2011 Predictions

How did I do last year? I did predict Rich Rodriguez's firing and Euro riots over austerity programs. I nailed the number of Senate seats the GOP won, but was way off on the House. I also predicted some major Dem defeats that did not occur. Although there was not widespread rioting, tensions over immigration are rearing their head in Europe.

I did not get: The Yanks did not have a year for the ages. No one died on a reality show (came close overseas though). Blue Rays still exist. The Mullahs still run Iran.

and some predictions:

The Economy: Shows some improvement, but no one feels it. Housing remains sluggish.

Korea: A war does not break out on the Korean Peninsula. The U.S. will back down (again) and give the North what they want. (Kudos to South Korea for standing up to the North).

Wikileaks: Julian Assange goes to jail. His idiot supporters will protest.

Politics: House Republicans hold hearings on health care reform which make the program even less popular. Also, there will be a major Obama Administration scandal.

Sports: Ohio State goes on probation.

History Shorts: Parthenon construction begins (447 B.C.)

Following the Persian War, Athens emerged as a regional super power. As a power, Athens led the Delian League which was a defensive alliance of Greek city states. The league formed to counter the Persian threat. Eventually, Athens came to dominate the Delian League and used its treasury to beautify the city. In 480 B.C., the Persians destroyed the Temple of Athena. Athens rebuilt the temple using Delian League members dues. Construction began in 447 B.C. and was completed in 432 B.C.  The structure became a symbol of Classical Greece and Athenian Democracy. However, Delian League members grew to resent Athens for spending their dues on Athenian beautification. Resentment increased when the league's treasury moved to the Parthenon. Anger over Athenian dominance eventually led to the Peloponnesian War. Today, Greece is working to restore and refurbish the structure.

 Building the Parthenon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVgfAd1Yz6M

The Parthenon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQPbGYR1jgs&feature=related

Top 200 Albums of All Time: A

I decided to do my own Top 200 Albums of All Time. Instead of ranking them #1-200, I am listing them alphabetically by artists. Here are the first 5 entries:

Highway to Hell: AC/DC (1979)


Highway to Hell is the last album AC/DC recorded with Bon Scott. The album propelled the band to stardom. Scott died six months after the album’s release. The song “Night Prowler” is about a boy sneaking into his girlfriend’s bedroom at night. However, the song was stolen by serial killer Richard Ramirez. The publicity led to a backlash against the band for a time.

Key Tracks:

Highway to Hell
Girls Got Rhythm
Shot Down in Flames

Back in Black: AC/DC (1980)

Five months after lead singer Bon Scott’s death by “misadventure,” AC/DC released their greatest album to date with a new lead singer. The band considered dissolving after Scott’s demise, but decided to carry on. They quickly drafted Brian Johnson to do vocals and brought producer Mutt Lange, who produced Highway to Hell, back. This metal masterpiece is the second highest selling album of all time. The band dedicated the album to Bon Scott.

Key Tracks:

Hell’s Bells
Back in Black
You Shook Me All Night Long

Toys in the Attic: Aerosmith (1975)

Aerosmith’s second best selling album is also their greatest work. The album contains four of the band’s most iconic songs including “Walk this Way” and “Sweet Emotion.” The album helped turn the Boston natives into one of America’s greatest bands. By the end of the decade, Aerosmith began to disintegrate as a result of drug abuse. They eventually recovered to reform and experienced a second round of success.

Key Tracks:

Toys in the Attic
Walk This Way
Sweet Emotion
No More No More

Dirt: Alice in Chains (1992)

The first band of the so-called Grunge era to break was not Nirvana. Alice in Chains broke slightly before their Seattle compatriots. In 1992, the band released Dirt which yielded multiple hits. The album focused on depression, drug use, death, war, and other downer topics. It was a clear antithesis of 80s pop metal which was in its death throes at the time.

Key Tracks:

Them Bones
Down in a Hole
Rooster
Angry Chair
Would?

5. At Fillmore East: The Allman Brothers Band (1971)

Recorded at the hallowed concert hall in New York City, the album highlighted The Allman Brothers talent and varied influences. The band incorporated blues, jazz, and southern rock into a four album recording. The album included songs with lengths of 19:15, 13:04, and 23:03 which demonstrates the longer attention span and sophistication of audiences of the time. The live albums made the Allman Brothers stars and showcased the talents of Duane Allman.

