Blogrophenia: The Reverend Aton's Site

The Duke Lacrosse Scandal

It irritated me a bit that a lot of stories characterized Duke as "affluent" and mention that the annual tuition was $43,000. I thought this was unfair, Duke costs pretty much as most other private institutions, not really much more or less. They are trying to play up the racial/socio-economic factor and that's not journalism it's sensationalism. And it's wrong.

I am sad to see my school's name besmirched like this, especially considering the facts haven't even come out yet.

Shame on the reporters. Yellow journalism.

unsealed on a porch a letter sat,
then you said,
i wanna leave it again,
Moses

A horrible story out of Duke University.

The National Anthem

Here's a cool picture I took, former Yankee Nick Johnson hitting, former Yankee Soriano on deck, Molina of the Brothers Molina catching and HoFer Frank Robinson looking on in the front. . .

Everyone is so near,
Moses

My Team by Team MLB Preview

I don't mean these things as the things that are most important to the team, although certainly in some cases they are, but more I just mean as things that interest me/I think might be interesting and worth keeping an eye on. These are all off the top of my head and certainly I am missing some really interesting question but these come to mind:

NL East

Mets: Pedro, Pedro, Pedro. By far the most interesting thing and probably the most important. Also, how will the new big three do? Wagner, Delgado, Loduca and what about the kids? Bannister and Milledge interest me a lot.

Marlins: How will Joe Girardi be as a manager? Also, Hanley Hermida and the all the yound arms. Also, will Dontrelle and Cabrera stay interested?

Phillies: Rollins's streak and Ryan Howard.

Nats: Sori and Nick Johnson, how will they do? (I am rooting against this team though b/c Frank Robinson is a dick see below)

Braves: Can Cox keep winning? How will the kids do? Francouer Saltamachhistournea? Will letting Mazzone go prove to be a mistake? How much will they miss Furcal?

NL Central

Cardinals: Can Pujols get any better? Should they have done more to improve? Most interesting to me: Can Rick Ankiel make it as an OFer?

Cubs: Can their big starters actually get healthy and live up to their potential? Was last year a fluke for D Lee? Can Juan Pierre thrive in Chicago and bring them a championship like he did in Florida? Can the Cubs make it three in a row on the curses?

Astros: Is Bagwell done? Will Clemens come back? Can they get back to the World Series?

Brewers: I don't know much about this team but I know Sheets can win a Cy Young and I know that Prince Fielder, Ricky Weeks and Capuoano are worth watching.

Pittsburgh: Again don't know much but I'll follow Duke and Perez

NL West:

Dodgers: I really wish that the Yankees got Nomar, but it'll be interesting to watch him in LA try to play first base. How the mighty have fallen. Hard to believe just a few years ago that he looked like a lifelong Red Sox and probably HoFer. Speaking of Boston, Grady Little and D Lowe and Mueller should be interesting too. Will Furcal thrive? Can Montreal native Gagne come back?

Giants: One big story here. Bonds.

Rockies: There are a few interesting young guys here: Atkins, Barmes, Cory Sullivan, they're not winning anything for a while though.

Padres: I am interested in how Piazza will do and continuing to follow Barfield's kid at second and the development of Khalil Greene. As I read someone say: These two could be the next the Whitaker and Trammel if things go as some expect.

AL East:

Yankees: How will the pitching be? If the starters can stay healthy and Pavano, Wang, et al can all contribute (I think the bullpen will be ok) then this team should win the division. The offense will be sick. I am excited about Damon. Should be a fun year.

Boston: Personally, I am most interested in seeing how Beckett does. I am fairly bearish about him. He talks a tough game and acts like an accomplished pitcher despite the fact that he's just got over .500 for his career last year and is still only 7 games over. I've watched this guy very closely for a long time (was at his debut) and I am not optimistic. This may be part wishful thinking, but. . . I guess we'll see. . .

