Strib Follies.

I don’t subscribe to the Minneapolis Star Tribune but the company where I work indeed does.

Seeing the actual hard copy newspaper, as opposed to the online version, helps me visualize how the Strib prioritizes their news.

Check out the stories in this morning’s edition:

Michele Bachmann, who is running for the US House of Representatives, confesses her strong Christian faith at a local church where the pastor states his support for her candidacy. As a result, the IRS looks to investigate Living Word Christian Center to be sure they aren’t violating their tax-exempt status. According to the Strib, that is front page news.

Meanwhile a staffer on the campaign of Patty Wetterling, Bachmann’s opponent, was fired Tuesday due to his unethical attempts to gain access to the Bachmann campaign strategy. Certainly that’s big news, right? Nah. Page B2 of the Metro Local Twin Cites & Region section seemed to suffice.

How about the man convicted in the drunken-driving crash which killed Timberwolves player Malik Sealy back in 2000? Souksangouane Phengsene was pulled over this past weekend with a blood alcohol level of 0.21, more than twice the legal limit. Phengsene was only two years removed from the end of the prison sentence he served for killing Sealy. Conveniently left out of that story (buried on page B5 of that same Twin Cities & Region section, by the way) is the fact that Hennepin County attorney (and current Democratic candidate for the US Senate) Amy Klobuchar sought the four-year jail term for Phengsene. Ah, but I guess that’s not relevant to the story.

I have to admit I’m just a novice. I don’t read the newspaper enough to decipher what’s important news and what is merely fluff.

Can anyone help me out here?

Reports of Michele Bachmann's demise....

Despite his oh so obvious liberal leanings, Star Tribune columnist Nick Coleman is a regular read for me. I would even go so far as to say I have enjoyed some of his musings. Unfortunately, his worthwhile efforts are all too often overshadowed by his condescension, belligerence and flat out ignorance.

Mr. Coleman manages to indulge in all three characteristics with his latest offering.


Weirdest. Election. Ever.

And there are still three weeks of campaigning to go.

More evidence that the country is off its rocker comes with news that a Twin Cities pastor named Mac Hammond has endorsed congressional candidate Michele Bachmann from the same TV stage he uses to promise salvation to the faithful and worldly riches, too.


First offering from Nick: Condescension.

As if there is something wrong with worldly riches.

Jesus himself said in John 10:9-10 “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.


Hammond calls himself a businessman and presides over the Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park. I haven't heard him preach, but I know people who love his upbeat Bible-based message that the Lord wants us all to be "winners" and that he will help us find earthly success while we await our heavenly reward.

Hammond calls his program "The Winner's Way" (poor people, I'm afraid, are not just losers, but sinners, too).


Now Mr. Coleman throws in a small dash of belligerence.

Genesis 1:26-27 says “Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

I would venture a guess that the Almighty hardly considers Himself a loser. Therefore, all humans (rich or poor) would definitely be considered winners all around. When God gives of his only son so that we may not perish but have eternal life, it appears we’ve already won. It’s now our choice whether or not we live in the abundance He desires us to have.



(Hammond) also sells books and videos about the Rapture and the soon-to-come end of the world. Bottom line: We better hurry up and find worldly success, because time is running out. For all of us. Including Michele Bachmann.


Uh, define worldly success there, Nick. Bachmann had a prestigious career as a tax litigation attorney and her husband has been quite successful in his own independent business. By the world’s standards, they epitomize success. In your view, I suppose a position of power (i.e. member of Congress) is merely another way to augment her worldly success. Yeah, I guess it’s totally out of the realm of possibility that Bachmann is running for Congress to … oh, I don’t know….faithfully and passionately serve the people in the 6th CD.


Time may be really short for Bachmann: There are just 20 days to the election, and polls show the conservative Republican falling behind Patty Wetterling, a DFLer, in the race for the Sixth Congressional District seat.


You mean that poll in your newspaper? Yeah, that’s credible.


I'll miss her.

Bachmann is rich material, and is known for her controversial stance on outlawing gay marriage and her role in organizing pray-ins at the State Capitol. She once held hands in a prayer circle around the desk of an openly gay state senator. She was also caught spying on a Capitol gay rights rally while squatting behind a bush.

Maybe the bush spoke.


Well, if you can determine that is Michele Bachmann in that photo of the aforementioned “gay rights rally” then you should be able to read the license plate number on that gray pick-up near said bush.


Bachmann gave Christian "testimonies" at services in Hammond's church last weekend, discussing her faith and revealing that Jesus "called" her to run for Congress. This falls into the category of personal belief and merits no comment, or judgment, from anyone else, least of all me. Everyone has their beliefs. But here's where it gets troublesome:

Rev. Hammond, urging his flock to vote (registration materials were on hand in the lobby), strongly endorsed Bachmann's candidacy, saying he intended to vote for her. He says he was only expressing his personal opinion, but to do so in church may have been a violation of IRS rules against churches making political endorsements (a complaint has been filed with the IRS).


Bachmann is running for Congress, the legislative branch of government. This is a position designed to make laws. Romans 13:1 says “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

You said it yourself, Nick. Everyone has their beliefs. Wouldn’t it behoove Rev. Hammond to support a candidate who he believes would operate under the purview of God’s authority?

Besides, I don't recall a complaint being filed after a certain Democratic candidate for President spoke at a Baptist church in October 2004. In fact, Rev. Gaston E. Smith of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Miami endorsed Kerry, saying, "To bring our country out of despair, despondency and disgust, God has a John Kerry."


Here's what I think: 1) If Rev. Mac says Bachmann is part of the Winner's Way, and, 2) She says the Lord has called her to Congress, and, 3) I hope to find success in this life before the Rapture comes, well, then, 4) I better not take any chances.

I have begun to think the end really is near, by the way. And not just the end of the election. Something is up. For one thing, the battle over whether it would be wise to preserve the separation of church and state is over. The church won.

Bachmann's supporters sometimes literally have thumped Bibles on the heads of secular citizens inside the Capitol. (Such an indignity was visited in 2004 on Sue Rockne, the well-known women's rights activist, who died last year.) And Bachmann has been among the leaders of the religious right in her party who have tried for years to break down the church-and-state barrier. Their campaign has been so successful that maybe Rev. Hammond thought the battle was over.

"I don't want any more letters about 'Church and politics don't mix,' " Hammond scolded his congregation after Bachmann spoke, almost daring anyone to object. "If [a belief in separation of church and state] is your opinion, then you need to get saved."

There you have it.

