Quick Hits: Volume XLVII

-I can't seem to keep up with the latest liberal chanting points. On one side, I read how the Tea Party movement has lost its influence all over the nation and that they've had little impact leading up to the 2012 campaigns.

But then Wednesday I hear the insufferable and vacuous Debbie Wasserman Schultz dredge up that despicable slander of how the Tea Party "rhetoric" resulted in the shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords a little more than a year ago.

"We need to make sure that we tone things down, particularly in light of the Tucson tragedy from a year ago, where my very good friend, Gabby Giffords -- who is doing really well, by the way, -- [was shot]," Wasserman Schultz, the Democratic National Committee chair said during a "Politics and Eggs" forum this morning. "The discourse in America, the discourse in Congress in particular . . . has really changed, I'll tell you. I hesitate to place blame, but I have noticed it take a very precipitous turn towards edginess and lack of civility with the growth of the Tea Party movement."

Question for ya, Ms. W-S. Which movement has been more prominent in its lack of civility, not to mention actually partaking in violence? Would that be the Tea Party or Occupy Wall Street? Before you answer, here's a cheat sheet for ya.


-From the ridiculous to the sublime, I'd like to take a minute to highlight the blog of my pal Danielle Teal. It's one thing to make a New Years resolution, but it's something different to make a substantial commitment and stick to it.

Every day for each of the 366 days (remember, it's a leap year) of 2012, DT has made a vow to enact a "random act of kindness." Whether it's an act of service for someone in need or expressing appreciation of another person's work, Danielle will document her progress daily. I'm honored to call Danielle a buddy not only because she's cool but also how she unwittingly causes me to assess my own selflessness. I guess that too can be considered an act of kindness.


-University of Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, who also won the 2011 Heisman Trophy, has officially declared for the 2012 NFL Draft.

With the Indianapolis Colts selecting #1 overall, it's pretty much a forgone conclusion they will take Stanford QB Andrew Luck. Since the St. Louis Rams, who will pick second overall, already have their franchise QB and left tackle in Sam Bradford and Rodger Saffold, respectively, it's likely they'll draft based on a myriad of other needs.

That leaves my Minnesota Vikings at #3. While the jury is still out on whether or not Christian Ponder is the long-term answer at QB, there's no way the Vikings pull the plug after he's had only ten starts. So could it be that the Vikings will draft Griffin with the third choice and then trade him to a QB-starved team who picks in the top 10? That way the Vikes could accumulate additional draft choices, including a top 10 selection. I feel it's a very plausible scenario since the Vikings themselves have many holes to fill, so it would behoove them to rebuild through the draft. The likely trade partners could be the Washington Redskins, who pick sixth, or the Miami Dolphins, who will have their fate determined by a coin flip on whether they'll go 8th or 9th.

Yes, this is the magic of the NFL. Even though your favorite team may have been out of playoff contention before Columbus Day, there's always something going on to pique your interest.

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