Baltimore: I've been watching this kid Markakis the last few days in Florida and I am pretty impressed by him. Will Brian Roberts be back to last year's level after his gruesome injury? The starting pitching will be good but the bullpen may be an issue (according to third base coac Tom Trebelhorn)

Tampa Bay: How will the kids do? Do they finally have a plan? Is Kazmir ok? Will Baldelli be back and healthy?

Toronto: This team spent a lot and made some interesting moves. Were they the right ones though? Will they be able to compete with NY and Boston and finally make this more than a two team division for the first time in a long time?

AL Central:

White Sox: This team made a lot of moves and a lot of significant ones. A bit unusual for a team coming off a WS win. Can they repeat?

Indians: Wow. This is an intriguing team with some great young players. Maybe the most interesting team in MLB right now.

Tigers: Moderately interesting team. Definitely some good young players. Trammel out and Leyland in. Can Magglio come back? Some think Granderson will be interesting (he got hurt the other day) and the starting rotation led by the angry Gambler could be interesting. No chance this year, but might be a team worth watching for the future.

Twins: Justin Morneau's develpment will be interesting and they added some good role players. Former Yankees Rondel White and Sierra will do well. Luis Castillo may have some leg issues playing on the turf though. We'll miss him in So Fla.

Royals: Not really much to watch here. I suppose there's no where to go but up. What's going on with Grienke? Sweeney is interesting to watch. What's up with Berroa? Why did they sign Reggie Sanders? How will Minky do in exile? Is he rethinking his stance on the Mets?

AL West:

Oakland: Great rotation and if Frank Thomas can return to his HoF trajectory: Watch out for this team!

Angels: They shoudl be a good competitive team that should compete for a wild card. I think they will miss Molina, but I like their balance. For sentimental reasons I hope Salmon makes this team and I really, really hope that they Yankees don't end up in Anaheim in October (think DJ likes it there after 2002, 2005 and the WBC?)

Texas: They have the hitting, do they have the pitching? Millwood will help but will it be enough? I say nay.

Seattle: I'm very interested to see how Jojima does, been hearing about him forever. Will he more Hideki or Kaz Matsui? Can Japanese player catch despite some communications issues? Good choice, probably, by him to sit out the WBC. Hope Ichiro buys that WBC DVD because that's the only winning he'll see this year. He's a blast to watch hit though!

Should be a fun year!!

WORLD WIDE SUICIDE

All Tourney Team

The WBC was a wild success in my opinion here's the all tourney team led by Ichiro, hope he enjoys this success he won't be winning anything with the Mariners for a while. . .

The whole world,
Moses

The Penn is Mightier. . .

Although Sean Penn's little voodoo doll of Ann Coulter is a little warped, she really is a reprehensible human being. She's an openly racist demagogue who stands for pretty much what is wrong about this otherwise great country. Penn may be wrong about one thing though, she probably does believe a lot of what she says. . .

Idiot wind,
blowing every time you move your teeth,
You're an idiot, babe,
It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe,
Moses

Audioslave's Chris Cornell has some interesting things to say about their new album.

Give and Ye Shall Receive

Pearl Jam one of the most ethical and best rock and roll bands around finds much success through their lack of greed in giving their music away. . . Their brilliant new song not only has brilliant lyrics but kicks ass too!

i took what's left;
i gave it breath;
i had it all once;
i gave it back,
Moses

Vote for Pedro!

Pedro Martinez looked great on Sunday in three innings, giving up one hit and one walk. At left he warms up before the game. . .

It's all Greek to Me. . .

This kid Nick Markakis looks great this spring and interestingly his fellow Greek, owner Peter Angelos may have a special interest in him. . . Hopefully, he'll make the team out of Spring Training. . .

Former Yankee and current Marlins manager Joe Girardi signs an autograph for us in Fort Lauderdale. He's a class act and although he has his work cut out for him we wish him the best!

True Champ!
Former Yankee Nick Johnson signs an autograph for me, a courtesy I watched Frank Robinson refuse to extend to numerous fans, including myself. More below on my unfortunate encounter with Robinson.