Key Tracks:

Statesboro Blues
Whipping Post

Top 10 San Francisco Giants Moments

Here is my list of greatest moments in Giants history:

Christy Mathewson strikes out 16 (October 3, 1904): Christy Mathewson struck out a record 16 St Louis Cardinals. During this period, players did not strike out as much as they do today. As a result, Mathewson's effort represented a major accomplishment.

Christy Mathewson pitches three World Series shutouts (1905): Christy Mathewson dominated the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1905 World Series. For the series, Matty pitched 27 innings, 13 hits, no runs, one walk, and struck out 18. In 2006, Kenny Rogers pitched three scoreless postseason games. In 2010, Matt Cain also pitched three games without allowing a run. However, only Matty pitched three complete game shutouts.

Giants win first “subway series” (1921): During the fifties, it seemed like the World Series was based in New York. The first time two New York teams faced off was 1921. The Giants defeated Babe Ruth’s Yankees in the first subway series.

Bobby Thompson (October 3, 1951): The Giants win the Pennant!

Mays catch sparks World Series sweep (September 29, 1954 Game One World Series): Many consider Willie Mays’ catch in the 1954 World Series the greatest ever. In the 8th inning, the score tied at 2, Vic Wertz hit a long drive to centerfield. Mays ran it down, made an over-the-shoulder catch, and rifled the ball back to the infield keeping the score tied. The catch sparked the Giants to a series sweep.

Dusty Rhodes Homer (September 29, 1954 Game One World Series): After Mays amazing catch, Dusty Rhodes hit a pinch home run in the 10th inning off Cleveland’s Bob Lemon to win Game 1 of the World Series. The Giants went on to sweep the Indians.

Willie Mays hits 4 Homers (April 30, 1961): The Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958. Three years later, Mays hit four homers at Milwaukee’s County Stadium. He stood on deck in the 9th when the Giants finished batting.

Giants beat Dodgers in a tie breaker to win pennant (October 3, 1962): In 1962, the Dodgers and Giants tied for the pennant for the first time since 1951. San Francisco took two of the three playoff games to capture the pennant. In the final game, the Giants scored four in the 9th to eliminate Los Angeles. They went onto lose a dramatic seven game World Series to the Yankees.

Tim Lincecum’s 14 Strikeouts (October 7, 2010 Game One NLDS): In his first postseason start, Tim Lincecum struck out 14 Braves in a 1-0 win. For the game, Lincecum allowed only 2 hits and a walk.

Edgar Renteria (November 1, 2010 World Series Game 5): The Giants led the Texas Rangers three games to one in the World Series. In Game 5, Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum dueled into the seventh. Neither team could score until Edgar Renteria hit a three-run shot off Lee to propel San Francisco to their first title. It was the Giants first World Championship since 1954.

Top 10 Baltimore Orioles Moments

In chronological order:

Jim Palmer vs. Sandy Koufax (October 6, 1966): On paper, it was a mismatch. The great Koufax against some youngster. The Orioles won the game 6-0 in Los Angeles to take a 2-0 World Series lead. The O’s went on to sweep the Dodgers. The 20-year-old Palmer eventually won 268 games, three Cy Young Awards, two more World Championships, and was elected to the Hall of Fame.

Frank Robinson wins MVP (1966): Robinson was the 1961 NL MVP with Cincinnati. Prior to the 1966 season, the Reds traded him to Baltimore. It was one of the most lopsided trades in history. Robinson won the 1966 AL MVP and the Triple Crown while leading the Orioles to the promised land. Frank Robinson remained in Baltimore through the 1971 season winning another World Series in 1970.

Brooks Robinson’s World Series (1970): Brooks Robinson took over the 1970 World Series batting .429 with 2 homers and 6 RBI in the Orioles five game victory. Despite the dominant hitting performance, Robinson cemented his place in history as the greatest defensive third baseman in history by vacuuming up every ball hit in his direction regardless of the difficulties. He several impossible plays on Reds hitters. Johnny Bench must have been having Brooks Robinson nightmares ever since 1970.

http://brooksrobinsontribute.com/70%20World%20Series.htm

Four 20 game winners (1971): Baltimore is the last team to have four twenty game winners on its staff. Mike Cuellar (20), Pat Dobson (20), Jim Palmer (20), and Dave McNally (21) combined for 81 wins and a .723 winning percentage. The four aces led Baltimore to a third consecutive pennant.