If you are a believer in separation of church and state, you will find yourself in the burning pit. Pretty simple.


Ah, the favorite liberal myth: Separation of church and state, something they believe is in the Constitution. With that, Coleman has completed the trifecta with his ignorance.

What the Constitution in fact says is that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Churches cannot mandate the way members of a congregation will vote. And that is certainly not what Rev. Hammond was advocating. At the same time, the vast majority of Christians believe strongly in the sanctity of life. I am quite certain they would appreciate in knowing the caliber of people they are sending to Washington to make laws.

Oh, and the religion has already been established at Living Word: It’s called “Christianity.” And the government had nothing to do with that establishment.


A lot of us need saving, then. And we better get at it, because the end is near. The election is Nov. 7, and not everyone will wake up the next day on "Winner's Way."

Some will wake up losers.


I hate to break it to you, Nick. My salvation is not predicated on who wins elections.

Is yours?

Patriot Radio Rally.

My wife and I were privileged to be able to attend the Town Hall rally last evening, sponsored by AM 1280 The Patriot.

National radio host Hugh Hewitt was the moderator for this event.

The lineup of speakers featured Senator Norm Coleman as well as other prominent Republicans looking to represent Minnesota in Congress.

-Alan Fine, republican candidate in the 5th Congressional District. Fine’s particular race has drawn national attention due to the prospects of his opponent, democrat Keith Ellison, becoming the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress. Ellison himself has been under tremendous scrutiny due to his ties to the Nation of Islam as well as some anti-Semitic statements he allegedly has made. Ellison is so controversial that even the Star and Sickle Tribune must be nervous. So apprehensive is the Strib that they went ahead and totally misrepresented events surrounding an 11-year old domestic dispute between Fine and his former wife. While they aren’t crazy about Ellison, I guess the Star Trib wants to make this race a “lesser of two evils” decision. While I admire Fine and his convictions he would bring to Washington, a set of those wind-up chattering teeth could run as a Democrat in the 5th and still receive a majority vote. To say Fine has an uphill battle would be an understatement.

-Michele Bachmann, republican candidate in the 6th Congressional District. By far the most impassioned speech given last night was delivered by Bachmann. Her race against Democrat Patty Wetterling has also drawn national publicity, in part because of Wetterling’s shameless exploitation (and flat out lying) in regards to the Mark Foley scandal. Nonetheless, Bachmann has continued to run her campaign with the same conviction and enthusiasm which has made her one of the more high-profile local politicians. While other Republicans in national races have distanced themselves from President Bush, Bachmann has graciously welcomed his efforts to boost her election prospects. Her passionate stance on family issues has made her a favorite amongst true conservatives.

-Mark Kennedy, republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. Fresh of his “Meet The Press” debate with democrat challenger Amy Klobuchar, Kennedy assured the audience that the polls showing him 21 points behind were absolutely false. While he made no bones about the fact that he is indeed trailing (maybe by 8 or 9 points), Kennedy made a plea to us in the base to mobilize our efforts these next three weeks because he is actually within striking distance. With Republicans having a scant 55 to 44 majority in the Senate, a pick-up here of a Democratic held seat (Senator Mark “Evacuatin’” Dayton is vacating his position) would all but ensure the GOP maintaining a majority. Besides, as Kennedy has so eloquently stated, you don’t change Washington politics by sending another lawyer. However, D.C could use at least one CPA, which Kennedy happens to be.

How critical is it to have the majority in the US Senate? When Senator Coleman was elected in 2002, he became, at the time, the 51st Republican senator. That allowed a judge by the name of John Roberts to receive an up-or-down vote on an appointment to a Federal appeals court. As we all know, Judge Roberts is now known as Chief Justice Roberts, Supreme Court of the United States. Now, with five of the nine justices over 70 years of age, there will be an opportunity to re-shape the Supreme Court for many years to come. I know I’m not thrilled at the prospects of Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT) heading up the judiciary committee should the Democrats wrest control of the Senate.

And the House of Representatives? How about Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader John Murtha?

Need I say more?

Hewitt then wrapped up the evening with an insightful 30-minute monologue concluded by a Q&A session.

Captain Ed Morrissey live-blogged this portion of the event.

NFL Week 6: Taking the week off.

Like the Minnesota Vikings, I am taking a bye week. Therefore, I will not be doing my bit of picking NFL games against the point spread.

Perhaps it will be a week-to-week inspiration when I will select a few intriguing games.

But no prognostications this week.

Try to cope!

Last week: 5-7-2

Overall: 32-39-3

NFL Week 5.

As always, the following picks against the point spread are not to be used as a basis for a cash wager.


Titans (+18 ½) at Colts: The question here isn’t whether the Colts will win. Rather, will the Colts cover the point spread….by the end of the 1st quarter?
Pick: Colts

Redskins (+4 ½) at Giants: Through four weeks, I have as many sacks as Giants All-Pro DE Michael Strahan.
Pick: Redskins

Lions (+6 ½) at Vikings: My teenaged nephews, Nathan and Aaron, feel they could be the right side of the Viking offensive line and the Vikes would still beat the Lions. “Take Minnesota and the points, Uncle Brad.”
Pick: Vikings

Buccaneers (+6) at Saints: To avoid Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer, coach Jon Gruden has been using the service entrance upon arriving at Bucs headquarters.
Pick: Saints

Rams (-3) at Packers: This weeks Packers injury report: Brett Favre (mild concussion, pinched nerve in neck, sore shoulder, ringing in the ears) is probable.
Pick: Rams

Dolphins (+9 ½) at Patriots: After Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown failed in his attempt last week to complete a pass on a 2-point conversion, coach Nick Saban has suspended use of gadget plays. And here I was looking forward to QB Daunte Culpepper’s attempt at a drop-kick.
Pick: Dolphins

Bills (+10 ½) at Bears: This week’s tongue twister: Poor Peerless Price pounded persistently and profusely.
Pick: Bills

Browns (+8) at Panthers: Panthers DE Julius Peppers to re-live his basketball days by swatting footballs out of the air. Panthers win, Browns cover. Pick: Browns

Jets (+7) at Jaguars: At 6’6” and 238 lbs, Jags WR Matt Jones could double as a bouncer for unruly fans at home games.
Pick: Jaguars

Chiefs (-3 ½) at Cardinals: Cards rookie QB Matt Leinart will be making his first career start. The words “rookie quarterback” to a defensive lineman are the equivalent to a bell ringing within earshot of Pavlov’s dog.
Pick: Chiefs