When Your Hero Disappoints

I am a huge baseball and I have always looked up to Frank Robinson. As an African American he experienced all sorts of discrimination but not only persevered, but thrived both in his Hall of Fame career and as a manager with several teams. And so it was with great delight that I settled in yesterday to just two seats behind him to watch him manage his Washington Nationals. At first, I gave him every benefit of the doubt as I watched him blow off several kids as other players signed autographs . But as it continued I watched him blow off more and more little kids asking him for his autograph, including a little kid who waved a Frank Robinson baseball card at him. I even asked him for one myself, saying "Hey can I get an autograph for a sick fan of your from Baltimore, it would mean a lot", He responded, "I'm sure it would and NO". . . I then continued to talk to him about various things all which he responded coldly to (with the exception of the question "Do you miss Montreal?" to which he responded "Yes, very much" seemingly sincerely) eventually when I asked him if he thought if it would have been nice if the Nationals were called "the Homestead Grays" or something as a tribute to the Negro Leagues, he turned around and gave me a dirty look. A little kid asked me why he was so rude and I went off, saying loudly just so he could hear: "I asked him if he thought it would be a nice tribute and he got mad. I guess he doesn't care about history or those who came before him. . ." I continued for a while and he ignored me all the while. Would that he had just ignored me from the beginning I'd still look up to him instead of thinking that he's a jerk!

(above Robinson talks on a phone during a game, at least he stayed awake though!)

Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?
Questions and Answers about Foreign Policy (and the U.S. Invasion of Iraq)
(c) 2003 anarchie bunker
Permission is freely granted to copy, print, and distribute this material by any means, so long as the author is given proper credit and so long as this statement is included in any and all copies made for distribution.
Q:
Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?
A:
Because they had weapons of mass destruction.
Q:
But the inspectors didn't find any weapons of mass destruction.
A:
That's because the Iraqis were hiding them.
Q:
And that's why we invaded Iraq?
A:
Yep. Invasions always work better than inspections.
Q:
But after we invaded them, we STILL didn't find any weapons of mass destruction, did we?
A:
That's because the weapons are so well hidden. Don't worry, we'll find something, probably right before the 2004 election.
Q:
Why did Iraq want all those weapons of mass destruction?
A:
To use them in a war, silly.
Q:
I'm confused. If they had all those weapons that they planned to use in a war, then why didn't they use any of those weapons when we went to war with them?
A:
Well, obviously they didn't want anyone to know they had those weapons, so they chose to die by the thousands rather than defend themselves.
Q:
That doesn't make sense. Why would they choose to die if they had all those big weapons with which they could have fought back?
A:
It's a different culture. It's not supposed to make sense.
Q:
I don't know about you, but I don't think they had any of those weapons our government said they did.
A:
Well, you know, it doesn't matter whether or not they had those weapons. We had another good reason to invade them anyway.
Q:
And what was that?
A:
Even if Iraq didn't have weapons of mass destruction, Saddam Hussein was a cruel dictator, which is another good reason to invade another country.
Q:
Why? What does a cruel dictator do that makes it OK to invade his country?
A:
Well, for one thing, he tortured his own people.
Q:
Kind of like what they do in China?
A:
Don't go comparing China to Iraq. China is a good economic competitor, where millions of people work for slave wages in sweatshops to make U.S. corporations richer.
Q:
So if a country lets its people be exploited for American corporate gain, it's a good country, even if that country tortures people?
A:
Right.
Q:
Why were people in Iraq being tortured?
A:
For political crimes, mostly, like criticizing the government. People who criticized the government in Iraq were sent to prison and tortured.
Q:
Isn't that exactly what happens in China?
A:
I told you, China is different.
Q:
What's the difference between China and Iraq?
A:
Well, for one thing, Iraq was ruled by the Ba'ath party, while China is Communist.
Q:
Didn't you once tell me Communists were bad?
A:
No, just Cuban Communists are bad.
Q:
How are the Cuban Communists bad?
A:
Well, for one thing, people who criticize the government in Cuba are sent to prison and tortured.
Q:
Like in Iraq?
A:
Exactly.
Q:
And like in China, too?
A:
I told you, China's a good economic competitor. Cuba, on the other hand, is not.
Q:
How come Cuba isn't a good economic competitor?
A:
Well, you see, back in the early 1960s, our government passed some laws that made it illegal for Americans to trade or do any business with Cuba until they stopped being Communists and started being capitalists like us.
Q:
But if we got rid of those laws, opened up trade with Cuba, and started doing business with them, wouldn't that help the Cubans become capitalists?
A:
Don't be a smart-ass.
Q:
I didn't think I was being one.
A:
Well, anyway, they also don't have freedom of religion in Cuba.
Q:
Kind of like China and the Falun Gong movement?
A:
I told you, stop saying bad things about China. Anyway, Saddam Hussein came to power through a military coup, so he's not really a legitimate leader anyway.
Q:
What's a military coup?
A:
That's when a military general takes over the government of a country by force, instead of holding free elections like we do in the United States.
Q:
Didn't the ruler of Pakistan come to power by a military coup?
A:
You mean General Pervez Musharraf? Uh, yeah, he did, but Pakistan is our friend.
Q:
Why is Pakistan our friend if their leader is illegitimate?
A:
I never said Pervez Musharraf was illegitimate.
Q:
Didn't you just say a military general who comes to power by forcibly overthrowing the legitimate government of a nation is an illegitimate leader?
A:
Only Saddam Hussein. Pervez Musharraf is our friend, because he helped us invade Afghanistan.
Q:
Why did we invade Afghanistan?
A:
Because of what they did to us on September 11th.
Q:
What did Afghanistan do to us on September 11th?
A:
Well, on September 11th, nineteen men - fifteen of them Saudi Arabians - hijacked four airplanes and flew three of them into buildings in New York and Washington, killing 3,000 innocent people.
Q:
So how did Afghanistan figure into all that?
A:
Afghanistan was where those bad men trained, under the oppressive rule of the Taliban.
Q:
Aren't the Taliban those bad radical Islamics who chopped off people's heads and hands?
A:
Yes, that's exactly who they were. Not only did they chop off people's heads and hands, but they oppressed women, too.
Q:
Didn't the Bush administration give the Taliban 43 million dollars back in May of 2001?
A:
Yes, but that money was a reward because they did such a good job fighting drugs.
Q:
Fighting drugs?
A:
Yes, the Taliban were very helpful in stopping people from growing opium poppies.
Q:
How did they do such a good job?
A:
Simple. If people were caught growing opium poppies, the Taliban would have their hands and heads cut off.
Q:
So, when the Taliban cut off people's heads and hands for growing flowers, that was OK, but not if they cut people's heads and hands off for other reasons?
A:
Yes. It's OK with us if radical Islamic fundamentalists cut off people's hands for growing flowers, but it's cruel if they cut off people's hands for stealing bread.
Q:
Don't they also cut off people's hands and heads in Saudi Arabia?
A:
That's different. Afghanistan was ruled by a tyrannical patriarchy that oppressed women and forced them to wear burqas whenever they were in public, with death by stoning as the penalty for women who did not comply.
Q:
Don't Saudi women have to wear burqas in public, too?
A:
No, Saudi women merely wear a traditional Islamic body covering.
Q:
What's the difference?
A:
The traditional Islamic covering worn by Saudi women is a modest yet fashionable garment that covers all of a woman's body except for her eyes and fingers. The burqa, on the other hand, is an evil tool of patriarchal oppression that covers all of a woman's body except for her eyes and fingers.
Q:
It sounds like the same thing with a different name.
A:
Now, don't go comparing Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are our friends.
Q:
But I thought you said 15 of the 19 hijackers on September 11th were from Saudi Arabia.
A:
Yes, but they trained in Afghanistan.
Q:
Who trained them?
A:
A very bad man named Osama bin Laden.
Q:
Was he from Afghanistan?
A:
Uh, no, he was from Saudi Arabia too. But he was a bad man, a very bad man.
Q:
I seem to recall he was our friend once.
A:
Only when we helped him and the mujahadeen repel the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan back in the 1980s.
Q:
Who are the Soviets? Was that the Evil Communist Empire Ronald Reagan talked about?
A:
There are no more Soviets. The Soviet Union broke up in 1990 or thereabouts, and now they have elections and capitalism like us. We call them Russians now.
Q:
So the Soviets - I mean, the Russians - are now our friends?
A:
Well, not really. You see, they were our friends for many years after they stopped being Soviets, but then they decided not to support our invasion of Iraq, so we're mad at them now. We're also mad at the French and the Germans because they didn't help us invade Iraq either.
Q:
So the French and Germans are evil, too?
A:
Not exactly evil, but just bad enough that we had to rename French fries and French toast to Freedom Fries and Freedom Toast.
Q:
Do we always rename foods whenever another country doesn't do what we want them to do?
A:
No, we just do that to our friends. Our enemies, we invade.
Q:
But wasn't Iraq one of our friends back in the 1980s?
A:
Well, yeah. For a while.
Q:
Was Saddam Hussein ruler of Iraq back then?
A:
Yes, but at the time he was fighting against Iran, which made him our friend, temporarily.
Q:
Why did that make him our friend?
A:
Because at that time, Iran was our enemy.
Q:
Isn't that when he gassed the Kurds?
A:
Yeah, but since he was fighting against Iran at the time, we looked the other way, to show him we were his friend.
Q:
So anyone who fights against one of our enemies automatically becomes our friend?
A:
Most of the time, yes.
Q:
And anyone who fights against one of our friends is automatically an enemy?
A:
Sometimes that's true, too. However, if American corporations can profit by selling weapons to both sides at the same time, all the better.
Q:
Why?
A:
Because war is good for the economy, which means war is good for America. Also, since God is on America's side, anyone who opposes war is a godless unAmerican Communist. Do you understand now why we attacked Iraq?
Q:
I think so. We attacked them because God wanted us to, right?
A:
Yes.
Q:
But how did we know God wanted us to attack Iraq?
A:
Well, you see, God personally speaks to George W. Bush and tells him what to do.
Q:
So basically, what you're saying is that we attacked Iraq because George W. Bush hears voices in his head?
A:
Yes! You finally understand how the world works. Now close your eyes, make yourself comfortable, and go to sleep. Good night.
Q:
Good night, Daddy.

