci-fi picture.  Kinda.

The United States military is conducting genetic experiments, trying to come up with the ultimate fighting machine.  They have mixed results when only human DNA is being mucked with.  Enter mixing human and animal DNA.  My good God, has no-one else read the book "The Island of Doctor Moreau?"

Yeah, the United States military creates a kill-happy monster (or monsters, the script isn't set in stone quite yet).  Unbelievably, it/they get loose and John Rambo, the "world's greatest tracker" is put in charge of a small platoon of the US military's finest.  Their mission?  You guessed it.  Capture or kill these beasts by any means necessary.

Rambo even has a sidekick, some 22 year-old fella named Beau.  This guarantees more spoken dialogue by John Rambo than any other entry in the franchise.  And maybe more than all of the previous entries combined.

This is basically "Rambo Vs. Predator."  The blogosphere is simply abuzz with folks being horrified about the direction that this franchise is taking.

Me?  I couldn't be happier.  Hell, I wanna see this movie right NOW!

Seriously, if you are a person who has followed Stallone's career and you don't wanna see this flick...There is just straight-up something wrong with you.

That is all.

Goddammit, Jimmy Carter

[Posted by Keith Konior]

I will apologize from the get-go about the title of my post, but I refuse to change it, feeling as strongly as I do about its content.

Ex-President Jimmy Carter has gone on record as saying that he feels that the admittedly inexcusable outburst from Rep. Joe Wilson (R - SC) was "based on racism."

"There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president," Carter continued.

This is going to be one of my few posts that doesn't involve sports, movies or music, as I dislike remarking on stuff that I don't know much about.  Don't get used to it.

Luckily, this ain't something that I have to do any research on.  I know dumb-ass when I hear it.

If the "inherent feeling" were anywhere near as pervasive as Carter feels it is, Obama would never have been elected.  He was.

This has absolutely nothing to do with President Obama being black. Nothing.  The fundamental changes in our federal government that are being proffered are understandably ruffling feathers and scaring people.  This president is bustin' ass to do as much as he can as quick as he can.  If your party basically controlled the nation, you'd try to get your shit passed before the opposing party could stop you, too.

But I digress.  Obama's politics and beliefs are not what I am talking about, here. 

How on earth did Jimmy Carter come up with racism?  How?  I am utterly flummoxed.  This issue of universal health-care has been a political bugaboo for...well, forever.  It began to be a serious political subject long before Barack Obama was born.  Ted Kennedy called it "his life's purpose."

Anyway, I have done my reading and something that I found quite egregious was the fact that our own President Carter said that the south was mostly responsible for this "racism," even though we've "come a long way."

Dude, take a random walk around Atlanta.  You will be more likely to find a guy that knows where to find a decent bagel than a "darkie" that knows where to get good chitlins.  Carter's remarks were ignorant, ill-informed and frankly hurtful.

I think that Jimmy Carter owes us an apology.

And, even though the death of professional civility is hurting our culture, I still like to think that it exists.

But, in the words of the great Sam Malone...

"This is just one guys opinion."

EDIT - AL here...thought I'd add a link to NRO's editorial on the Carter statement Konior discusses above.  The snippet:

Jimmy Carter now has done to his ex-presidency what he did to his presidency, which is to say that he has, through his incessant moral preening, converted mere incompetence into something more unseemly. Mr. Carter thunders that those who oppose President Obama’s plans to nationalize the health-care industry, and those who oppose other elements of the president’s agenda, are doing so for reasons of racism.

...This showy self-righteousness is of a piece with Mr. Carter’s other forays into political controversy, for instance in his likening of Israelis attempting to protect themselves from murderous terrorists bent on bombing schools and pizza shops to Apartheid-era South African hooligans and the Bull Connors of the Jim Crow South. Mr. Carter’s cheap moralizing and his obsequiousness before such killers as Yasser Arafat left the Middle East much worse off than he found it, not least for those Palestinians with whom he later confessed himself to be “in love.”