Tito Landrum (October 8, 1983 Game 4 ALCS): Baltimore and the Chicago White Sox battled into the 10th inning of Game 4 of the 1983 ALCS. The O’s led the series 2-1 and needed one victory to clinch the pennant. Storm Davis and Brit Burns dueled to a scoreless tie through six. Tippy Martinez replaced Davis in the 7th for the birds. Burns continued for the Sox and the game remained scoreless through 9. In the 10th, Tito Landrum hit a solo homer to give the Orioles the lead igniting the offense. Baltimore scored two more runs to take the game 3-0.

Rick Dempsey and Eddie Murray end the World Series (October 16, 1983 Game 5 World Series): Eddie Murray hit two homers, drove in three, and Rick Dempsey added a solo shot to end the Wheeze Kids season and clinch Baltimore’s last world championship. Dempsey won the World Series MVP with a .385 average.

2131 (September 6, 1995): Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s unbreakable consecutive games played streak when he played in his 2,131 consecutive game. To commorate the event, Ripken homered in the Oriole victory. After the game became official, Ripken took a victory lap and celebrated with the fans. The streak ended after 2,632 consecutive games.

Eddie Murray’s 500th Homer (September 6, 1996): Steady Eddie Murray got his 3000th hit with the Cleveland Indians. He returned to Baltimore in 1996 and hit home run #500 one year to the day that Cal Ripken broke Gehrig’s consecutive game record. Murray is one of four men with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.

Cal Ripken 3000 (April 15, 2000): Cal Ripken ended the 1999 season just short of 3000 hits. In 2000, he quickly achieved the milestone. On April 15, he scored #3000 with three singles making him the 24th man to achieve the mark. The O’s won the game 6-4 over Minnesota.

Orioles: 11 Red Sox: 10 (June 30, 2009): Down 10-1 in the 7th, the O’s win 11-10. Baltimore scored 5 in the 7th off Justin Masterson and then another 5 in the 8th off Hidecki Okajima, Takashi Saito, and Jonathan Papelbon. It is the greatest comeback in team history surpassing 1956’s eight run comeback against the Boston Red Sox.

History Shorts: Plataea and the end of the Persian War (479 B.C.)

The final major battle of the Persian War was fought at Plataea. An alliance of Greek city states, including Athens and Sparta, defeated Xerxes and the Persians. The year before, Xerxes defeated the Spartan defenders at Thermopylae, conquered Attica, and torched Athens. However, his naval defeat at Salamis left the conquest incomplete. In 479 B.C., the Persians looked to finish off the Greeks. After an eleven day stalemate, the Persians believed the Greeks were retreating. In reality, the Greeks were reorganizing due to a disrupted supply line. The Persians attacked and were routed. On the same day, the Persian navy was also routed in battle. Afterward, the Greeks spent 30 years clearing the Persians out of their territory. The victory led to the rise of modern western civilization with modern philosophy and democracy. It also created a Persian boogeyman for Alexander the Great to exploit and later destroy.


Here is how Hollywood and Frank Miller depicted the engagement: It includes the typical inspirational speech which predicts the rise of Western Civilization. The Greeks did not dress like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFOl-QXpLc4

History Shorts: The Battle of Salamis (480 B.C.)

Following the Battle of Thermopylae, a Greek fleet under Athenian command engaged the Persian invasion fleet. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Greeks achieved a dramatic victory sinking or capturing 300 enemy vessels. Persian King Xerxes retreated back to Asia. The Persians and Greeks fought a final, decisive battle the following year at Plataea.

Here is a compilation someone threw together to portray the battle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGWO7qog-_0

History Shorts: 300 Spartans at Thermopylae (480 B.C.)

After the failure of the initial invasion, the Persians returned to conquer and punish the Greeks. The Athenians defeated Persia at Marathon in 490 B.C. In 480 B.C., they returned with a vengeance. 7,000 Greeks marched to meet the Persians at Thermopylae. They hoped to block or delay the Persian advance by positioning themselves at the pass. They held a massive Persian army at bay for a week. During the battle, a force of 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas fought the Persians to a standstill. However, a Greek traitor named Ephialtes led the Persians around the Spartans leading to their annihilation. Afterward, an enraged Xerxes beheaded and crucified Leonidas' body. Although defeated, the Spartans provided valuable time for the Greek forces to prepare for the culminating battles of the Persian War. Additionally, it allowed the citizens of Athens to escape before the Persians took the city. Those that remained were killed and the city burned.