Looks like Kansas City may get an MLB All Star Game to go with it's Superbowl!

Kansas City here I come,
Moses

Wow. If you've already seen V for Vendetta then this story might interest you, if you have yet to see it, think about this as you watch it.

Bob Dylan

I was turned on to Bob Dylan by Blue Trash at the embarrassing old age of 28. Since then I have been fairly obsessed with him. Lately I am really into his Gospel period and have been listening to Saved, Shot of Love, Slow Train Coming and Infidels. In particular, I am very into the inspiring Pressing On. Anyway, here's a neat site that reviews his albums.

And Napolean in Rags,
Moses

Today at the Taranto Blue A, we tackle Taranto's attack on Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke.

Check it out!

Check out "our" brilliant new blog "The Taranto Blue A".

Movie Review: V for Vendetta

Well first things first: B is for Bad Acting. Sorry. I couldn't resist, but I must say that Natalie Portman is bad. Real bad. Like awful. But the movie is so magical in other ways (besides the magic that makes Portman's accent appear and disappear. Ok sorry. I'll stop now.) that it more than just survives the horrendous performs, it manages to excel despite it.

But then the movie is full of paradox. The leading man who carries the movie wears a mask the whole time. The hero, isn't really a hero in any traditional sense. And although the movie is a thinly veiled attack on George W. Bush and his conservative Christian brethren it is actually a deeply Christian movie.

The film, which is based on the great Alan Moore's early 80's comic book, is a dark tale of a totalitarian state and the anti-hero who is trying to bring about change. This literate burn
(V)ictim's (he's identified only as "V") path crosses that of a young woman about to be raped. After he saves her Batman he busts into some alliterative rap. Then the movie gets really weird -- but good weird and smart weird. Eventually, V and his little gal attempt to blow up parliament. . . But I'll stop there for those of you who want to see it. . .