Raiders (+3 ½) at 49ers: Samuel Goldwyn once said “If I could drop dead right now, I'd be the happiest man alive.” He must have been a 49ers fan.
Pick: 49ers

Cowboys (+2 ½) at Eagles: Cowboys WR Terrell Owens returns to Philly for the first time since his exile from the Eagles. I equate that to my Uncle Frank returning to a family gathering for the first time since everyone found out he was dating his nephew’s ex-wife (True story, by the way).
Pick: Eagles

Steelers (+3 ½) at Chargers: With the Chargers planning on wearing the “throwback” powder-blue jerseys on Sunday, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger would like to go old school as well. He plans on donning the Terry Bradshaw hair piece.
Pick: Steelers

Ravens (+4) at Broncos: This week, Denver LB Nate Webster helped the Broncos' offense prepare for the Ravens by doing his best Ray Lewis impression. In the same mode, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan imitated trademark Brian Billick arrogance.
Pick: Broncos


Last Week: 7-7-0

Overall: 27-32-1

Sports shorts.

-If you have any discretionary income, you might want to head to Vegas. Once there, put a few bucks on the 2007 Texas Rangers winning the World Series.

Buck Showalter, the Rangers manager for the past four seasons, was fired yesterday. Showalter was also dismissed in his two previous managerial stints. He was let go by the New York Yankees after the 1995 season. The Yanks, led by manager Joe Torre, went on to win the World Series in 1996. Showalter was also fired by the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 2000 campaign. You guessed it, the Diamondbacks would go on to win it all in 2001.


-I know of at least one NFL team which is rooting for the Minnesota Twins to come back from a 2-0 deficit in the American League Division Series. Ironically, it is not the hometown Vikings. Sunday’s tilt at the Metrodome against the Detroit Lions would be bumped to Monday night if the Twins force a Game 5 against Oakland. Actually, it would be the Washington Redskins waving homer hankies these days. The Skins’ last two Super Bowl championships came after the regular seasons of 1987 and 1991. Those two years also marked the occurrences of the Twins claiming their two World Series titles.

"Culture of Death" is alive and well.

After 15-year-old Danny Rohrbough was killed in the Columbine High School shooting 7 ½ years ago, he was fondly remembered at his memorial service.


"You know, he might have lived," Grace Presbyterian Church pastor Dwight R. Blackstock told the crowd of more than 1,500 that overflowed the sanctuary and fellowship room and spread to folding chairs outside. "He might have lived if he'd have made a little different choice.

"Yet he chose to stay there and hold the door for others so that they might go out before him and make their way to safety. They made it and Danny didn't."

Blackstock said the 15-year-old's heroic act, "in the last few moments of his life on this Earth, was the kind of thing Jesus holds up as an example to us all. Jesus said, 'Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.'

"That's what Danny did."

Rohrbough was one of the first killed in the rampage, and the boy in the green shirt crumpled on the pavement was the first sure sign of the seriousness of the shooting to a nation watching live television.


On Monday evening Danny’s father, Brian, was asked to be a guest commentator on the CBS Evening News segment “Free Speech.” Mr. Rohrbough spoke frankly of the moral bankruptcy that is occurring in America.


This country is in a moral free-fall. For over two generations, the public school system has taught in a moral vacuum, expelling God from the school and from the government, replacing him with evolution, where the strong kill the weak, without moral consequences and life has no inherent value.

We teach there are no absolutes, no right or wrong. And I assure you the murder of innocent children is always wrong, including by abortion. Abortion has diminished the value of children.

Suicide has become an acceptable action and has further emboldened these criminals. And we are seeing an epidemic increase in murder-suicide attacks on our children.

Sadly, our schools are not safe. In fact, we now witness that within our schools. Our children have become a target of terrorists from within the United States.


Needless to say, this sent the radical left wingers into absolute frothing-at-mouth hysterics. This is the part I find most curious and borderline amusing. Many in this same crowd chastised those of us who dared take exception to Cindy Sheehan’s anti-American rhetoric after losing her son, Casey, in the Iraq war.

Ever since that tragic event in her life, Mrs. Sheehan has made it her life’s work to continually slander the Bush administration and the United States. From calling the murderous Iraqi insurgents “Freedom Fighters” to saying she would prefer to live under the Hugo Chavez regime as opposed to the George W. Bush presidency, Sheehan herself has created a firestorm of controversy. Yet, according to Maureen Dowd of the New York Times, we don’t dare criticize Mrs. Sheehan because “the moral authority of parents who bury children killed in Iraq is absolute."

There continues to be a debate over whether or not the Iraq war is a just conflict. I would venture to say that many Americans believe it is an unjust war resulting in their perspective that every life lost is a senseless death. While I reject that premise, for the sake of argument I will grant it here.

Can anyone think of a more senseless death than an innocent 15-year-old boy getting shot by two misguided youths? Danny Rohrbough could not even begin to fathom that his decision to attend school one morning would result in his demise. On the other hand, Casey Sheehan had to know that his enlistment in the military could very well result in him seeing combat, possibly resulting in his death.

Upon hearing the absolute frenzy caused by Brian Rohrbough’s comments, I get the feeling he doesn’t have the same “absolute moral authority” that has been granted Cindy Sheehan.

There’s a connection here. Sheehan seems to support the Iraqi insurgency. It is these insurgents who have a tendency to strap explosive devices to infants in an effort to wipe out their opponents. Meanwhile, the folks who are most likely to defend Sheehan’s pro-insurgency stance assuredly took exception to Mr. Rohrbough’s view on abortion.

Once again, the culture of death has made its members known.

Hey, Detroit Tigers fans: I Feel Your Pain!

As a fan of all the pro sports teams in Minnesota, I feel the pain of the Detroit Tigers devotees.

The Tigers were in first place since May and had a double digit lead in the American League Central for most of the Summer. It started to whittle away when Detroit, after a scorching 76-36 start, began to come back to the pack. Injuries to second baseman Placido Polanco and rookie phenom pitcher Justin Verlander seemed to stymie their momentum. Their once insurmountable lead vanished resulting in a tie with the Minnesota Twins going into the final game of the season. However, all it would take would be a win over the lowly Kansas City Royals and the Tigers would be the 2006 AL Central division champs. This is the same Royals team that had lost 15 of 18 contests to the Tigers in ’06.