Thermopylae lives on in pop culture through Frank Miller's Graphic Novel, 300 which was later turned into a film. There was also a 1962 film, 300 Spartans which recounts the battle.

Spartans vs. The Immortals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou-y56B1bxQ

The Spartans last stand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kuna7sC5ek&feature=related

History Shorts: The Battle of Marathon (490 B.C.)

Around 500 B.C., Ionia revolted against Persian rule. Greece helped the rebels which angered the highly aggressive Persians. The Persian King Darius reestablished control over the rebellious city states and then launched a punitive expedition against Greece. In 490 B.C., Athens defeated the Persians at Marathon. Darius retreated back to Asia with his tail between his legs ending the first Persian invasion. Following the failure, Darius faced an Egyptian revolt which prevented a second invasion during his lifetime. The Battle of Marathon proved the Greeks could not only stand up to the powerful Persian Empire, but defeat it. Had the Greeks failed, western history would have been dramatically different. Classical Greece would never have developed to inspire and shape European history. Following the victory, a messenger raced from Marathon to Athens to deliver word of the victory. The run inspired the modern marathon.



The Battle of Marathon (from Battles B.C.):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa8RM2pQjeY

The 1979 Boston Marathon (The modern marathon was inspired by the battle):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yTVylg2xCM

Presidential Songs: Barack Obama

Barack Obama admits to having varied musical tastes. He likes everything from Bruce Springsteen to Lil Wayne. During his presidential campaign, he adopted a U2 song for his theme. When he announced his candidacy, "City of Blinding Lights" blared over the crowd.

City of Blinding Lights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pCqii5Po_s

Bruce Springsteen was inspired by the Obama campaign and wrote "Working on a Dream":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3ZMfPXgd_M

On a humorous note, Obama and the Mayor of Las Vegas engaged in a bit of a spat. In honor of that, here's Elvis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFw5a5Bp_Pw

Top 10 Red Sox Moments

The Red Sox win the first World Series (1903): The Red Sox, known as the Americans at the time, defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in eight games to capture their first championship in the first World Series. In 1903, it was a best five-of-nine. The series is generally considered the wildest fall classic ever played and featured Honus Wagner and Cy Young. The Americans won the eighth game 3-0 behind Bill Dinneen to clinch the series.


Sox score two in the 10th to win the World Series (October 16, 1912): Boston and the New York Giants battled to Game 8 in the 1912 World Series. Although it was a best-of-seven, the teams tied Game 2 forcing the extra game. In Game 8, the Sox and Giants ended regulation tied at 1. In the 10th, New York scored to take a 2-1 lead. In the bottom half of the frame, Giants centerfielder Fred Snodgrass dropped an easy fly allowing Clyde Engel to reach second. After a fly ball advanced Engel to third and a walk, Tris Speaker popped up. No one made the play. Speaker promptly singled in the tying run off Christy Mathewson. The Giants intentionally loaded the bases to set up a force play at every base. Larry Gardner hit a sacrifice fly to right to end the World Series.

Ted Williams hits .406 (1941): Ted Williams was at .400 and could have taken the last day of the season off. Instead, he demanded to play in a doubleheader. The Splendid Splinter went 6 for 8 on last day to raise his average to .406. No player has hit .400 since.

Ted Williams homers in his last at bat (September 28, 1960): Ted Williams is one of 41 men to homer in a final at bat. However, there was only one Ted Williams. On a chilly Boston day, in another forgettable Red Sox season, Williams launched one 440 feet.

Yaz wins triple crown (1967): Carl Yastrzemski had the unenviable job of replacing Ted Williams. In 1967, it all came together. He won the triple crown and Boston enjoyed “an impossible dream” season. Whenever the Sox needed a big hit or big play, Yaz came through. For the year, Yastrzemski hit .326 with 44 home runs and 121 runs batted in. In the World Series, he chipped in a .400 average with three more homers. Carl Yastrzemski is the last player to win the triple crown.

The Impossible Dream (1967): The summer of 1967 witnessed one of the craziest pennant races in history. At the end of the season, four teams finished within three games of each other. The Tigers loss in the second game of a double header to California clinched the pennant. Boston battled the Cardinals to a seventh game, but could not defeat the invincible Bob Gibson in a Game 7.