The movie's themes are manifold and all fairly thoughtful. As I mentioned earlier several of these themes dovetail nicely with Christianity. These themes include: forgiveness, rebirth and the never failing possibility of redemption until the last moment. Of course some of themes are contradicted as they're being made, but that's ok.

In the end V for Vendetta is a fun, action movie that aspires to more and often succeeds.

There's no need to hide,
Moses

p.s. For the comic literate out there just because it's a movie based on an Alan Moore book don't think this is anywhere as bad as The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (which is not as bad as everyone says it is but doesn't need to be to lousy)

The Soriano Situation

Ok, I've always liked Soriano. I followed his career since he signed with the Yankees and have enjoyed watching him for years. I was saddened when he was traded to Texas (although I'd make that trade any day of the week and twice on Sunday). Although, I've always heard that he was a bit of a primadonna, I was surprised by the boldness of his refusing to take the field.

What this is really about, though, btw is that Soriano in all likelihood realizes that his earning power (he's a FA after this year, though not if he sits out in protest) is dramatically increased as a second baseman where his offensive production is almost historically good (30/30 almost 40/40 for a 2Bman is monstrous although his on base is always dismal) whereas as a LF he's just a good solid offensive player. Either way, he's pretty much a defensive liability (assuming he just doesn't have a knack for playing the OF).

Certainly the Nats have acted unusually throughout this whole mess. Now they probably need to dump him. Hopefully he doesn't end up in Boston. . . Although that said, check out his road splits, a .700 OPS away from the big Ballpark in Arlington is -- ahem -- not impressive 2bman or no (hat tip: Blue Trash).

Put me in coach;
I'm ready to play,
Moses

Sometimes batty Al Gore has said that he won't be running in 2008.

Japan looking good early, they were my pick earlier. . . (admittedly though, even if I am right, it's a lucky guess)

Three Years in Iraq

It's been three years today since the War in Iraq started. It blows my mind that so many hawkish conservative types still can't acknowledge that they were so wrong about Iraq.

For the record, I am ROOTING FOR THE U.S. to succeed in Iraq, as are the vast majority of those who opposed the war. The sad fact is that time has vindicated our position of opposition to the war. Personally speaking, I wasn't even so much opposed to the war in principle as I was in the way that the U.S. went about it. Since then things could not have been handled worse and Iraq has descended into an almost unprecendented morass. . .

It's pathetic that so many can't admit that they were wrong about Iraq. . .

It's been a month and a day since I've heard myself talk,
Moses

Some Final Thoughts on the WBC before the Finals

So it's down to Cuba and Japan.

It's so hard to predict. I mean for starters IT'S ONE GAME!! I'm pretty sure that last the Royals beat the Yankees at least once and I am fairly certain that the D Rays did too, so what does that mean? That said, you might go for it a little more than you would when it's one of six or 19 against the other team or whatever, but still.

I don't know that I know or understand the Cuban team well enough to predict a result (I know Japan a little better, but still not that well either).

If you put a gun to my head I'll predict Cuba takes it, but you know, whatever. That doesn't mean much.

I will say though, that I am extremely excited for the game!

But I am definitely stumped as far as predicting a winner.

It's hard to find,
Oh well, whatever nevermind,
Moses

Cuba Wins

Cuba just beat PR to advance to the Finals. I must say that although I am rooting for the USA that I find something very refreshing about the Cuban team. Perhaps it how the whole bench almost stormed the field to argue a call, perhaps it's their throwback style that almost seems like it's remininscent of the old Negro Leagues, or maybe it's their all red uniforms something between an old barnstorming uniform or a college or even high school team. Or maybe it's something even subtler, maybe it's the way their catcher actually chases after balls that have bounced away instead of putting his hand up to the umpire without even turning around.

Well, Korea and Japan beckons, if Japan loses (or wins by scoring more than 7 runs) the USA is into the next round pending a win tomorrow. . .