Let us not forget the unseemly spectacle of a clearly anti-semitic, dictator loving, failed President lecturing on prejudice. The last line:

...he has gone from hammering nails into Habitat for Humanity houses to hammering what remains of his reputation to smithereens. The nation was poorer for his presidency and is poorer still for his emeritus shenanigans.

Indeed.

That is all.

Eight Years On...

Never forget.  I can't.  I won't. 

EDIT - A little more from the incomparable Lileks,

On the Hewitt show tonight I started talking about 9/11, and my mouth overran my head, because somewhere down there is a core of anger that hasn’t diminished a joule. This doesn’t mean anything, by itself – anger is an emotion that believes its justification is self-evident by its very existence. Passion is not an argument; rage is not a plan. But as the years go by I find myself as furious now as I was furious then – and no less unmanned by the sight of the planes and the plumes. Once a year I watch the thing I cobbled together from the footage I Tivo’d, and the day is bright and real and true again.

Me too, James.  Me too.  That is all.

The Beatles Reissues

[Posted by Keith Konior]

I was at my local "Best Buy" thirty-minutes before they opened on September 9, 2009.  I knew I wasn't getting my sweaty mitts on the stereo box-set, but I at least wanted to be able to pick and choose which albums I was gonna buy (I gave myself a $100 limit).  Before I continue, here are the albums I bought:

1) Please Please Me
2) With the Beatles
3) A Hard Day's Night
4) Beatles For Sale
5) Rubber Soul
6) Revolver
7) Sgt. Pepper's Lonley Hearts Club Band
8) The Beatles (the White Album)

I did not buy my favourite Beatle record, "Abbey Road" because it was retardedly packaged with a t-shirt.  It was like, 28 bucks and it didn't have a sticker on it that said "this t-shirt is guaranteed to fit you, fat man."

In all, I spent 115 dollars (fifteen bucks over my self-imposed limit, such a madcap am I).  Even buying the albums was a pleasant experience.  There was a whole pack of us Beatlemaniacs there, and we were not shy about discussing the band and trying to stump one another with arcane Beatle trivia.  The guy that I really clicked with was a fellow who was the spitting image of Fred Gwynn.  Yeah, it was me and Herman Munster gushing about the Fab Four.

Well, enough about the shopping experience.  How do the bloody things sound?

In a word, "holymotherofgodthatisjustsoawesomeneverheardthatbefore."

Note: I listened to these records using a pair of Grado SR-80 headphones.

I have always wanted to hear the first four Beatle records in stereo.  Now I have and it was everything that I thought that it would be.  It was like listening to them for the first time.  I am obviously not a purist.

I know that the engineers worked on this project for four years.  However, I was skeptical as to how much better they could make these old recordings sound.  Very skeptical, to be honest.  But, as I no longer have the original 1987 CD's, buying them was a necessity and not a risk.

Simply put, the main beneficiary of this revamped Beatle sound is Paul McCartney.  Back in the day, LP's were produced with the lower frequencies (i.e. bass guitar & bass drum) reduced so as to prevent the needle from skipping.  The '87 CD's were pretty much direct ports of these LP's.  And they were lacking Paul's masterful bass guitar-playing.  You get to hear him now!  It's nice!  Ringo is beneficiary number two, as his drums are much crisper and up-front than the recordings that I grew up on.

Lastly, we need to talk about the vocals.  Across the board, they are not just improved, they are a REVELATION.  There is no way that I can put into words how much better these extraordinary Liverpudlians sound on these new CD's.  Hell, they might be too good...I have heard Paul's voice cracking in a couple of places where I never noticed it before.

Anyway, in the last twenty years, artists have come out with "newly remastered" CD's of their masterworks every few years (Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Elvis Costello, I am talking to you) just to take advantage of the audiophiles that just cannot resist buying the "new, better stuff."  The Beatles have resisted this cash-cow for years, maybe to their detriment.  These recordings have cried out for years to be improved upon.  The original 1987 Compact Disc release of "With the Beatles" is a case in point.  That thing is almost unlistenable.  Shrill and grating are the kindest words that I can come up with to describe that release.