Detroit had a nice 6-0 lead early in the game. However, as the game progressed, the pesky Royals chipped away at the lead, eventually forcing extra innings. With the score tied at 8 in the bottom of the 11th inning, the Tigers had the bases loaded and only one out and Brandon Inge at the plate. A medium deep fly ball would be all that it would take to push across the winning run. After missing a walk-off grand slam by mere feet, Inge struck out. With two out, Curtis Granderson when down on strikes as well. The Royals took advantage of the Tigers’ missed opportunities to push across two runs in the 12th to win 10-8.

The Tigers four-month stranglehold on the division had dissipated on the very last day of the regular season.

Rewind to the 2003 NFL season.

My favorite squad, the Minnesota Vikings, started the ’03 campaign with a 6-0 record. However, a slump in mid-season saw the Vikes’ once-comfortable lead in the NFC North division dwindle to just a game or two.

Nonetheless, with a 9-6 record going into the final game of the regular season, the Vikings merely needed to defeat a pathetic Arizona Cardinals team to clinch the division and a spot in the playoffs. The Vikes had a comfy 17-6 lead in the fourth quarter.

The Cards scored a late touchdown to make it 17-12.

No worries. Just recover the onside kick, fall on the ball and it’s off to the playoffs.

Inexplicably, Arizona recovers the onside kick.

The Cardinals are driving toward the goal line with less than a minute to go when Vikings rookie sensation Kevin Williams sacks Cards QB Josh McCown. Arizona then scrambles to run one final play. They get the snap off in time. McCown manages to elude the Vikings pass rush and roll to his right. With no time on the clock he fires toward the far right side of the end zone. Someone named Nathan Poole manages to snag the ball despite two Vikings defenders nearby.

Vikes lose 18-17.

A division they lead literally every second of the season was lost. Worse yet, the Green Bay Packers snatched a playoff birth as a result while the Vikings stayed home for the 2003 post season.

I remember the absolute sick feeling I had after that game, Tigers fans. I know what you’re going through.

However, take solace in this: Your club at least has itself a berth in the playoffs.

NFL Week 4: Arresting Developments.

The NFL: The Notorious Felon League.

Just check out some of the headlines from this past week:


Bengals' Thurman suspended for season following arrest

DEA: Chargers' Kiel shipped Rx drugs

Broncos S Brandon turns self in after warrant issued


I guess that puts things in perspective when I stated my ability to pick NFL games should be a crime. Still below .500 but looking to get above this week.

As always, the following picks against the point spread are not to be taken seriously (like you already didn’t know that).


Colts (-9) at Jets: When Colts QB Peyton Manning scored a touchdown on a bootleg last week, he looked as though he was running through a wind tunnel.
Pick: Jets

Chargers (-2 ½) at Ravens: When facing the aggressive Ravens defense, look for Chargers QB Philip Rivers to play “hot potato” with the football.
Pick: Chargers

Vikings (+1) at Bills: The combined charisma of coaches Brad Childress and Dick Jauron barely equal that of Bill Belichick.
Pick: Vikings

Cowboys (-9 ½) at Titans: Kim Etheredge, publicist of Cowboys WR Terrell Owens, proved she’s a gal who can do it all. She held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon and then gave the team haircuts later that evening.
Pick: Titans

49ers (+7) at Chiefs: George Saunders’ last words: “Good-bye. I am leaving because I am bored.”
He must have been a 49ers fan.
Pick: 49ers

Saints (+7 ½) at Panthers: Last week, the Panthers defense caused Bucs QB Chris Simms to rupture his spleen. This week? They’re going for Saints QB Drew Brees’ gall bladder.
Pick: Saints

Cardinals (+7) at Falcons: Falcons QB Michael Vick having to rely on his passing arm is like Cards QB Kurt Warner having to rely on his speed.
Pick: Falcons

Dolphins (-4) at Texans: Houston DE Mario Williams, #1 overall draft pick in 2006, is tied with me for number of sacks this season.
Pick: Texans

Lions (+5 ½) at Rams: When Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz was with the Rams, he had an offense which was dubbed “The Greatest Show on turf.” As Lions assistant, he has the football equivalent to the circus side show, featuring the 500-pound bearded lady.
Pick: Rams

Patriots (+6) at Bengals: Question: Why was Bengals LB Odell Thurman driving a car with a .18 blood alcohol level and teammates Chris Henry and Reggie McNeal as passengers?
Answer: Thurman was the most sober of the three.
Pick: Bengals

Jaguars (-2 ½) at Redskins: How confident was Redskins QB Mark Brunell last week after completing a record 22 consecutive passes? He eschewed the playbook and started to draw plays in the dirt.
Pick: Jaguars

Browns (-2 ½) at Raiders: Considering the grim prospects for this season, Raiders fans will have an easy transition out of their normal silver-and-black attire. Just ditch the silver.
Pick: Browns

Seahawks (+3 ½) at Bears: Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander has a “non-displaced” fracture in his left foot. Huh? So would he be able to play with a “Displaced” fracture?
Pick: Seahawks

Packers (+11) at Eagles: Packers QB Brett Favre in another prime time football game. I can never tell if ESPN guy Joe Theismann is simply awed by Favre’s talent or wants to marry him.
Pick: Eagles


Last Week: 5-8-1

Overall 20-25-1

Jesse's gems.

Former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura is back in the news. The former governor, who has been living in Mexico, has been campaigning on behalf of fellow renegade crackpot Independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman. Friedman is running for governor of the state of Texas.

Of course, the former governor of Minnesota….


Enough already! That’s the third time you’ve used the phrase “former governor.” Aren’t you getting a little redundant?


Yeah, probably. But you have to admit that “former governor” Ventura has a nice ring to it.

Anyhow, Ventura couldn’t help but monopolize the spotlight with a few thoughts of his own.


Regarding the proposed Mexican border fence being debated in Congress:
"It may be designed to keep people out, but what if it keeps you in 10 years from now? I, for one, don't want to live in East Berlin."


Yes, but we would be OK with you actually living in East Berlin!


On California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred in "Predator," one of Ventura's movies: "Ah, let him win a real election, like I did."


Oh, you mean that election in 1998 where 62% of the voters DID NOT want you as governor.


What he and Friedman represent: "We're the real moderates in politics. As the late, great Jerry Garcia once said: If you have to pick between the lesser of two evils, you still have to pick evil."


Having been in a 3-way contest in 1998, it was considered a “rat race.” Therefore, the winner of such a race was still a rat.


About petropolitics and the Bush administration: "So gas prices are going down and the election is coming? There's a connection? God, are they naïve. It's being taken away as an election issue. ... Everyone knows the Saudis are in bed with the Bushes. And they control the oil prices. Look at 9/11; [most] of the 19 hijackers are Saudis and we invade Iraq?"