We are the World,
Moses

Shame on Her

This revelation about Ariana using Clooney's quotes to make it look like he wrote a blog really impacts her credibility. She should have known better as a fairly new denizen of cyberspace. . .

I'm a liar and a cheat,
Moses

A soothsayer bids you beware of the Ides of March.-- William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

I have not been blogging because I am so engrossed in the WBC.

Be back soon.

"The multitude of books is making us ignorant." - Voltaire

Geez! What would he think about the internet era?

It's Out There. . .

Remember that old X-Files bit "The Truth is Out There"? Well, here's the new one and it's about Iraq, Bush and WMD's and let's call it "The Truth WAS Out There", from 2002. . .

Gimme some truth,
Moses

WORLD WIDE SUICIDE WATCH

In an unprecedented move for a band of their stature PJ has released their newest single via the internet and FOR FREE. World Wide Suicide can be downloaded for free here. It's pretty kicking. . .

I'm still alive,
Moses

No peace or love for 'hippie chimps'

This is actually a really sad story, but there are some very funny aspects to it. . .

I mean drunk apes? Come on. . .

No hippie chick,
Moses

The Case for Seeing Movies Alone

I wrote this to a very good friend earlier who said he doesn't go to the movies that often b/c his wife isn't a movie person:

I couldn't live without movies though, if no one will go with me, I'll go alone. There's actually an argument that except for post movie conversation the only thing someone can do when you take them to the movies is negative, in the sense that they can only distract you and can't really enhance the experience at all. . .

I do think that there's a very compelling that going to the movies alone is preferable. . .

I'm dancing with myself,
Moses

Supreme Court Upholds Military Recruiting On Campus

As abhorrent as the military's policy is, I think this is a very reasonable ruling. Do anyone else get the feeling the feeling btw that we may be seeing some cracks in academia's ivory tower walls of late incidentally?

The walls came tumbling down,
Moses

A Final Note on the Oscars

I thought that it was ok, but ultimately forgettable. I thought John Stewart pretty much stunk. I felt really bad for Lauren Bacall, who just >wasn't up to it. I lovedClooney's speech ("I am proud to be out of touch") and I thought that Hoffman and Witherspoon gave sincere, if forgettable speeches. I haven't seen Crash but I think the Academy chickened out by not giving Brokeback and Oscar (this is subject to being amended if when I see Crash it really blows me away, but having seen all the other movies I thought that Brokeback was far and away the best, maybe Crash is that great, I doubt it though). The Hanks bit was funny. Jack is still cool, but he's approaching (is already there?) Bono territory in terms of becoming a caricature of himself. . .

Some things you shouldn't get too good at,
Like smiling crying and celebrity,
Moses

Kirby

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Kirby Puckett. I remember seeing him play many times at Yankee Stradium in the late eighties and early ninetees. I remember watching him in CF and at the plate and noting how different he looked from the rest of the players. He went before his time at the tender age of 44.

Some have said that losing baseball is what did him in, in the sense that he never recovered from the loss. I suppose it's true, it was obvious how much he loved the game.

Sad stuff. RIP Kirby. . .

Look at me,
I can be,
Centerfield,
Moses

Didn't the Oscars used to end later? It's kinda almost early 11:30 and it's all over. . .

Best Picture

Crash won, only movie of the five that I have yet to see.

Good one Moses. . .

I'll check it out when things calm down for me.

Maybe even I'll review it. . .

Ha ha. . .

Good night and good luck,
Moses

Oscars

To absolutely no one's surprise (right?) Reese Witherspoon and Phillip Seymour Hoffman took home Oscars for best actor male and female. Both were outstanding and were my choices for the Oscar. . .

I intend to buy both movies once they are available on DVD, in particular, Capote which in my opinion features one of the best performance I have ever seen in Hoffman's portrayal of Capote. This Oscar deserves a star. . .

Still waiting on Best Picture. . .

You're a superstar,
Well that's what you are,
Moses

Et Tu, Brute?