The Fisk home run (October 21, 1975 Game 6 World Series): The Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds played in perhaps the greatest World Series in history. Carlton Fisk ended the greatest game in that series with a home run. The Reds needed one win to clinch their first title since 1940. They led 6-3 in the 8th when Bernie Carbo tied it with a three run home run. That sent the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the 12th, Fisk hit a fly ball off the foul pole to win the game. The camera focused on Fisk as the cameraman tried to steer clear of a large rat that surprised him. The end result was the iconic shot of Fisk willing the ball fair. Despite the dramatics, Boston lost Game 7 to the Big Red Machine. Nearly forty years later, Fisk jokes the Red Sox won that series three games to four.

Dave Henderson (October 12, 1986 Game 5 ALCS): The Angels led the Red Sox three-games-to-one in the American League Championship Series. In Game 5, the Angels took a 5-2 lead into the 9th. Mike Witt got into trouble surrendering a two-run homer to Don Baylor. He was replaced by Gary Lucas who hit Rich Gedman. California turned to their elite closer Donnie Moore to close out the series. Dave Henderson capped the rally with a two-out, two-strike two-run shot off Moore to give the Sox the lead. California tied the game, but Boston won in extra innings. Henderson’s rip doomed the Angels. They never recovered and Boston won the pennant.

The Idiots Comeback (2004): The Yankees took a 3-0 lead in the 2004 American League Championship Series. No team had ever come back to win a best-of-seven after trailing 3-0. The self-proclaimed “idiots” decided to make history. David Ortiz provided major hits to win Games 4 and 5 and send the series back to New York. Curt Schilling won Game 6 without an ankle. Television cameras transfixed on the blood oozing out of his sock. In Game 7, Johnny Damon’s grand slam set the tone for the game and the Sox rolled. It was their first pennant since 1986.

Curse Reversed (October 27, 2004 Game 4 World Series): Boston faced a formidable Cardinal team in the World Series. The Sox mojo overwhelmed St. Louis. They won a slugfest 11-9 in Game 1. Schilling returned with his bloody sock to win Game 2. Pedro Martinez pitched his final game in a Sox uniform winning Game 3. Derek Lowe closed out the Cardinals 3-0 to complete the sweep. The victory ended 86 years of frustration which was summed up as “The Curse of the Bambino.” The Red Sox had not won a World Series since shipping Babe Ruth to the Yankees. The idiots reversed the curse.

Top 10 New York Yankees Moments

Ruth christens Yankee Stadium (April 18, 1923): Babe Ruth opened Yankee Stadium with the ballpark’s first home run. Yanks win 4-1.


Ruth’s called shot (October 1, 1932 World Series Game 3): The Cubs were riding Ruth when he allegedly called his shot in the fifth inning. Video footage of the event definitely shows Ruth exchanging words with the Cub bench. However, there is no definitive evidence of Ruth calling the home run.

Lou Gehrig’s speech (July 4, 1939): The Yankees declared July 4, 1939 “Lou Gehrig Day” at Yankee Stadium. The doomed player addressed a crowd of 62,000 fans and proclaimed his belief that he was “the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.”

Joe DiMaggio’s 56 Game Hitting Streak (1941): It began on May 15 and did not end until July 17. DiMaggio got a hit in every single game for two months. That’s insane.

Billy Martin’s catch (October 7, 1952 World Series Game 7): In Game 7 of the 1952 World Series, Billy Martin made an amazing catch which saved the game and the series for the Yankees. Jackie Robinson hit a two-out seventh inning popup which the wind took. Martin desperately raced to make the catch with the bases loaded. The Dodgers failed to score and the Yanks won the game 4-2.

Don Larsen is perfect (October 8, 1956 Game 5): Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history after getting rocked in Game 2. It is the greatest game pitched in postseason history.

Roger Maris hits 61 (1961): Even though it seemed the world was against him, and he lost his hair, Roger Maris did the unthinkable and beat Babe Ruth’s home run record. Some people never forgave Maris for dethroning the Babe. Most people warmed to Maris however and his status has since been elevated because of the allegation of steroid use in the late 90s and early 00s.

Chris Chambliss walk-off (October 14, 1976 Game 5 ALCS): Chambliss sent the Yankees to their first World Series since 1964 with a walk off homer off Kansas City’s Mark Littell.