Sounds similar to you “being in bed” with the Mass Transit people. You spend the state’s surplus and then the Light Rail project goes over budget and is delayed?


On Vice President Dick Cheney's shooting of a hunting partner: "Had he served in the military, he'd have known how to handle that weapon. The man was negligent."


Why, I’d think you would have been singing the VP’s praises. After all, you were the one who said “Until you hunted man, you haven't hunted yet."


On what he sees as the stranglehold the Democratic and Republican parties exert on American politics: "It isn't democracy -- it's fascism. Who's in control of the government? Big business and organized religion."


If only that were the case. Big business aims to be profitable. Our government spends like drunken sailors. Organized religion? According to you that is a “sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers.” Yet the definition of a democracy is “Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.“ How are representatives elected? Through a majority (i.e. STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!!). Besides, if we had a fascist government you would be maggot fodder for spewing such rhetoric about said government.

Once again, Jesse proves that if he didn’t really exist there is no way we could ever invent him.

Take a T.O., Terrell.

I had the occasion this morning to listen to “The Power Trip” morning show on sports station AM 1130 KFAN. I happened to catch the PT guys, including WCCO-TV sports anchor Mark Rosen, discussing a Tuesday evening incident involving Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens. The ESPN report I heard last evening stated Owens was rushed to a Dallas hospital as a result of an allergic reaction to pain medication he was taking for a broken finger. However, during the KFAN show I was listening to, PT co-host Chris Hawkey mentioned he had heard a report on Fox News that Owens had attempted suicide.

It was at that point when Rosen scoffed at the notion of a suicide attempt, claiming it was just another Fox News creation. Rosie then sarcastically inquired, “What, did they blame Bill Clinton?”

Whether it’s the local or national liberal spin machine mainstream media, members of said fraternities never pass up an opportunity to bash The Fox News channel.

But, I digress.

As it turns out, Fox may have had a scoop.


The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.

ESPN's Michael Irvin said that Owens denied he attempted suicide and said he was rushed to the hospital as a result of an adverse reaction to medication.


Just another strange, bizarre saga in the life and NFL career of the guy called “T.O.”

UPDATE: Owens denies suicide attempt.

Twins culminate phenomenal turnaround with playoff berth.

Who woulda thunk it?

On June 7, the Minnesota Twins had lost to the Seattle Mariners 10-9. That was their seventh loss in nine games on what had been an absolutely listless West Coast road trip. What’s worse is their slugger of the future, first baseman Justin Morneau, had a paltry .236 average with only 11 home runs and 38 RBI.

The left side of the infield featured the virtually immobile Tony Batista at third base and Juan Castro at shortstop. Their all-star closer, Joe Nathan, had only seven save opportunities in two months.

A 7-3 victory over the Mariners the next day was a somewhat positive note on what was otherwise a pathetic 3-7 road trip. Who would have guessed that victory would have been one of 68 wins over the next ninety eight contests??!!

From a record of 25 wins and 33 losses to 93-63 and a spot in the AL playoffs!

It’s just one amazing stat for a team that has continually defied the odds the past 3 ½ months.

For me, the most telling aspect of the Twins’ resiliency took place after an August 7 loss to the Tigers in Detroit. Young ace Francisco Liriano left that game after four innings when he re-aggravated his elbow on his pitching arm. The Twins looked to be without their young stud indefinitely and found themselves 10 ½ games behind the Tigers.

Fast forward seven weeks. Liriano pitched exactly two innings in that span. Add to that the loss of reliable veteran starter Brad Radke in late August --- and inexplicably the Twins are only one game out of the AL Central division lead.

How did this happen?

Let us count the ways.

-On that fateful road swing in early June, manager Ron Gardenhire challenged Morneau to get focused on baseball instead of wasting his talent. The result? Morneau now has 34 home runs (the first Twin to hit 30+ since 1987), 129 RBI to go with a .324 batting average. He has gone from overrated prospect to complete hitter in less than 100 games.

-Catcher Joe Mauer has seemed to blossom into the pure hitter the Twins drafted #1 overall in 2001. He hasn’t been below .340 since late May and is in good position to be the first catcher in over 60 years to win a batting title.

-Nick Punto and Jason Bartlett. The Twins wisely jettisoned Batista and Castro, and their limited range, for the younger, rangier tandem of Punto and Bartlett. Punto was expected to platoon at third with Terry Tiffee. His spectacular play at the hot corner, combined with hitting nearly .300 in the second spot in the batting order, made it impossible for Gardenhire to keep him out of the lineup.

-Michael Cuddyer. The plan coming in to the ’06 season was to platoon Cuddyer in right field with Jason Kubel. “Cuddy” was later entrusted with the cleanup spot in the batting order where he now has over 100 RBI.

-The bullpen. The lefty-righty combination of Dennys Reyes and Pat Neshek in the seventh inning, Jesse Crain in the eighth and Nathan as closer, the Twins have one of the deepest, most effective bullpens in all of baseball. The only negative lately is Juan Rincon seemingly giving up a run every outing. It would be a major coup if he can regain his early season form when he was entrusted with the eighth inning. Throw in a guy like Matt Guerrier who effectively eats up innings when a starter has a subpar outing and the Twins are virtually unbeatable when leading after six innings.

-Torii Hunter. Continued gold glove defense in center field, despite a bum ankle he’s dealt with all year. Throw in 30 home runs in the six spot of the batting order and you have the most formidable lineup the Twins have had under Gardenhire’s tenure.

-Last but not least, Johan Santana. He only leads the AL in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched (YAWN) and has had yet another stellar second half of the season (9-1). The question isn’t whether he’ll win his second AL Cy Young award in three years, rather will he win it unanimously?

Congratulations to the Minnesota Twins on making the playoffs.

I fully admit that I never saw this coming.

NFL Week 3: No offense, the first two weeks have stunk.

How hideous has the first two weeks of NFL play been?

-Both the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams have scored more field goals than touchdowns…yet they are both 1-1.

-The biggest star on offense for the Oakland Raiders? Not WR Randy Moss. Not RB Lamont Jordan. No, not even QB Aaron Brooks. It’s kicker Sebastian Janikowski. He has been the sole provider of the Raiders’ scoring. All six points.

-We’ve had three teams score nine points (Seahawks, Broncos and Jaguars) and win.

Man, if I wanted to witness such anemic point totals I would have tuned in to the World Cup over the summer.

