Overnight Music

Joe Pug - Nation of Heat

I Predict Things

Moving back to .500 feels good. Getting over it will be even better. I plan on doing so tonight.

I would love to see Northwestern pick up their 10th victory of the season tonight and typically root for Big Ten teams during bowl season. The Wildcats get Tyrell Sutton back tonight who missed the last four games with a broken wrist, but that boost won't be enough to overcome Missouri and its high powered offense. Gimmie the Tigers.

Current prediction record.
4-4

Green Technology

There has been a lot of talk about Obama's plan for a stimulus package. Spending on infrastructure seem to dominate the discusssion, but hopefully some money could get spread around for research on 'Passive Houses'.

From the outside, there is nothing unusual about the stylish new gray and orange row houses in the Kranichstein District, with wreaths on the doors and Christmas lights twinkling through a freezing drizzle. But these houses are part of a revolution in building design: There are no drafts, no cold tile floors, no snuggling under blankets until the furnace kicks in. There is, in fact, no furnace.

On of the things that usually set green technology back is that the costs, both in production and maintaining, can be higher than traditional models. This, though, is pretty encouraging.

And in Germany, passive houses cost only about 5 to 7 percent more to build than conventional houses.

A 5 to 7 percent increase is certainly going to be steeper with a house, but with little to no heating required and considering likely rising cost of heating your home that 5 to 7 percent increase over the long-term looks minimal.

Not Learning

I have not followed the battle for head of the RNC. It just doesn't interest me and I am sure that I am not alone. I did find this interesting though.

A candidate for the Republican National Committee chair sent out a holiday CD to committee members that includes the song "Barack the Magic Negro," a parody first aired on Rush Limbaugh's radio show.

In a normal party, this would end your bid for head of the national party. My guess is that it will probably strengthen it. For a party that continually claims their need to win more of the minority vote, this just isn't a smart move.

Poetry

3:30 am and I can't sleep. Thank goodness for Poetry Daily and this. I'm a little troubled by all the capitalization. It throws off my reading a bit, but the last line is just killer.

Nothing else that dies is exactly so blue.

I am convinced beyond a doubt that the last line in a poem is as key as the guitar solo in a rock song.

Man On Wire

I am sure that I am not alone in having seen countless photos of a tightrope walker making his way between the two World Trade Center towers. I never knew who the man was, when it happened or the story behind it until watching the documentary Man On Wire.

The man is Phillippe Petit, a street performer and tightrope walker from France who spent years planning the illegal adventure. The flick documents a bit of his earlier life as well as some of his earlier adventures, but focuses mostly on his trip between the towers and the reaction to it back in 1974. Well worth the look.

Overnight Music

A little more than a year ago I spent a good deal of time in Florida taking care of grandmother and was there when she passed. Matt Costa got me through it, especially Sunshine which is great for speeding down the road with the windows open. For me, it is impossible to listen to this song and not tap my foot or drum my fingers. Hope it does the same for you Skizzy. [/Casey Kasem]

Matt Costa - Sunshine

Airing of The Grievances

In hopes of doing some networking and attracting some new readers after years of making fun of the site I put up a myspace page. Let me just say my ridicule aimed at myspace was richly deserved. I don't think I have ever seen a more cluttered site. A quick note to many of the users there. You homepage should not cause seizures.

The Year in Pictures

Part 1 of a 3 part series. Some absolutely amazing and absolutely heartbreaking photos.

Happy Festivus!

Frank Costanza: Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way.

I shall hold the Airing of Grievances later today. And just so you know, I've got a lot of them.

A Good Sign For Soccer

As a soccer fan, especially as a US soccer fan, I am very encouraged to read things like this.

Major League Soccer has sold the international TV rights to its games to sports media company MP & Silva through 2013. Sports Business Journal reports that the deal involves "an eight-figure agreement."

As far as big moments in MLS history, this one ranks right up there with the opening of Crew Stadium.

Overnight Music

Adam Arcuragi - Bottom Of The River

Protecting The Small Label Band

I've been spending the evening going over Slowcoustic's 'best of the year' postings. There is some really good stuff over there and I highly recommend spending some time there if you are a fan of the kind of music that drives you to drink. However, I wanted to address this post I found on their site mentioning the desire to protect Bon Iver and Justin Vernon.

When I say “protective”, I mean that sometimes when the light shines bright on the lesser know artists it can feel like they are being drawn away from the listeners that might consider to have “discovered” that artist.

I have seen and heard similar comments before and never really understood it. Popular acceptance means more albums. Commercial success means the ability for the artist to devote more time to their trade. A combination of the two means that major labels might spend a bit more time looking at other groups and artists like Bon Iver and stop hyping the next Brittney Spears album (hey a guy can hope). I can't tell you the number of times I have found some track from a band, gone searching for more and discovered that they folded up shop years ago. A few more successes from the indie world like Bon Iver means that some of those yet to be discovered acts might be able to hang around a little while and turn out another gem or two.