Reggie! Reggie! Reggie! (October 18, 1977 World Series Game 6): Reggie hits three homers on three pitches to sink LA’s championship hopes. What people don’t remember is Reggie hit a homer in his last at bat in Game 5. So, he hit four straight homers on four straight pitches.

Mr. November (October 31-November 1, 2001 World Series Game 4): Derek Jeter became Mr. November with a 10th inning walk off homer to tie the World Series at two games each.

Top 10 Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes

This list is my own...

1. The Inner Light (1992): Picard’s consciousness is kidnapped by an alien probe forcing him to live another man’s life in a few minutes. A long dead alien civilization launched the probe as their planet died in the hopes that it would preserve their culture. The Hugo Award winning episode is an ode to the spirit of survival, but also bittersweet as Picard is helpless to save the people and is forced to observe events. “The Inner Light” intimately catalogues the human life cycle as Picard in the form of Kamen lives out a full life in 25 minutes.


2. Best of Both Worlds (1990): The two-part episode explores loss as the Enterprise is forced to cope without their father figure. Picard is kidnapped and assimilated by the Borg and forced to assist in the destruction of Earth. The crew adapt to the situation and eventually defeat the invaders with Picard’s help. The show marked a turning point in the show as it steadily grew in popularity and quality.
3. The Drumhead (1991): An accident aboard the Enterprise leads to a full scale inquiry into treason. The episode parallels the McCarthy Hearings of the fifties and encapsulates the fear and paranoia which surrounded the period.

4. Yesterday’s Enterprise (1990): A spatial anomaly changes history as the Enterprise-C is thrust forward in time. The ship’s appearance precluded its defense of a Klingon outpost and that led a war. The what-if storyline helped inspire 2009’s Star Trek.

5. Tapestry (1993): Q offers Picard a chance to change his past. The result unraveled “the tapestry” of Picard’s life. The captain realizes the mistakes of his past led him down a better path than he realized.

6. Chain of Command (1992): Picard is kidnapped and tortured by the Cardassians over two episodes. The captain manages to defeat his interrogator, but just barely.

7. The Measure of a Man (1989): A cyberneticist boards the Enterprise determined to dissemble Data in order to see what makes him tick. Data objects and even resigns his commission leading to a trial to determine whether he enjoyed the same rights as humanoids.

8. Redemption (1991): Worf sides with Gowron during the Klingon Civil War in order to restore his family’s honor. In the meantime, Picard plays cat-and-mouse with Sela and the Romulan Fleet which is working against Gowron. At the same time, Data is forced to deal with a bigoted junior officer as he commanded a ship in Picard’s anti-Romulan task force. A lot is going on in this two-part episode!

9. Starship Mine (1993): At the time, some fans believed Picard talked too much, so the writers turned him into Rambo. Picard wages a one-man war against a group of mercenaries stowing aboard the Enterprise after the crew disembarked so the ship could undergo decontamination.

10. Sins of the Father (1990): Worf’s father is accused of treason. He returns to Kronos to challenge the accusation, but is forced to accept it in order to protect the Klingon Empire.

Quotes of the Month: November 2010

Quote of the Month: "You touch my junk, and I'm going to have you arrested."


-John Tyner to a TSA guy

Dumb Quote of the Month: "Today China has not only a more vigorous economy, but actually a better functioning government than the United States."

-George Soros

and the rest:

“Paybacks are a Behar.”

-Dennis Miller

"Sparky Anderson will always be measured by his number of victories and his place in baseball's Hall of Fame. But all of that is overshadowed by the type of person he was. Sparky not only spiked life into baseball, he gave life in general something to smile about. Never in my lifetime have I met a man as gentle, kind and courageous as Sparky."

-Dan Ewald

“People will suffer.”

-Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after his team’s 45-7 loss to Green Bay

"We've had trouble getting 14 people to agree on what time of the day to meet."

-Sen. Kent Conrad

"We have harpooned every whale in the ocean - and some minnows."

-Debt Commission Co-Chair Alan Simpson

“History is beginning to come around"

-Dick Cheney on the Bush Presidency

“u trashed my brand new prada purse dude not cool - how u managed to rip the strap off and put 2 holes in it is beyond me.”

-Porn Star Capri Anderson to Charlie Sheen

"I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!!" AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO..."