Heck, earlier this week baseball’s Colorado Rockies scored more points in a two-game span than have fourteen NFL teams.

Will week three provide some actual offense or will it be merely offensive?

Speaking of offensive, I am below .500 in my picks against the point spread. Yes, if these picks weren’t mythical I’d be making another trip to the plasma center.

That said, the following picks against the spread are not to be used as a basis for a cash wager.


Jets (+5 ½) at Bills: After watching the Bills offense the past two weeks, I finally realized what the J.P. stands for in QB J.P. Losman’s name. JUST PUNT.
Pick: Bills

Bengals (+2) at Steelers: Last week, Bengals WR Chad Johnson made one of the most acrobatic plays I’ve ever seen. After being flattened by a Cleveland Browns defender he somehow kept the gold teeth in his mouth.
Pick: Steelers

Jaguars (+7) at Colts: With kicker Adam Vinatieri nursing a groin injury the Colts signed veteran free agent Martin Gramatica as “insurance.” How appropriate since Gramatica closely resembles the Geico gecko.
Pick: Colts

Titans (+11) at Dolphins: The most exciting aspect of QB Daunte Culpepper’s trade from Minnesota to Miami? The Dolphins have “Flamin' Hot Cheetos” in their clubhouse vending machine.
Pick: Titans

Redskins (-4) at Texans: Texans head coach Gary Kubiak keeps all of the teams’ offensive plays on a blackberry. So when he attempted to access running plays he received the error message “File not Found.”
Pick: Redskins

Bears (-3 ½) at Vikings: This week’s tongue twister: Mushin Muhammad makes mincemeat of Minnesota.
Pick: Bears

Panthers (-3) at Buccaneers: Given all of the passes he had batted down last week, Bucs QB Chris Simms looked like he was playing one-on-one hoops against Shaq.
Pick: Panthers

Packers (+6 ½) at Lions: This week, Lions WR Roy Williams comes up with his boldest guarantee to date: Detroit will actually score in double figures!
Packers injury report: QB Brett Favre (pain of regret) is probable.
Pick: Packers

Ravens (-6 ½) at Browns: After last weeks’ loss, Browns TE Kellen Winslow criticized the offensive coaches, implying the game plan was too conservative. That’s the equivalent of criticizing a Dodge Omni owner for not entering the Indy 500.
Pick: Ravens

Rams (+4 ½) at Cardinals: With the Cardinals having sold out all their regular season home games, owner Bill Bidwill can now invest in even more unsightly bow ties.
Pick: Cardinals

Giants (+3 ½) at Seahawks: After missing three game winning field goal attempts in last seasons’ match-up in Seattle, Giants kicker Jay Feely has been awarded Starbucks discounts for life.
Pick: Seahawks

Eagles (-6) at 49ers: Alexander Pope once said “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.”
He must have been a 49ers fan.
Pick: Eagles

Broncos (+7) at Patriots: Why is Broncos QB Jake Plummer paranoid about losing his starting job? He was handed an Office Max catalog and told to pick out a clipboard he liked.
Pick: Patriots

Falcons (-4) at Saints: I love to watch Falcons RB Warrick Dunn run the football. He looks like a Lilliputian running through a field of giants.
Pick: Falcons



Last Week: 7-9-0

Overall: 15-17-0

Mixed messages.

What we got here is... failure to communicate.
Quote from the movie Cool Hand Luke.



Upon breaking the ring finger on his right hand Sunday night, Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens figured he’d miss a few games as a result. In fact, during a post game interview after the Cowboys 27-10 win over the Washington Redskins, Owens seemed certain he’d be out “2-4 weeks.”

However, Cowboys coach Bill Parcells had a rather different outlook. Parcells said he's optimistic that Owens will be back at work next week and catching passes a week from Sunday against Tennessee.


Meanwhile, in Major League baseball this past week:


Detroit Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco said Monday he hopes to play this weekend at Kansas City, contradicting his assessment a day earlier when he stated he was finished for the season because of a separated left shoulder.

"I was very confused yesterday," Polanco said. "I said it because I was really frustrated about a lot of things. We had just lost the game that we should have won, I'm not able to do anything and my arm is extremely hurting."

A contrite Polanco said a cortisone shot he got Saturday, the first of his career, had initially caused him pain that was similar to the discomfort he felt in the days following the injury. That's one factor he blamed in his premature season-ending declaration. He was also upset by the Tigers' 10-inning loss to the Baltimore Orioles.


To quote character Crash Davis in the 1988 baseball tale Bull Durham:

“Don’t think. It could only hurt the ball club.”

It would seem apropos to apply that philosophy to all professional athletes.

The Curse of Buckner: Year 2.

Hello again, Red Sox fans.

Well, year two of “The curse of Buckner” is officially in the books. Yes, this is the new self-loathing curse that is upon you now that you’ve successfully exorcised “The curse of the Bambino.”

Don’t tell me you forgot.

Allow me to remind you of how the “Buckner” hex originated.

Two seasons ago, after winning your first World Series in 86 years, many of you Red Sox faithful made the haughty statement of “Bill Buckner, we forgive you!”

Yes, you just couldn’t leave well enough alone. It wasn’t enough that you burned Buckner in effigy or celebrated his exile to Idaho. You had to offer a sanctimonious apology to a man who enraged you so much when he mentioned he didn’t contemplate suicide after his Game 6 blunder in the ’86 Fall Classic. How dare that Buckner be a voice of reason.

Just think of the atrocities your club suffered while suppressed by “Bambino.”


-In 1946, the Red Sox appeared in their first World Series since the sale of Babe Ruth. They were favored to beat the St. Louis Cardinals. The series went to a seventh game at Sportsman Park in St. Louis. In the bottom of the eighth inning, with the score tied at 3-3, the Cardinals had Enos Slaughter on first base and Harry Walker at the plate. On a hit and run, Walker hit a double to very short left center. Slaughter ran through the third base coach's stop sign and beat Boston shortstop Johnny Pesky's relay throw to home plate. In the top of the ninth, the Red Sox put the tying run on third and the go-ahead on first with one out, but Harry Breechen shut down the next two hitters to preserve the victory.

-In 1949, the Red Sox needed to win just one of the last two games of the season to win the pennant, but lost both games to the Yankees. The Red Sox were managed by Joe McCarthy, who had previously steered the Yankees to 7 World Series titles.

-In 1978, the Red Sox had a 14-game lead over the Yankees on July 18, but by season's end, the teams were tied. A one-game playoff took place at Fenway Park on October 2. In the 7th inning, Boston led 2-0, but Bucky Dent, a .240 hitter with only 4 home runs all season, hit a pop-fly home run over the Green Monster with two runners on base to secure the Yankee win.