I especially find this desire to protect bands from success rather strange when it comes from a music blog. The very purpose of a music blog is to introduce music to the masses. Hell, that is one of the main reasons why I do the overnight music. I think the world would be a better place if more people listen to groups like Bon Iver, not less.

I Predict Things

1-2 over the weekend and below .500 overall. Maybe I need to start picking easier games? Don't think it is beneath me to start picking some college basketball games where some big college team is playing UNC Southeastern School For The Blind. I'll do it, but not yet.

I like the Bears over the Packers tonight, despite the fact that the Packers have taken five straight Monday night match-up from the Bears. The Packers have nothing left to play for sitting on a 5-9 record while the Bears still have playoff hopes are are looking for a little revenge after an embarrassing 37-3 loss to the Packers earlier in the season. Add Matt Forte going against a Packers defense that is ranked 26th and give me the Bears to win.

Current prediction record.
3-4

The Press Will Weep

Despite Patrick Fitzgerald's statement that the Obama administration was not involved in any wrongdoing the press has been doing it's best to play up some sort of connect to the whole Blago fiasco. If George Stephanopoulos's sources are accurate when the Obama team releases their report, currently being held at Fitzgerald's request, it will be a disappointing Christmas for the press.

Sources tell me that the Obama team's review of contacts with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will show that Rahm Emanuel had only one phone conversation with Blagojevich.
..............

The sources add that the report will show Emanuel also had four phone calls with Blagojevich Chief of Staff John Harris. During those conversations, the Senate seat was discussed. The pros and cons of various candidates were reviewed, and the sources say that Emanuel repeatedly reminded Harris that Blagojevich should focus on the message the pick would send about the governor and his administration.

Sources also confirm that Emanuel made the case for picking Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett during at least one of the conversations. In the course of that conversation, Harris asked if in return for picking Jarrett, "all we get is appreciation, right?" "Right," Emanuel responded.

I Predict Things

For the record, I did say that I didn't like my pick last night in the Ravens/Cowboys game and who knew that after the Cowboys offense finally found something that worked their defense would say 'fuck it' to the postseason. Anyway, upward and onward.

I like the Steelers over the Titans today largely in part to the absence of Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch. Haynesworth is obviously the biggest MIA, but with both out the Steelers poor running game (23rd in the NFL) should get an assist and help them on the path to homefield advantage through the playoffs.

The Cardinals are not fans of the Eastern Time Zone, amassing a 2-19 record over 21 games. I like the Patriots at home and hopefully in the snow against a Cardinals team with little to play for.

Gimmie the Eagles over the Redskins today as well. The Redskins recorded a 23-17 win against the Eagles earlier in the season, but when your star running back (Clinton Portis) was unable to bend at the waist two days ago you usually lose.

Current prediction record.
2-2

Overnight Music

Seasick Steve - Cut My Wings

Pro Bowl Snub

I'm late to the party on this and don't usually complain about Pro Bowl snubs, but this one doesn't make sense.

Player A
Yds Tds Ints QB Rating
3052 21 17 86.5

Player B
Yds Tds Ints QB Rating
3515 28 11 101.4

So which player do you pick? It is pretty easy to see that Player B is having the better season. Player B, entering into this week, is actually leading the league in QB rating and is tied with the lead in touchdowns. This is a slam dunk right?

Player A is Brett Favre and is headed to the Pro Bowl. Player B is Phillip Rivers and will be staying home. The NFL really needs to rename the Pro Bowl the Popularity Bowl or just make it a yearly tribute to Brett Favre and stop pretending it is a legit reward for players have great seasons.

Also, Vic Carucci is an idiot even if he agrees with me that Rivers is a Pro Bowl snub. Vic thinks LT is a snub because his numbers are 'far from awful'. There are 13 running backs that have more rushing yards than LT. LT is also averaging 3.6 yards per carry. No those aren't awful numbers, but in order to go to the Pro Bowl you should have numbers that are a bit better than 'far from awful'.

Three Old Guys

When you have been wrong on Iraq as often as Lieberman, Graham and McCain have been you really shouldn't be lecturing the rest of us on how to move forward. This is especially true right after an election where you got your ass handed to you.

I do find this amusing.

Iraq can serve as an anchor of stability in the region, a counter to Iranian hegemony and a model of democracy for the Middle East.

Iraq is certainly better than it was earlier in the invasion, but too often pundits and idiots try to claim that Iraq is a model of stability or is really really close. But these are not the signs of a country that can serve as an anchor of stability in the region.

A double explosion in Nahda in downtown Baghdad has killed 18 people and injured 52 others around 11 a.m.

A magnetic bomb detonated under a civilian car in Thawra neighborhood in Mosul city yesterday night

A roadside bomb targeted a police patrol in Palestine street (south Mosul). Two people were killed and four others wounded including two policemen.