The Beatles did the classy thing.  They were perhaps overzealous in protecting their catalog, but they certainly didn't try to gouge you every couple of years with a "new and improved" set of albums.  It has been 22 years since the greatest band in the world released their stuff on CD.

And now some of the greatest producers and technicians on earth have used every available means to make them sound as good as they possibly can.

It was worth the wait.

That is all.

Braves MVP: 2009 Edition

A game thread post by Mac Thomason at Braves Journal caused me to consider the MVP for the Braves this year, at least thus far.  There are actually quite a few people to consider, which is a good place to be.  The list I came up with cheats, just slightly, but I think gives a good overview of the club at this point in the season:

1. Yunel Escobar - This is really an indisputable fact.  His numbers are truly telling.  He leads or is close in every offensive category and his defense has been extraordinary.

2. Javier Vazquez/Jair Jurrjens - These two guys have solidified the pitching rotation and it is somewhat difficult to distinguish the two.  If one is number two, then the other is number three.  While they may not have the numbers in wins to back up the claim, the result is in little way their own fault.  They have consistently given us a chance to win the game and I can't think of anything more valuable.

3. Brian McCann - The clear leader of the team and does not make the top spot only due to some stretches where he has fallen into slumps, either due to his eyes or mechanics (or even simply bad luck.)  He has picked up the slack from a slumping Chipper Jones.

4. Rafael Soriano - While the team has struggled to find a consistent bullpen, one man nailed it down and that was Soriano.  When Gonzalez began to falter, he stepped in and saved a number of close games.  He's given up a few poorly timed home runs, but no one else in the pen has been as dependable (honorable mention goes to Moylen, though his arm should fall off any day now.)

5. Martin Prado - Of all the fixes attempted this year, no one person has stood out as a replacement as much as this guy.  McLouth over Schafer has been an improvement, LaRoche over Kotchman too it seems, but replacing Prado over Johnson has not only given the team some well timed hits, but a new found confidence.  Prado is the face of that, in my mind.

I could make an argument for Tommy Hanson (especially over Tom Glavine) and of course, the replacement of anyone over Jeff Francoeur was immensely helpful, but the guys above have made the difference between this year and the last.  Chipper is still the Hall of Fame player he'll end up being, but he's had a down year (and frankly, I still think he's injured.)  He has not been the MVP, to be sure.  In truth, the real MVP of the team in 2009 should probably be Frank Wren, a point Konior brought up recently in this space.  Wren's decisions, perhaps more than anything else, have placed this team in a position to win.  The guys have certainly been fun to watch this year.  That is all.

Viva Las Vegas (and Carol Konior)

[Posted by Keith Konior]

On this date, in 1977, Elvis Aaron Presley (AKA The King of Rock n' Roll) breathed his last.  In 1941, one of his biggest fans was born.  That woman is my mother, Georgia Carol Konior.  She just loved Elvis.  Still does.

Even though Elvis' story was a cautionary tale, few have seemed to heed it.  Even Michael Jackson, who was briefly married to Elvis' daughter, and voiced his fears about ending up just like Elvis...well, ended up just like Elvis.

So...The King is dead, long live the King.

And, happy birthday, Ma.  I love you.

That is all.

Michael Vick / I Hate Myself

[Posted by Keith Konior]

Convicted felon and ex- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick drowned, body slammed, hanged and electrocuted dogs that did not perform viciously enough during the almost six-years that he ran "Bad Newz Kennels."  He spent his first big NFL dollars bankrolling this illegal dog fighting "business," and he was heavily involved with its day-to-day operations.  When "sparring partners" were needed to keep the most vicious fighting dogs at their bloodthirsty best, he, without hesitation, put his own family pets into the ring, only to gleefully see them ripped to pieces. 

This is a bad man.

I was outraged when the story broke.  I love dogs.  Pit Bulls, not so much...But they were still victims of untold cruelty.  I swore and cursed him out loud.  F#@k Vick!  I was literally beside myself with anger.  I would never forgive him.  He should never be allowed to play in the NFL ever again.  Extreme cruelty to animals is one of the big warning signs of a budding serial killer.  So is wetting the bed after the age of five.  Oh, yeah...And arson.  I have no idea if Mike Vick has a secret shame of having to send his bedsheets to the cleaners in the middle of the night and then burning said dry-cleaners down...See?  These were the extreme thoughts that I had about our quarterback right after the story broke.  Even though Michael Vick is not a serial killer...