-The most dramatic defeat for the Red Sox came in Game 6 of the 1986, when Boston was, literally, one strike from winning the Series. The New York Mets tied the game, then won it in the 10th on a fielding error by Bill Buckner. The Red Sox lost the 7th game, again blowing a 3-run lead.

-In 2003, the Red Sox were tied with the Yankees at three games apiece in the American League Championship Series, Boston had a 5-2 lead going into the 8th inning. Then-manager Grady Little opted to stay with a tiring Pedro Martinez rather than call to the bullpen. Two Yankee doubles and a single later, the game was tied. The series was decided in the 11th by a first-pitch, lead-off home run by light-hitting Aaron Boone. Little was out of a job less than two weeks later, though in 2006 he returned to the major-league managerial ranks as the skipper of the Los Angeles Dodgers.


Now, let’s take a gander at what you’ve endured since the inception of “Buckner.”

-“Manny being Manny.”

-Second baseman Tony Graffanino performing a flawless imitation of Billy Buck in Game 2 of the 2005 ALDS.

-The bungling of GM Theo Epstein’s position with the Sox.

-The 5-game sweep you suffered at home to your hated rival the Yankees last month.

-Two years removed from a World Series title, Sox fail to reach postseason.


So go ahead. Re-live the memories by watching the 2004 Boston Red Sox DVD.

You'll always have that while you endure another genration or two of baseball heartache.

This Rosie has many thorns.

I first saw Rosie O’Donnell in the late 1980s when she was a “V-J” for the music television station VH1. To be honest, I found her quite amusing.

O’Donnell would later parlay that stint on TV into a career in stand-up comedy. Her act usually contained self-deprecating stories of her attempts to do aerobics in-synch with a much tinier instructor.

Eventually she would find success in film. But it was daytime television where she was able to find a platform to espouse her staunch liberalism. There was even one shameful display where she berated actor Tom Selleck and his membership with the National Rifle Association.

However, in a March 2002 interview with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, I actually obtained a measure of respect for Rosie.

She talked about how she challenged the sanctimonious Hollywood types to put up a $1 million cover when asked to participate in a telethon for the victims of 9/11 and their families. O’Donnell felt that if these well-to-do entertainment folks are going to ask the common folk for money, they themselves should pave the way as O’Donnell would. Predictably, the Hollywood elites did not pony up and O’Donnell stuck to her convictions by declining to appear.

Despite her openly gay lifestyle, O’Donnell eschewed the “in your face” gayness displayed by the likes of Ellen DeGeneres. In the same O’Reilly interview, Rosie spoke of the stance she took when DeGeneres asked her to march in honor of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was brutally murdered in October 1998.


Matthew Shepard was killed, it was horrifying to everyone. Ellen called me, crying, and said, would I march on Washington? And I said no. And she said, "Why?" And I said, "Because you didn't march for James Byrd."

Byrd was the man who, in June 1998 in Texas, was tied to a pickup truck by three men and subsequently dragged three miles.

Again, I admired Rosie’s stance by saying hate crimes are not merely restricted to homosexuals.

However, what little respect I had for Rosie O’Donnell vanished with her appalling commentary this past week.


Rosie O'Donnell says "radical" Christians in America are just as much of a threat as the followers of radical Islam who piloted hijacked jetliners into New York's Twin Towers and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

O'Donnell, the newest face on ABC's "The View," yesterday let her feelings fly after co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck noted militant Islam provides a threat to free people.

"Just a minute," she interrupted. "Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have separation of church and state."

I would have been very interested on what basis O’Donnell makes this claim. I know the liberals were having the dry heaves after the 2004 Presidential election when an additional 2-3 million evangelical Christians turned out to vote. That proved to be the margin of victory for President George W. Bush. Is she perpetuating the liberal mantra of “Bush is the biggest terrorist”? Therefore, Christians who voted for Bush are radicals because they put a terrorist in office and thus are just as threatening as kooks who slam planes into buildings, killing 3,000 people.

An inconvenient truth for liberals is that the religion of radical Islam is predicated on death. In the minds of their believers there is an obligation to bring death to anyone who dare criticizes such an ideology. Hence, the brutal slaying of Dutch film director Theo van Gogh.

On the other had, Christianity is based on making sacrifices. The entire Christian faith is surrounded by the fact the God gave his only son, Jesus Christ, to die so that we may not perish but have eternal life. That notion alone seems radical to many people.

Oh, and another thing. If radical Christianity is just as dangerous as radical Islam, why is it the entertainment industry regularly skewers Christianity but not Islam?

I digress.

O’Donnell’s absurdity continued.


She had been saying America was attacked "not by a nation."

Yet, she said, "And as a result of the attack and the killing of nearly 3,000 innocent people we invaded two countries and killed innocent people."

So you’re telling me that the Al-Qaida supporting Taliban government in Afghanistan was innocent? And the beheading loons found in Iraq, like al-Zarqawi, are harmless?

Welcome back to daytime TV, Rosie. We were starting to have a shortage of self-loathing until you came back around.

NFL Week 2: For openers, not bad.

One of the interesting aspects of NFL opening day is how new coaches fare in their regular season debut.

Of the ten teams who have a different head coach from last season, seven clubs were headed up by rookies, two by “recycled coaches” and one by an escapee-from-coaching purgatory-only-to-return-twelve-years-after-being-fired coach.

Yes, one has to wonder what Art Shell was thinking in his decision to resume the helm as Raiders head guy. As if six years as coach of the Raiders franchise under the direction of the decrepit Al Davis didn’t finish off Shell, the re-emergence has the potential to be lethal.

When the Raiders visited Minnesota to take on the Vikings in a preseason game on August 14, Shell looked as strong and healthy as ever despite his 59-years. Just four weeks later after a pathetic showing in a 27-0 season opening at home loss to the San Diego Chargers? Shell looked as though he’s aged ten years!!

I guess it’s true what they say. A week coaching a team with Randy Moss will age you 2 ½ years.


Former Viking update: Jacksonville Jaguars CB Brian Williams has pleaded no contest to drunken-driving charges, opening himself up to possible sanctions from the NFL.


More evidence that you can take the player away from the Vikings…

…but you can’t take the Viking out of the player.


As always, these picks against the point spread are satirical in nature and should not be used as a basis to place bets.