Gunmen kidnapped a citizen of Ulamaa neighborhood in Kirkuk city yesterday night.

Gunmen opened fire on a civilian car in Sikanian (north of Kirkuk) injuring the driver on Tuesday night.

All of these incidents were report on Dec. 17., but hey if we ignore all that then McCain, Lieberman and Graham can thump their chests, claim victory and tell the rest of us that we can reach a 'consensus' on Iraq if only we agree with them.

I Predict Things

Getting two in a row feels good, but I don't feel good about the pick I am about to make. There is certainly no lack of motivation for either team tonight. The Ravens need a win to keep their playoff hopes in their hands instead of having to look for help to do so and after their tough loss against the Steelers last week I expect their defense to be fired up big time. Dallas is in a similar playoff position as the Ravens and will be looking put a mark in the win column in their final game at Texas Stadium.

The Cowboys defense has been much improved since head coach Wade Phillips took over the play calling, which I think will be the difference in the game. Look for the Cowboys to stack the line, limiting the Ravens rushing attack and put the game on the shoulders of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. Cowboys win.

Current prediction record.
2-1

Reality Has A Liberal Bias

Matt Stoller over at Open Left makes an interesting find.

Attention Economists: Are You A Stimulus Spending Skeptic?

A recent Associated Press article quoted transition officials for President-elect Obama as saying "[o]nly one outside economist" contacted by the President-elect's advisors had "voiced skepticism" about the President-elect's emerging plans for an economic "stimulus" spending bill with a price tag as large as $1 trillion, with the vast majority of that number going to new spending on government programs and projects.

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) is compiling a list of credentialed American economists who would like to add their voices to the list of stimulus spending skeptics. If you are an economist who would like to be added to this list, you can join the list here and provide your comments.

You would think that when the number of outside economists that oppose Obama's stimulus plan number in the single digits that there where be equal agreement that it was a good thing. As we have learned though, facts don't matter to a number of Republicans (see Iraq invasion and anything dealing with science). There is no doubt that Boehner will find economists to go against the stimulus, but I will be interested in seeing their credentials. My guess is that they will have the same weight as the 'scienctists' Republicans dig up to deny climate change. Don't look for the media to point this out though.

What I find strange is that it looks pretty likely that Obama is going to get his stimulus package with the numbers they have in both the House and Senate. Smart governance would be making sure the stimulus package is structured appropriately by keep the pork to a miniumum, making sure the money is distributed fairly, make sure proper oversight is implemented, etc. This doesn't appear to be the case with the Republicans as facts be damned, Boehner wants to oppose it.

Overnight Music

Luna - California All The Way

I Predict Things

The Colts head to Jacksonville where a win will not only give them eight consecutive victories, but will also wrap up their seventh straight ticket to the playoffs. The Jaguars beat the Colts earlier in the season on a Josh Scobee 51-yard field goal, but this was when Manning was clearly struggling. In their early season match-up Manning completed less than 50 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions. Tonight, Manning heads into the game having complete 70 percent of his passes in four straight games. With this being a rivarly game funny things can happen, but even without Marvin Harrison I think the Colts have enough to secure the victory and clear their path into the playoffs. Colts win.

Current prediction record.
1-1

More Warren

With Obama willing to open up dialogue with Iran, it seems kinda silly to invite a pastor or thinks we should take out their president.

HANNITY:Can you — can you talk to rogue dictators.

Ahmadinejad denies the Holocaust, wants to wipe Israel off the map, is seeking nuclear weapons.

WARREN: Yes.

HANNITY: I think we need to take him out.

WARREN: Yes.

HANNITY: Am I advocating something dark, evil or something righteous?

WARREN: Well, actually, the Bible says that evil cannot be negotiated with. It has to just be stopped. And I believe...

HANNITY: By force?

WARREN: Well, if necessary. In fact, that is the legitimate role of government. The Bible says that God puts government on earth to punish evildoers. Not good-doers. Evildoers.

I mentioned it in my last post, but I am just amazed that Warren is consider as somebody both the left and right can love because he thinks we should be concerned about poverty and AIDS. These are character traits of decent people, not of somebody who should be held up as all that is good and holy. I think it is wrong for people to punch little old ladies in the head, but I don't use that as an example of why I am awesome because everybody should think it is wrong to punch little old ladies in the head.

Those few on the left and those in the media that portray Warren as 'different' type of evangelical or as Nicholas Kristof said an "evangelical liberals can love." are being played. Even Warren, in comparing himself to Dobson said the only difference is tone. In other words, Warren does better PR.

I just want to add one other thing, not dealing exclusively with Warren. Ahmadinejad, despite the title of President, is not the leader of Iran. He is a figurehead with no power. The fact that media types and others think that he has any real power is a pretty clear signal that most people just don't know what they are talking about when it comes to the middle east.