Mike keeps calling his involvement in an inhumane enterprise like this for the better part of a decade a "mistake."  A mistake is parking in your boss' parking space or stubbing your toe on the bedpost.  What he did was just six years of doing wrong.  And getting caught.

This is a bad man.

Flash forward 23 months.  Vick is signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.  Donovan McNabb says publicly that he was instrumental in getting Vick signed, even though many sources intimately familiar with the subject say that that is BS.  Colts ex-head coach Tony Dungy, who has perhaps more credibility than anyone in the NFL universe, is Vick's mentor and strongest supporter.  If Vick screws this up, I will actually feel terrible on this good Christian man's behalf.

Vick has said all of the right things and he has done all of the right things.  His first press-conference was obviously not scripted and he held his own with every question that he was asked.

I do have to say, however, that I take umbrage with the soundbites that say stuff like "people have done worse."  Do you personally know anyone who has done worse?  I seriously doubt it.

Dammit, this is a bad man.

All of that said, here is my shame.  I am ridiculously excited about Michael Vick's return to the gridiron.  I want to see him back on the field.  This is a singularly talented athlete.  He is uniquely explosive and just a blast to watch.  He is not a prototypical quarterback, to be sure...But, man, he's just a playmaker.  His 53% passing completion be damned, he is just a guy that makes stuff happen.

So, after all of my blustering protestations, I have to shamefacedly admit that I am glad that Michael Vick is back in the NFL.

And that is where the "I Hate Myself" part comes in.

God help me, that is all.

Frank Wren...Psychic?

[Posted by Keith Konior]

He looked like a villian, didn't he?  Discarding Braves' legend Tom Glavine without a second thought.  Telling another future Hall-of-Famer, that being John Smoltz, that he was not willing to pay what was being asked for his services.

HA!

Tommy Glavine hasn't had a nibble so far as employment goes...Not one.  John Smoltz has, on the other hand, been designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox.  It seems that a record of 2 - 5 and an ERA of 8.32 was not what they had in mind when they signed him to an insane $5.5 million dollar deal for ONE FREAKING YEAR.

The Atlanta Braves are not a contender this year.  On this date, that being August 8, 2009, it is official.  They are not gonna make the playoffs.  But, to Wren's credit, he did not choose to trade away the future of the franchise  by giving away any of our very talented farm system players in a desperate attempt to sieze the day this year.

Wren did what he could.  I liked the move for us gettin' that Garrett Anderson fellow.  I loved the move that he made getting Nate McClouth.  We have that young man for a couple of more seasons, at a very reasonable price.  The man (Wren) did everything he could to try and win this year.

Our starting pitching is excellent.  Superimpose our starting pitchers numbers over those of the LA Dodgers...They'd have won a billion games already.  We need power, plain and simple.  The Atlanta Braves do not have power.  Nor do they have speed.

I feel badly for the Braves legends that are Smoltz and Glavine, I really do.  But Frank Wren was right to cut them loose in order to make way for future masters like our own Tommy Hanson.  Frank didn't do the popular things, he simply did the right things.

And for that, I salute him.

P.S.  This is Hurd's guest-blogger, Keith Konior.

P.P.S.  That is all.

Guest Blogger - Keith Konior

Given that my blog has seen less activity from myself in recent days, I thought I would open up the floor to someone else that might be able to assist in adding content.  Thus from time to time you may get a post from my good friend Keith Konior.  He'll let you know when it is him speaking.  Hopefully it adds to the blog and as stated - adds content.  I'll certainly be adding stuff myself as it comes up but hopefully an added voice helps keep ye olde blog moving forward.  That is all.