Raiders (+11 ½) at Ravens: Last week, Raiders WR Jerry Porter was seen cheering on the sidelines when his team was losing. This week he’ll join Ravens LB Ray Lewis in his ritualistic pre-game dance.
Pick: Ravens

Texans (+13) at Colts: With all of the TV commercials done by Colts QB Peyton Manning he has now requested to wear product decals on his uniform.
Pick: Colts

Browns (+10) at Bengals: After the opening kickoff, the game will be stopped and Browns TE Kellen Winslow, Jr. will be presented with the game ball. It will be the second consecutive game he’s played in, tying his career best! Congrats, K2!!
Pick: Browns

Bills (+6 ½) at Dolphins: With ten days off between games, Dolphins QB Daunte Culpepper wanted to prove his knee was sound by appearing on the reality show “Dancing with the Stars .” He later declined when learning his partner would be Rosie O’Donnell.
Pick: Bills

Lions (+9) at Bears: After his team lost to Seattle last week 9-6, Lions WR Roy Williams felt his club was very close to scoring 40 points. I just hope that kind of logic works for me if I ever receive a tax audit.
Pick: Lions

Panthers (-1) at Vikings: In last year’s match-up, Panthers WR Steve Smith abused Vikes CB Fred Smoot for 201 yards receiving. This Sunday, Smith is questionable with a bad hamstring. It’s no coincidence that Smoot has been seen carrying around rosary beads this week.
Pick: Vikings

Giants (+3) at Eagles: Two seasons ago, Eagles stout coach Andy Reid promised to where stretch pants if his then WR Terrell Owens caught 15 touchdowns. So this year if QB Donovan McNabb throws for 30 TDs? Corn Rows, my man!
Pick: Eagles

Buccaneers (+5 ½) at Falcons: After his Week 1 performance of 140 yards passing, Falcons QB Michael Vick needs to average only 330 yards per game to break Dan Marino’s single season yardage record.
Pick: Falcons

Saints (-2 ½) at Packers: After Saints rookie phenom Reggie Bush has a great game Sunday, I would request that Monday’s Times-Picayune go with the following headline: BUSH GREAT FOR NEW ORLEANS.
Pick: Saints

Rams (-3) at 49ers: Jose Marti once said “Man has to suffer. When he has no real afflictions, he invents some.”
He must have been a 49ers fan.
Pick: Rams

Cardinals (+7) at Seahawks: Since Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen owns the Seahawks, QB Matt Hasselbeck has eschewed the use of a wrist band with the offensive plays listed. He now uses a palm pilot.
Pick: Cardinals

Jets (+6) at Patriots: Pats LB Tedy Bruschi is listed as questionable with a broken wrist. Questionable? Wow, I feel like a complete wuss when I think of how many times I’ve stayed home with the flu.
Pick: Jets

Titans (+11) at Chargers: Titans QB Kerry Collins has completed the NFL quarterback cycle. From young phenom to playboy alcoholic to outcast to comeback player to solid veteran to wash-up with a non-descript team.
Pick: Titans

Chiefs (+10 ½) at Broncos: Watching the footage of Chiefs QB Trent Green on the receiving end of a vicious hit last week, It reminds me of all the times Wile E. Coyote was crushed by an anvil.
Pick: Chiefs

Redskins (+6) at Cowboys: I won’t say Cowboys QB Drew Bledsoe is totally immobile but he does appear to move around like he’s wearing concrete shoes.
Pick: Redskins

Steelers (+1) at Jaguars: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is listed as questionable after having an appendectomy. I wonder if an NFL player has ever been listed on the injury report due to a tonsillectomy.
Pick: Steelers



Last Week: 8-8-0

In the land of cheese there's plenty of whine.

After being humiliated in their home opener by the Chicago Bears 26-0, the Green Bay Packers are not looking for a quick fix.

Rather, it seems they are issuing a cry for help.


Koren Robinson wasted his second chance with the Minnesota Vikings. The Green Bay Packers are giving him a third, however.

The Packers on Monday agreed to terms with the wide receiver, who was released by the Vikings during training camp after he was arrested following a high-speed chase and charged with drunken driving.


It’s painfully obvious that Robinson is battling the demons of alcoholism. But going to Wisconsin in hopes of resurrecting his NFL career? Isn’t that the equivalent of an obese person relocating to Hershey, PA to find work?

It’s funny how I was ribbed by my Wisconsin relatives when the Vikings acquired, via free agency, former Packers safety Darren Sharper in 2005 and kicker Ryan Longwell this year.

According to my rellies, the Vikings just take players off the Green Bay scrap heap when they sign former Packers. However, the Pack has no problem taking on a former Viking who is a two-time offender of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

The irony is as thick as the foam cheeseheads donned by Packer backers.

Remembering 9/11/01.

While there have been many touching tributes on this fifth anniversary of the World Trade Center bombings, I feel compelled to share a remarkable story of survival.


Sujo John was launched into proclamation evangelism ministry right after the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Media from all over the world took interest to this powerful story of his and his pregnant wife's miraculous deliverance that day of September 11,2001. That resulted in speaking interests pouring in from all over North America. It was in those early days following the September 11, 2001 attacks that God started putting a burden on the heart of Sujo for the lost people of the world. A passion to see the kingdom of God was ignited that this has taken this ministry to over 350 cities in North America, Asia and Europe and has resulted in the salvations of thousands.


Read his remarkable story here.

A look back at the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers soiree.

I think it is safe to say that a good time was had by all at the summer MOB party Saturday evening.

The festivities took place at Keegan's Irish Pub in NE Minneapolis. As usual, it was a wonderful opportunity to fellowship with many of my favorite bloggers.



Here I am pictured with Captain Ed Morrissey of Captains Quarters blog. How often do you get to chat with a guy who has played golf with William F. Buckley and also was instrumental in bringing down the Canadian Liberal Party?



Mitch Berg of Shot in the Dark. Mitch's blog is one of my personal favorites because of his great political insights combined with a rapier wit. His site is a daily read for me.
You want to read one of the funniest blogs out there? Check out the humorous writings of Katie (right, with my wife) on her site Yucky Salad with Bones. Her insights on family, pop culture and politics have provided me with the most laugh-out-loud moments of any blog I've read.


Rex Newman (a/k/a Speed Gibson). Speed will always have a special place in my heart for his kind review of the radio show I did in June 2005 with my good friend Greg Bittner.

I also had the opportunity to chat (albeit briefly) with the likes of King Banaian, Learned Foot, Derek Brigham, Gary Miller, Marty Andrade and David Strom.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Winter MOB gathering!

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