Warren Gets Obama Invite

A number of people are upset with the selection of Rick Warren to give the invocation at Obama's inauguration. I'm in agreement that I think it is in bad taste, but gave up a long time ago hoping that America would keep it's politics and religion at a safe distance. Warren, like most evangelicals is anti-choice, anti-gay rights and anti-stem cell. This makes me very anti-Warren regardless of how many copies of The Purpose Driven Life he has pushed. I've said it before, but people who are anti-stem cell research due to moral reasons have shit for morals.

Warren gets a lot of bonus points in many circles because he thinks his flock should take an interest in global issues like poverty, AIDS and genocide. I think that are noble issues, but when did that become applaud worthy? Aren't all decent people concerned about genocide? Is caring about the poor and fighting AIDS really going above and beyond what christians should do?

Overnight Music

The Watson Twins - Just Like Heaven

The Bush Legacy

Fed cuts interest rate to pretty much zero.

The Federal Reserve entered a new era on Tuesday, setting its benchmark interest rate so low that it will have to reach for new and untested tools in fighting both the recession and downward pressure on consumer prices.

To which Paul Krugman replies.

Seriously, we are in very deep trouble. Getting out of this will require a lot of creativity, and maybe some luck too.

I have heard a number of Bush supporters claim that historians won't be as harsh on Bush and his foreign policy bumbles as people currently are. I always found that to be more wishful thinking that honest analysis. They might be on to something though. At the rate things are going, historians will be so busy writing about how disastrous his domestic policies were they won't have the ink to cover his foreign policy bumblings.

Less Is Not More

As a former English major I feel supremely qualified to say for the record that less is not more. More is more and less is actually less. This might seem like a pretty simple concept to some, but apparently ESPN needs to be reminded that words have meaning as they cut content on their site to boost advertising revenue.

ESPN. com is moving in a less-is-more direction, at least on the home page.

If ESPN would just be honest and say that they want to generate more ad revenue at the expense of content instead of treating people like idiots would be great.

Overnight Music

J. Tillman - Seven States Across

A Quarterback Problem

Find better teachers is usually one of the first options people give when asked how we can improve education. The problem is that we don't really have a system in place to do that and there doesn't seem to be much of an interest in producing one. We require teachers to acquire master degrees, to attend workshops, we apply test scores and encourage continuing education. The problem is those tools don't necessarily mean you are finding better teachers, it means you are trying to produce them.

A group of researchers—Thomas J. Kane, an economist at Harvard’s school of education; Douglas Staiger, an economist at Dartmouth; and Robert Gordon, a policy analyst at the Center for American Progress—have investigated whether it helps to have a teacher who has earned a teaching certification or a master’s degree. Both are expensive, time-consuming credentials that almost every district expects teachers to acquire; neither makes a difference in the classroom. Test scores, graduate degrees, and certifications—as much as they appear related to teaching prowess—turn out to be about as useful in predicting success as having a quarterback throw footballs into a bunch of garbage cans.

Malcolm Gladwell's article, linked above, is an interesting look at the problem using something dear to my heart, football scouting.

The problem is that it is incredibly hard to translate skills from college to skills in the pros, or in the case of education in the classroom. A lot of people thought Ryan Leaf and David Klingler were going to be great quarterbacks. If you aren't a football fan, both were stars in the college ranks and jokes in the pros.

I would say the problem goes a bit further than that. Some college stars that turned into jokes did so in part because the team's they went to never surrounded them with the proper talent, were tutored by bad coaches, were rushed into the spotlight too early or some combination of the three. It isn't hard to picture the same thing happening in education circles. Taking things a step further, some college stars might be good pros only if they are in the right system. Again, it isn't difficult to see the same thing happening with education. One teacher might not succeed in a rural school, but thrive in a urban school. Tossing a green teacher to the wolves early, might ruin a potentially great teacher.

The article is a pretty interesting read if you are interested in education and education policy.

I Predict Things

So 0-1 was not how I wanted to start this out. I planned on doing this weekend's games, but real life got in the way. So on to Monday Night.

This one might get ugly in a hurry. The Eagles have the league's fourth ranked defense while the Browns own the league's 28th ranked offense and haven't scored a touchdown in three consecutive games.

Eagles win big.

Current prediction record
0-1

When Things Go Too Far

Ugh.

Double Ugh.

I love my ipod and would probably love a lot of different iwhatever, but this is starting to go too far.

I'm Here To Help

Pissed the significant other off? Forget flowers and all that garbage. Lobster is crazy cheap.

Overnight Music

Margot and The Nuclear So and So's - As Tall As Cliffs

WTF?

Ronan Dex is not pleased.

Entertainment Weekly does a Sci-Fi Top 25 starting from 1982. The fact that Quantum Leap comes in only at 22 and there is no mention of Stargate or Stargate Atlantis means the list is seriously flawed.