4th of July, 2009

[Reposted from last year]

Every year, it's nice to do something to remember this day and what it means to us as a nation.  Having looked at various aspects of the holiday before, I thought it might be interesting to remind that not only do we celebrate the birth of a nation on the 4th, but so too the deaths of two of its greatest founders - Jefferson and Adams.  The two both died on this day in 1826, hours apart.  Adams final words were, "Thomas Jefferson survives" when in fact, Thomas Jefferson had predeceased his friend.  A rivalry to the final breath.

It's also important to note that Adams himself, among the many things he brought this country, was perhaps the first to suggest we celebrate this day in the manner in which we do.  In a letter to Abigail he discusses his thoughts for what the 4th means,

"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."

We have celebrated thusly ever since as I am sure many and most of you will do today.  I am grateful for my country and grateful to the men and women that defend her.  Happy birthday, United States of America.  I hope it's a great day.  That is all.

The Longest Night

Since I've been working on a new bit of writing lately, I thought I would add it here for anyone interested in reading it.  Note that it likely still has some typos and such in there, though hopefully I've caught most of them.  I'm not entirely sure I like the story, to be honest.  But I want to keep "in shape" as it were in my writing so anything works for me right now.  I'm also going for mood here which is something I think needs work in my stuff.  Some scenes work better than others. 

The story takes place in an alternate history of which I've only begun to sketch out.  It is not that far from our own so it should feel familiar.  It jumps between a few periods of time and as I go further, there will be more of that.  I am going for a serial feel to the narrative so each chapter should feel like an episode in that ongoing story.  But it will not last forever.  There is a definite end there somewhere.  Just not sure where yet.  Like I said, I am using this work as practice.

As I complete each episode, I'll add a link to it here.  To read along with my writing and others reading, you can always head over to the Paradox forums and find this along with much of my other work (as well as some fantastic writing by others.)  I go by coz1 there.

Episode I

 

If you read through it and have some thoughts, please feel free to add them below in the comments section, or even sign up at Paradox and respond there.  It's a fun group of folks.  That is all.

Michael Jackson Dies at 50

So...I hear tell this Michael Jackson fella died yesterday.  Lot's of sadness out there and some even calling it a tragedy.  Hmm.  I guess I don't particularly feel that way.  Sure, I am sad for his family as I would be for anyone that lost a loved one.  But the Michael Jackson I appreciated died years ago...like, early to mid 90's.  Even before child molestation charges came out, he was already a strange joke of the master he once was.  I'll give you thatat least..at one point, he was a master.  He mastered just about every form of advertising and entertainment.  He was a huge star.  And he recorded a number of songs that I still enjoy.  But I cannot say I am feeling much grief over his death as I am rather "grieved out" after these past fifteen years or so.  The genius may have caused that downturn, but it happened nonetheless.  I cannot even say it is a shame he did not have his comeback chance because he did...many times over.  And every time, he was just a bit more frightening.  And that's the sadness...that's the tragedy.  Not his eventual end which we will all succumb to someday.  I will say rest in peace, Michael.  You gave me some good memories and this is at least a good chance to recall the 80's......................................and that's done.  That is all.

Nazi Zombies? Gotta See That!

I have not had much to put up here of late but I did run across a preview for a new film coming out this year that looks to be a must see for zombie fans...and myself in particular.

Oh!  My!  God!! 

That is all.

2009 Major League Baseball Preseason Picks

No, I have not abandoned my little corner or the internets, folks.  I just didn't have anything to say at present.  Or better yet, have decided to hold off on political posting for the meantime, and am lucky to have the baseball season upon us in short order (tonight for Braves and Phillies fans.)  Since I have some little time left, let me put out my picks for the oncoming season.  How right am I?  Have I studied the teams enough?  Do I have any idea of what I am talking about?  You may be the judge of that.  I, of course, think I am spot on and perfect.  Thus the picks:

American League East

• New York Yankees
• Tampa Bay Rays (WC)
• Boston Red Sox
• Toronto Blue Jays
• Baltimore Orioles

This is among the toughest divisions not only to play in but so too to pick.  Many are picking the Sox to win the whole thing.  I just don't see how they get by without Manny given the strengths of the other teams.  The Yankees have become younger and cheaper all at once.  I still don't entirely trust that Sabathia will be the best buy in the long run, but for now he remains a stellar pitcher and with the addition of him and Burnett (with Pettitte in the 5th starter role) they have a decent rotation.  So too do the Rays return a very strong team.  They will not surprise this year, but they will compete with great pitching and defense and young players capable of the big play.  They may drop a bit from last year's height.  This leaves the Sox the odd man out.  Boston will still compete however, leaving Toronto and Baltimore the punching bags of the division.