- Buffalo Bills player Steve Johnson after dropping a game winning TD pass

“I've made mistakes, I clearly did, but what I was hoping for was that some other dumbass would get on the front page and take me off the hook. I miss Lane Kiffin."

-Tennessee Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl

Person of the Year (2010)

It’s time for person of the year. Previous Winners include Rahm Emmanuel (2006), Al Gore (2007), Barack Obama (2008), and Leonard Nimoy (2009).


This year’s nominees in NO particular order:

Lady Gaga: She had a big year on the charts, with her fashion statements, and drunken debauchery in Jerry Seinfeld’s baseball suite.

Chilean Miners: Mining is the worst profession in the world. Imagine working miles underground with the constant threat of cave-ins. When you retire, you get to experience a whole host of nasty ailments. For these guys, they had the added thrill of being trapped underground!

Sarah Palin: John McCain created a monster and she is cashing in.

Glenn Beck: He’s been all over the place this year and grew influential. His Washington rally was designed to merge the religious right with the Tea Party and attracted many more than the Comedy Central event right before the elections.

Senator Jim DeMint: DeMint tied his fortunes with the Tea Party and bucked his own party to push for more fiscally conservative candidates. Right now, he’s a power broker.

The Tea Party: The Tea Party experienced dramatic growth and success over the year advocating fiscal sanity. As of today, it’s a force despite attacks from the fringe left, left bots, and other extremists. It’s influence is now being felt overseas as some Brits are looking to form Tea Parties. Whether it remains a player in the future is yet to be seen. If the Tea Party merges with the religious right, it will probably spell its end.

Ilya Kovalchuk: Just like the name.

San Francisco Giants: They barely made the playoffs and yet these refugees from the Island of Misfit Toys won the World Series.

Michael Vick: In 2010, redemption is spelled V-I-C-K.

Roy Halladay: Best season for a pitcher in a decade.

Sabermetricians: The geeks have finally conquered baseball. Until recently, it would have been unfathomable for a 13-12 pitcher to win a Cy Young Award. Sabermetrics provides NFL guys material to make fun of baseball with.

Drew Brees: Wins the Superbowl, saves New Orleans single handedly….For the record, I thought the Lions should have drafted him...

And the winner is….Drew Brees

All Time College Football Team: Defense & Special Teams

DE- Hugh Green-Pitt


DE- Bubba Smith- Michigan State

DE- Randy White- Maryland

DT- Ndamukong Suh- Nebraska

DT- Lee Roy Selmon- Oklahoma

DT- Rich Glover- Nebraska

DT- Steve Emtman- Washington

LB- Dick Butkis- Illinois

LB- Lawrence Taylor- North Carolina

LB- Chuck Bednarik- Penn

LB- George Connor- Notre Dame

DB- Jack Tatum-Ohio State

CB- Jamar Fletcher-Wisconsin

CB- Charles Woodson- Michigan

CB- Deion Sanders- Florida State

S- Ken Easley- UCLA

S- Ronnie Lott- USC

K- Bob Gain-Kentucky

KR- Raghib “Rocket” Ismail- Notre Dame

P/QB/DB - Sammy Baugh- TCU

Coach- Bear Bryant

All Time College Football Team: Offense

C- Dave Rimington C- Nebraska

OG- John Hannah-Alabama

OG- John Hicks- Ohio State

OT- Dan Dierdorf- Michigan

OT/DT- Bronko Nagurski-Minnesota

OT- Orlando Pace- Ohio State

OT- Bill Fralic- Pitt

QB- Tim Tebow- Florida

QB- Roger Staubach- Navy

QB- John Elway-Stanford

RB- Herschel Walker- Georgia

RB- Bo Jackson-Auburn

RB- Doak Walker- SMU

RB- Glenn Davis- Army

RB- Barry Sanders- Oklahoma State

RB- Red Grange-Illinois

RB- Jim Thorpe- Carlisle

RB- George Gipp- Notre Dame

RB- Archie Griffin- Ohio State

RB- Tom Harmon- Michigan

FB- Doc Blanchard-Army

FB- Ernie Nevers- Stanford

FB- Elmer Oliphant- Army

WR- Desmond Howard-Michigan

WR- Tim Brown-Notre Dame

WR- Johnny Rodgers- Nebraska

WR- Anthony Carter- Michigan

TE- Leon Hart-Notre Dame

TE- Bennie Oosterbaan- Michigan

TE- Keith Jackson-Oklahoma