The Lego Revolution Begins

And starts with Hip-Hop album covers.

Disappointing Appointments

I have seen a handful of complaints from the left on the appointments the Obama transition team have made to date. As well, the media seems particularly interested in highlighting that a number of those appointments are moderates or those (like Clinton) who disagreed with him at times and thus claim that Obama is assembling a 'Team of Rivals' like Lincoln as describe by Doris Kearns Goodwin. As usual, I think people are missing the point especially the media.

I don't see Obama seeking out his rivals, Daschle certainly isn't a rival, nor Richardson or Chu. And simply because Obama ran against Clinton, that alone doesn't make them rivals as all evidence from the general election to now show the two of them working pretty well together. I think the 'Team of Rivals' idea has come up in large part because most people (Clinton and Obama supporters from the primary) still have some hard feelings and have projected their own feelings onto this pairing and the media feeds off this. Remember how hard of a time Obama was supposed to have winning over the former Clinton supports and all the PUMA stories during the convention?

I think the biggest thing you see with Obama is that he is bringing in people with experience in getting the job done or people supremely qualified to get the job done. I think it says a lot when you bring in Steven Chu for Energy Secretary and he just happens to be a Noble physics laureate. Bringing in Clinton to head State, to me, is a clear signal that he wants to skip the meet and greets of foreign policy and get to work. And there could be no clearer sign that Obama is serious about healthcare than bringing in Tom Daschle.

One of the themes being pounded on by the media is 'where is the change?' when Obama is bringing in people with a good deal of Washington experience. I think too many people attached their own meaning of what Obama meant by 'change' even though he described it pretty clearly at the convention. The change Obama was talking about, for the most part, is government actually getting back to governing and getting things done. The jury will be out for awhile on if that change can happen and the Republicans will fight it tooth and nail, but I think the right team is in place to get the job done.

Transportation

It will certainly be a battle to get something like this through Congress, but as I have mentioned before I love that the Obama administration is thinking big and thinking about a serious contribution to transportation.

Transportation will play a central role in Obama's first months in office, not just for policy changes aimed at improving highway, air and rail travel, but as a road toward economic recovery, energy independence and environmental protection.

Solve road congestion, Obama's reasoning goes, and you put people to work.

Use less gasoline and help clean the air.

Build better trains and move goods more efficiently.

Get people out of their cars and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Overnight Music

Sam Amidon - Wedding Dress

Flip Throws

One thing that I have never understood as both a player and a coach of soccer is why anybody would challenge a throw-in. What usually happens when somebody does challenge a throw-in is this.

You gotta give the kid credit for stepping in to challenge the second throw. I sure as shit wouldn't.

No Need For Secretary of Agriculture

I'm not sure we need a 'Secretary of Food', but I agree with Nicholas Kristof that the need for a Secretary of Agriculture is a bit outdated.

A Department of Agriculture made sense 100 years ago when 35 percent of Americans engaged in farming. But today, fewer than 2 percent are farmers.

Usually when any attack is made on the Agriculture Department it is met with calls about attacking the American farmer. The reality is a bit different according to Kristof.

But let’s be clear. The problem isn’t farmers. It’s the farm lobby — hijacked by industrial operators — and a bipartisan tradition of kowtowing to it.

I grew up on a farm in Yamhill, Ore., where my family grew cherries and timber and raised sheep and, at times, small numbers of cattle, hogs and geese. One of my regrets is that my kids don’t have the chance to grow up on a farm as well.

Yet the Agriculture Department doesn’t support rural towns like Yamhill; it bolsters industrial operations that have lobbying clout. The result is that family farms have to sell out to larger operators, undermining small towns.

One measure of the absurdity of the system: Every year you, the American taxpayer, send me a check for $588 in exchange for me not growing crops on timberland I own in Oregon (I forward the money to a charity). That’s right. The Agriculture Department pays a New York journalist not to grow crops in a forest in Oregon.

I really need to buy me a forest and promise not to grow crops on it.

Bailout Fail

I don't really want to get into the specifics of the bailout proposal that failed in the Senate due to a Republican filibuster. I'm much more interested in the politics the Republicans in the Senate are playing.

There were a number of concessions that the UAW and Senate Democrats were willing to make in order to get something done. Apparently, that wasn't enough and the bill didn't get enough votes to override the filibuster. It now looks as if the Bush administration will use funds from TARP to keep the Big Three afloat....for now. If TARP is used there will likely be few if any conditions attached to a bailout.

What I find interesting is that when the new Congress is set-up the Democrats are looking at 58-59 seats (depending on the Franken race outcome) in the Senate. All the Democrats will then need to do is poach one or two votes from the Republican side to get around a filibuster. The Democrats won't need to make as many concessions in the new Congress, meaning that most of the things the Senate Republicans wanted amended or weakened in the bill probably won't get in. They have much more bargaining power now and will have very little later. They have to realize this which leads one to believe they don't care or don't think the Big Three will fail or are just grandstanding.