American League Central

• Cleveland Indians
• Detroit Tigers
• Chicago White Sox
• Minnesota Twins
• Kansas City Royals

In great contrast to their eastern league members, the central division is not a strong one.  In truth, it is difficult to figure if the west or central is worse, top to bottom.  The teams in this division all maintain a strong core of good players, but each lack the players to round out the staff in such a way as to dominate.  Of them all, I think Cleveland is the best bet to win out, though Detroit has the capabilities, with strong performances by all involved, to come out ahead.  Chicago and Minnesota both do not have sufficient strength to counter their betters and the Royals remains a wasteland of a team and an embarrassment to Kansas City and the league.  Every time I hold out some hope for them, they let me down.

American League West

• Anaheim Angels of California in Los Angeles
• Oakland Athletics
• Texas Rangers
• Seattle Mariners

The Angels remain the class of this division on paper but they start the season with starting pitching woes.  Due to that, the gap between them and a vastly improved Oakland lessons, but I still think the Angels win out.  Texas may have some talent, but not enough to win the division and Seattle only has Junior's return to cheer.  They have a season full of one last lap to rejoice over and that's nice.

National League East

• Philadelphia Phillies
• Atlanta Braves (WC)
• New York Mets
• Florida Marlins
• Washington Nationals

I cannot pick the Braves to win the division this year, however it would not shock me to see such an outcome.  The Phillies must be given some respect for winning it all last year and their core remains solid, though injury to Cole Hamels is troublesome.  The Mets have improved themselves as well, though their hapless management remains paramount in my mind when I consider them.  I do think the Braves and Mets will be very close this year and if the Braves squeak into the wild card slot, it will be by a very, very close margin.  The Marlins too have a sneaky bunch down there and it is possible their youthful and talented team could and likely will compete.  And the Natspos remain a joke, sorry to say.  They may be a difficult team to keep down but they will not win.

National League Central

• Chicago Cubs
• Milwaukee Brewers
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Cincinnati Reds
• Houston Astros
• Pittsburgh Pirates

Chicago is clearly the class of this division and may be poised to be best in the league if everything hits on all cylinders, but when does that ever happen?  They have little fear from their division members, however.  Milwaukee and St. Louis are a step ahead and both Cincinnati and Houston have some promising parts, but none have a whole enough to compete with Chicago.  And Pittsburgh remains the pits (excuse the pun.)

National League West

• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Arizona Diamondbacks
• San Francisco Giants
• Colorado Rockies
• San Diego Padres

Again, the Dodgers are far and away better than the other teams here.  Arizona and San Fran both have talent and the Rockies can compete a little, but none have the all around tools like Los Angeles.  The Manny signing helps tremendously.  San Diego is treading water and look for Jake Peavy to be moved before the trade deadline.  I read talk that the Angels are interested and that may be a good fit.

For the postseason:

Division Series:
Yankees over Indians
Rays over Angels
Phillies over Los Angeles
Cubs over Braves

Championship Series:
Yankees over Rays
Cubs over Phillies

World Series:
Cubs over Yankees in seven games

And there you have it.  It sucks picking against the Braves given such good pitching, but I still think they lack enough offense to really compete with the big boys and their wild card will be luck more than anything (if they even make it that far.)  The Cubs are due and have a very good team, all things considered.  I might pick the Yankees, Rays or even the Phillies again to win it all (or even Boston or the Mets if they were to make it to the postseason), but I am sticking with the Cubs.  Call it a sentimental pick.  We'll revisit at the end of the season and see how I did.  Hopefully more baseball blogging in the near future.  I am certainly excited about the season starting yet again.  It is always a highlight of my year.  That is all.