Andrew Sullivan who rarely fails to capitalize on an opportunity to bash Muslims or Arabs advises to Dems to take advantage of Bush's weaknesses by running a campaign that features the platform:

"get our troops out of Iraq and Arabs out of our ports"

The sad part is that Dems have already embraced wholeheartedly, at least, the latter portion of this admonition as we've seen from, among others, Hillary and consumate parasite Chuck Schumer. . .

It's getting better all the time,
(Can't get no worse),
Moses

Munch on This

"From my rotting body, flowers shall grow and I am in them and that is eternity."
—Edvard Munch

If you have not yet, go see the Edvard Munch exhibit at Moma, it's absolutely outstanding. Munch's project(s) was so ambitious and yet he actualized and fullfilled it so well. Incredible stuff. The wild success of The Scream is almost unfortunate in so far as it overshadows his tremendous ouvre. . .

With such confusions don't it make you wanna scream,
Moses

A Good Joke

George W. Bush goes to a primary school to talk to the kids for a little PR. After his talk he offers question time. One little boy puts up his hand and George asks him his name. "Stanley," responds the little boy. "And what is your question, Stanley?" "I have 3 questions. First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN? Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes? And third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?" Just then, the bell rings for recess. George Bush informs the kiddies they will continue after recess. When they resume George says, "OK, where were we? Oh, that's right: question time. Who has a question?" Another little boy puts up his hand. George points him out and asks him his name. "Steve," he responds. "And what is your question, Steve?" "Actually, I have 5 questions. First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of he UN? Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes? Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden? Fourth, why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early? And fifth, what the hell happened to Stanley?"

(thanks to nosferatu)

Pool A - WBC

Korea pulled it out against Chinese Tai Pei and Japan hung a serious hurt on China 18-2. . .

Woke up early and caught a good deal of Japan and China. . .

This is great!

I got more hits than Saduhara Oh,
Moses

More WBC

BTW, the odd thing is that both teams appear to be sporting home uniforms. Chinese Tai Pei looks almost Braves-ish and Korea kind of looks like the Royals. CTP is wearing all white and Korea is wearing a dark blue (alternate jersey/spring training) top and white home pants. . . weird I wonder if teams will even have road grays. . .

WBC

Just watched a few minutes of the WBC that is finally upon us. Korea and Chinese Tai Pei from Tokyo. So far with having watched just a few at bats, I have to say it's rather fun. Ok, it's back, Byung Young Kim is in there for Korea, I remember watching him in the bullpen in Pro Player from like 5 feet away while he was with Zona and at Yankee Stadium in person during the WS also while with Zona for his career defining meltdown AND once more for a lovely day game at Yankee Stadium when he blew a save for the Red Sox. . .

Seen him in person a lot I guess for someone who never played for the Yankees, Mets or Marlins. . .

Oh what a night,
Moses

Only Nixon Could Go to China. . .

Although, I dispute it, people sometimes tell me that I am liberal, I am actually fairly moderate, but either way perhaps, I have some credibility as not being partisan when I say this about this woman who was appointed by my favorite living President: Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an awful Supreme Court Justice. She's absolutely terrible and this latest episode with her is (or should be) humiliating. . .

You're an idiot babe,
Moses

The Death of John Wesley

Today is March 2, which is the date of the death of John Wesley, a righteous man and the founder of Methodism, not only a religion that I admire but also one related to the origins of my alma mater Duke University which was founded in 1838 in NC by the Union Institute Society, a group of Methodists.

Eruditio et Religio,
Moses

Iditarod

One of my favorite annual events starts this Saturday. As it does every year on the first Saturday in March the Iditarod begins in Anchorage, Alaska. The one thousand mile dog sled race travels through sometimes brutal conditions, under the Northern lights into the interior of Alaska and up around and along the shore of the Bering Sea ending in Nome Alaska. The symbolic race commemorates dog sledding and the old diptheria run. Although I have never seen it in person, it remains on my list of things to do before I die and I do plan another trip to Alaska for the salmon run circumstances allowing. The big story with the Iditarod this year is warmer weather has altered course.

I would 500 miles;
and I would walk 500 more,
Moses