Overnight Music

Iron and Wine - Naked As We Came

Show Your Work

Nothing made me break out into a cold sweat than seeing 'Show Your Work' on a math test. I'm beginning to think this would be a good requirement for some of the folks in the press. I have heard several 'the left wing blogs are upset at Obama' for about every decision and non-decision he has made so far. The trouble is, I haven't seen it and I read most of them. Their have been some complaints, but nothing to the level that some pundits are claiming (I talking to you David Shuster). It would be nice if they would point out some examples. Since they aren't, my guess is that they are doing what I used to do on those old math tests and just making shit up.

I Predict Things

I haven't found much to write about the last couple of days. Part of that might be that I am fighting a cold, playing catch-up with work and haven't really been that motivated. So to fill some space I figured I would go with some sports predictions. I'll keep a running tally so anybody who wants can mock me when I get things totally wrong.

Anyway, I'm going with the Saints over the Bears tonight. This goes against some trends as the Saints are terrible on the road (1-6 for the season) and have lost their last two games in Chicago. Most people will see this billing as the high powered Saints offense against the tough Bears defense. I think the true match-up to watch is just the reverse. Matt Forte has had a solid season for the Bears so far, but the Saints have allowed just one 100-yard rusher all season. If the Saints can hold Forte to under 100 yards, I think they win easy. Even if Forte has a good game, I think the Saints are poised to end the Bears hopes at a play-off spot.

Health Care In An Economic Crisis

I like seeing the Obama camp tie health care to the economic crisis. Although I would like to see them flesh this idea out a bit more. I think a number of people miss the point that when you have a system where most peoples' health care is tied to their jobs when they lose those jobs they lose their health care. This means more people on the government dime for health care, which in returns more money not used for the type of projects that create jobs.

Overnight Music

A request from the band of four. Happy Birthday Beth.

Leona Naess - Heavy Like Sunday

Timewaster

I feel like hell so a quick timewaster, some overnight music and then I'm taking The Dark Knight and going to bed. Screw all the work I am behind on.

Leno

NBC is replacing their entire 10pm broadcast slot with Jay Leno. I'm pretty excited about this as I don't have to worry about any DVR conflicts on NBC at 10pm because you can bet I won't be watching Leno. NBC can brag about Leno moving the 'King of Late Night' moving to prime time, but this really is NBC waving the white flag. Take a look at the top 10 broadcast shows according to Nielson from the week of Dec. 1. There isn't a sitcom, drama or comedy from NBC in the top 10. Leno does average 4.8 million viewers, but that is much less than what an actual hit in the 10pm slot would generate. What a Leno show does have over the competition is cost. With the average cost of a show costing 3 mil per episode, Leno needs just 400k for his. This move wasn't about competing with the other networks, but about saving money and settling for average.

Overnight Music

The Tallest Man On Earth - The Gardener

The Fins are on to something

Matthew Yglesias is apparently in Finland and reports back.

That leaves the other 65 percent of Helsinki kids in the municipal centers. Centers have two kinds of staff members — “kindergarden teachers” who have bachelor’s degrees and “practical nurses” who have less education. For every four children under the age of three you need one staff member. For every seven children between the ages of 3-6 you need one staff member. And for every two practical nurses you need one kindergarden teacher. So a section of 21 older kids would be taught by one kindergarden teacher assisted by two practical nurses.

Good luck finding the funds for a similar system here in the states.

Book Clubs

Lady takes her books and goes home.

The last straw came when the group picked “The Da Vinci Code” and someone suggested the discussion would be enriched by delving into the author’s source material. “It was bad enough that they wanted to read ‘Da Vinci Code’ in the first place,” Ms. Bowie said, “but then they wanted to talk about it.” She quit shortly after, making up a polite excuse: “I told the organizer, ‘You’re reading fiction, and I’m reading history right now.’ ”

Just a guess, but I bet Ms. Bowie doesn't have any friends left from her old book group or she won't after they read her slamming them in the New York Times.

Those who know me, would probably agree that I am the last person who should criticize somebody for being critical of other peoples' tastes. However, somebody should tell Ms. Bowie to get bent. Maybe it is because I have read "The Da Vinci Code" (and liked it) and have read several other pieces of pop-lit that over-serious people like Ms. Bowie like to thumb their nose at. I also hunt down and read every zombie and end-of-civilization novel I can find (World War Z is a must read for all zombie fans). I think The Wheel of Time is one of the greatest series ever. And fuck Ms. Bowie if that offends her fragile sensibilites, because as a former English major I can probably go book for book with her in the 'serious' works section.

Just to add something else real quick, I absolutely hate people who put an over emphasis on books written by dead people. This might come from doing nothing but reading books by dead people for four or so years in school, but there are a lot of writers out there who still have the ability to process oxygen that are just as good (some better imo) as those writers currently serving as fertilizer.

Oh and to those who might point out me making fun of Twilight.....I'm making fun of the movie, hell read nothing but cowboy romance and Harry Potter novels for all I care, so beat it.

Why I read Balloon Juice

John Cole.

2.) Larry Craig has lost his sex appeal. No, you perverts, his appeal to remove his guilty plea for soliciting sex in a bathroom.

I am smarter than soon to be ex-Gov. Blagojevich

Word of advice to all future Governors, it is never a good idea to try and sell a Senate appointment to the highest bidder especially when you are already being investigated for corruption.

Caught on tape, Blagojevich used an expletive as he described the Senate seat as something so valuable "you just don't give it away for nothing," adding that he might even appoint himself if he could get nothing for it, the criminal complaint against him said.

Oh I am also smarter than John Harris who is/was Blagojevich's chief of staff. John, your job is to stop your guy from doing mind numbingly stupid stuff like this.

Once and Overnight Music

I'm combining two posts here. I can do that because it is my blog and with few readers there aren't enough of you to shame me for my laziness.

I have a confession to make. I like musicals. I find myself at times humming With a Little Bit of Luck and Get Me To The Church On Time. I also think that Cabaret is one of the greatest musicals of all time. I do not, however, enjoy any musical made into movie silliness. I actually hate every last one, even my beloved Cabaret.

It was a couple of years ago that a friend and I were discussing super powers and if we could pick one that was completely off the wall (flying and x-ray vision need not apply) what would we pick. The power of musical dance ended up being pretty high on our list of powers wanted. Now while I think having such a power would be pretty damned cool (think of how much more fun waiting in line at the bank would be) it is a super power that simply doesn't translate well to film. In fact, it downright sucks and ruins things like Cabaret and My Fair Lady. I don't know why it works in the theater, it just does, and don't argue with me and say it work with Mary Poppins or any other musical, it doesn't.

With that out of the way, you really should rent or buy Once. Once is the story of a down-on-his-luck and disgruntled (is there any other kinda?) musician who meets another musician. If you haven't noticed I'm not that great at breaking down story lines. Anyway, what Once is able to do, that the film versions of Cabaret, My Fair Lady and all other movie musicals are unable to do is to meld music into film in a believable way. There is no power of musical dance here, no places where all of a sudden everybody breaks into song and dance while waiting in line or eating their dinner. Once is strange combination of good music and a good movie finding a common ground where they can co-exist without feeling forced.

The trailer.


The music.

Profound Amnesia

An interesting read on a man unable to form new memories.

Republican Party Problems

Ambinder has a post titled The Republican Lockbox which gives an interesting breakdown of voting patterns. The takeaway from the post, at least mine, is that the current GOP can't win without social conservatives (duh!), but the appeal to social conservatives is a drag on the party's chances in national elections.

This was an encourage comment from the article.

One reason why wealthier, knowledge/service workers are voting Democratic is because the Republicans have boxed themselves in on cultural issues, including the role and place of science in society.

I don't know how true that is, but I really want to believe the number of people who think dinosaur bones are just God's way of testing our faith are shrinking.

On a more serious note I think one of the reasons why we as a nation are falling behind in areas like science is due to one of the major political parties spending a fair amount of time mocking and challenging it. See stem cell research, climate change, creationism, etc.

Overnight Music

Band Of Horses - Is There A Ghost

Pay For Play

Yglesias is one of my favorite bloggers out there and I usually find myself agreeing with him, but I'm just not sold here.

I do, however, think that there could be a role for the Justice Department in looking at the larger issue of the NCAA cartel that enforces the “no wages for young professional athletes” rule governing big-time college football and college basketball programs. The rule makes no sense. Lots of people earn lots of money off big-time college football and college basketball programs. The unpaid players are adults, fully legally eligible to do paid work in the American economy. And colleges all across the country employ students as part-time workers in a variety of capacities. So why shouldn’t they pay the kids who are earning them big money playing football and basketball? No reason anyone should force schools to pay their players, but there’s also no reason colleges should be allowed to engage in cartel behavior that would be considered illegal in any other field just because they’re colleges.

Too often people seem to accept the idea that college athletes in big-time programs are making the university lots of money and getting nothing in return. This just isn't the case. First, and most important, they are afforded the opportunity of getting a college education for free. Simply because one and done players, for example Greg Oden, refuse to take advantage of this doesn't make it less valuable. And while it may seem small to some, the travel schedule (including things like bowl games and March Madness) on the university dime shouldn't be dismissed.

Something else to keep in mind is that while a number of schools make money off their basketball and football programs, a good deal of that money made goes back into the Athletic Department to fund the lesser programs like soccer and lacrosse. Paying student athletes would likely result in a good number of cuts to those programs if not their elimination and creating a small number of big-time programs that could actually pay their student athletes.

One thing that I wouldn't be against is for players to get a cut of merchandising profits from appearal tied to their number or likeness based on the condition that they graduate within a five year window.

Only Losers Fact Check

ABC isn't alone in making the claim that union workers for the Big 3 make more than 73 dollars an hour in wages and benefits, but they appear to be the most recent. It isn't true.

I can't help but think how awesome it would be if we had a media where facts mattered.

Gimmick Conditions

As stupid as it is/was to oppose a bailout to the Big 3 because the CEOs rode in on private planes, it is equally stupid to now support one because they are pledging to slash their yearly salaries to $1. This salary slashing is nothing more than a gimmick and not an entirely creative one.

In the last year, the chief executives of 32 companies in the Russell 3000 took $1 or no base salary, according to executive compensation firm Equilar.

But this handful of executives still earned millions of dollars through stocks and other forms of compensation, according to data provided by the Corporate Library, a research firm that tracks executive compensation based on company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

I'm pretty much in favor of a bailout for the auto industry, but I have serious concerns about it's effectiveness in large part because I think most people will fall for gimmick conditions like the $1 salary. For the bailout to be effective it needs to be tied to conditions that aren't based around a propaganda war.

Krugman

I'm not an economist, but I read Paul Krugman. I might stop doing so if he keeps posting stuff like.

I’ve been ruminating over economic prospects for next year, and I’m getting scared.

Krugman was one of the few sending warning signals on the economy back in the days when it was still cool to mock those worried about a housing market collapse.

He also brings up a good point that not many people have mentioned.

Infrastructure spending will take time to get going

The mix of good news/bad news here is that while there appears to be enough agreement to get some type of stimulus package done, it isn't likely to happen until Obama takes office. From all appearances the package Obama envisions is one heavy in infrastructure and R&D initiatives towards 'green' energy. The Obama camp is clearly thinking big and looking at both short and long term benefits. The problem is that states are not going to get their slice of the pie and head out and start building roads the next day so even the short term benefits of a stimulus package are unlikely to be felt for awhile.

Overnight Music

Regina Spektor - Fidelity

Sequels

EW gives a list of 25 sequels they would like to see. I haven't gone through all 25 yet, but I wanted to toss out some random thoughts.

I don't want to see a sequel to Top Gun like the EW gang. My guess it that it would be a lot like the Iron Eagle sequels with the addition of Tom Cruise.

Like the EW gang I am surprised that there hasn't been a sequel to Independence Day. I'll just second them and say that when a movie banks 817 million a sequel is usually a given.

I will echo that I want a sequel to Before Sunset for the same reasons they gave. The writer in me has a good deal of respect for movies that are largely narrative driven.

Get Your Geek On

I am deeply disappointed that my geekdom doesn't rate high enough that I could find this gift useful, but I really wish it did.

Health Care Debate

Ezra Klein has a post up on an issue that has always bothered me. Whenever the pundits are discussing health care reform those pushing for the status quo like to use Canada and/or England as a comparison. The problem here is that it is a bad comparison. There is no plan or proposal in the pipeline for a single payer system, which is what Canada and England use. This is yet another example of where democrats and liberals allow the debate to be framed by the other side to their disadvantage and the press is too damned lazy to actually do their job. I'll let Mr. Klein do the heavy lifting for me and just suggest you read this.

The Visitor

The Visitor centers on the life of Walter. Walter is an econ professor who has checked out of life until he runs into a couple living in his apartment and discovers that he loves to play the drum. It is also written and directed by Thomas McCarthy who directed the Station Agent which is the best movie ever with a midget in it. If that isn't reason enough to see it, Hiam Abbass's performance is. Rent it or put it in your Netflix queue and thank me later.



While we are at it, if you haven't seen The Station Agent do yourself a favor.

Poetry

An old favorite of mine by Julianna Baggott.

Overnight Music

Margot and The Nuclear So and So - As Tall As Cliffs


*OATS Rule 47*
Playing in a band where a guy plays a mini-piano hanging from another guy's back gives you a coolness multiplier of two.

Art

Carl Warner plays with his food.

Stupid

According to Tim Fernholz, the Vatican gets an ambassador. It would be nice if somebody could explain to me why. Word is that the Vatican isn't happy with who Obama is likely to select. As a solution I recommend not naming one. I do have to tip my hat to Sarkozy and two of his attempted selections.

first a divorced man and then an openly gay man to the post, both of whom were rejected by the Papal See.

IMO, having your selection rejected by the Papal See is a clear sign that you are doing something right.

Overnight Music

Manchester Orchestra - Badges and Badges

I'm Tired

So look at some cool art from Yeondoo Jung who takes drawings by kids and turns them into photography.