The Automatic Pistol

The picture on the previous post was Pete Maravich about to score on a way out of defensive position Walt Frazier.

Now Frazier is a hero for life from where I sit on the Stoop. His legacy is beyond the reach of anyone attempting to tarnish it.

But the picture did bring back a awful childhood memory: the night the Pistol shot up the Knicks for 68 points.

It was a Friday night. I saw the whole thing on television (channel 9). Remember, back then, in Brooklyn, only Knick road games were televised, and only some of them actually were. That's why, for Knick fans old enough to remember, when the playoffs started, and the games would be televised nationally, you got to see the Knicks play at home and it was an enormous thrill to see them on television in the home white uniforms.

Anyway, this Friday night, the Pistol was unstoppable. Jump shots, drives, left- handed shots, right-handed hook shots, one shot where he just said "f*ck it everything else has been too easy," so Pistol just flung the ball over his head while not facing the basket. I will let you guess whether it went in or not. He also pulled a Meadowlark Lemon in this game by being ahead of the field and right when he was going to take a layup, he stopped short and let the defender fly by and then gently layed the ball in the basket.

First Frazier tried to cover Pistol. Then Meminger. The Pearl had a brief twirl. Than Tickey (Beast of) Burden. Then Butch Beard, who grew one in an attempt to not get recognized from the abuse Pistol dished out.

As a 10 year- old kid, it was traumatic to see my guy (Clyde) and my team (NY Knicks) being abused by Pistol. The only thing that would be as scary nowadays would be if a young child stumbled upon Olbermann & Madow babbling away.

Anyway, two things stand out in memory: (1) Pistol scored 68 points and there was NO THREE POINT rule in the NBA in 1977; and (2) Pistol fouled out with two offensive fouls in the last couple of minutes.

Pistol Pete tragically passed away 20 years ago. But he lives on, especially to anyone who watched him on that night of nights.

Below is a link where you can see each of Pistols 68 points.

Pistol Pete MARAVICH 68 Point Game Shot-by-Shot

Behind The Masks

Since today is Halloween, its as good a time as any to compare/contrast the two biggest masqueraders in recent American History: Bill Clinton & Barack Obama.

They are similar in that they both present a false face to the public. They are also similar in that they both have a hard time faking a respect for all things concerning the U.S. military. (How shameful is it that recent logs show that Obama has talked more to George "I don't have a" Clooney & Oprah than General McCrystal?)

But there is a big difference between these two mask-wearers: Clinton tried hard to convince the American people that he had a set of beliefs that he would use to govern-when nothing could be further from the truth- while Obama wears an opposite mask; he has a fully formed political ideology/belief system but he tries very hard to not let the American people know that he has one, never mind letting them know what that belief system is.

First, lets briefly examine Bill Clinton. He worked his ass off like a Glenn Gary Glenn Ross real estate salesman all in an effort to make people think that he cared about them and would enact government programs to help the American people. But the man was concerned with only one thing: what's best for Bill Clinton. That's why he could be all things to all people. That's why he could sign the In Defense of Marriage Act as President and advocate for gay marriage as an Ex-President.

If you don't believe me than please explain: how could the same man celebrate Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Flag Day while in the Arkansas Governor's Mansion and then later on open his office in Harlem? The man has no core values. None.

Obama has something quite opposite to hide: that he is man of the hard-left; a socialist to the core who wants government involvement in as many aspects of American life as possible.

But he knows that Americans are way too independent to eat off of that menu; therefore, he does his best to hide it. And hide it well.

That's why he campaigned as a man of the center, that's why he even faked saying that he wanted to fight a more aggressive war in Afghanistan.

You know how in basketball, you are taught to play defense by looking at his abdomen? The idea is by doing so, you will not fall for ball fakes, head fakes etc. And you will tell exactly where the offensive player wants to go by watching his midsection.

For politicians, a similar rule is don't pay attention to what they say, look at what they do and what they've done. If you do that with Obama, what other conclusion could you come up with?

From starting his political career by raising cash in the living room of a domestic terrorist (Bill Ayers), to worshipping at the altar of the American hater extraordinaire Reverend Wright, to the appointment of Mao-lovers as czars, to nationalizing auto & banks, what other rational conclusion is there?

If you just listened to Obama, and used the TelePrompter- fed words to describe his politics, you would be more faked out than a middle-aged over weight man trying to guard Pistol Pete Maravich.

So there you have it: the Bill & Barry Masquerade Ball that has fooled millions.

But if they rang my bell on the Stoop today, they won't get no candy.

Cause I see right through their masks.

Quote of the Day

Just one year ago, would you have believed that an unelected government official, not even a Cabinet member confirmed by the Senate but simply one of the many "czars" appointed by the President, could arbitrarily cut the pay of executives in private businesses by 50 percent or 90 percent?

Did you think that another "czar" would be talking about restricting talk radio? That there would be plans afloat to subsidize newspapers-- that is, to create a situation where some newspapers' survival would depend on the government liking what they publish?-Thomas Sowell

Live Blogging World Series Game 2

7:30- Jay-Z and Alicia Keys perform a song I never heard of.... Alecia Keys is a really"big" star. The camera showed her from behind, for a second, I thought David Wells was back in the Stadium..... (That's a terrible joke, because she is very is very talented.... but it seems like Aretha is her idol in more ways than one.)



7:50- John Legend performs an OK National Anthem.... Think any Yankee fans will look for his plaque in Monument Park? I mean, he is a legend....



8:02- What is that thing around Burnett's neck? It looks like something you use to chain your bike to a pole......



8:05- Damon catches the third out and tosses the ball underhanded into the stands. Its about as far as he can throw....



8:10- Pedro strikes out as the tape recorded version of 200 year old Bob Shepard would say, " Shortstop No. 2 Derek Jeter, No. 2"



8:12- Pedro is Picasso and strikes out Damon.....



8:14- Text message: Teixeira pops up......



8:25- Ibanez (which is Spanish for "Yankee Killer") get a two out bloop double....



8:27- Matt Stairs took time out from his beer league softball game to stroke a single to left. Did Ibanez score? Damon is playing left, remember.....? 1-0 Philly...



8:33- McCarver says the crowd is very quiet... typical Yankee fans.....



8:36- Pedro gets A-Roid window shopping on a gorgeous breaking ball.... A-Roid is 0-for the Series.... Pressure is mounting ..... Yankee fans will turn on him soon if he doesn't break out....



8:42- Ibanez finds his inner-Swoboda and makes an awesome diving catch.....



8:45-Camera catches Mayor Rudy with his goofy Yankee/NYPD/FDNY hat... I hope some squegee guys delays his ride home.....



8:49- top of the third, Philly 1-0.... Think Joe Buck will invite Artie Lange into the booth....?



8:52- Rollins walks....and is taking a BIG lead......



8:56 Buck just said Victorino is a cliff diver, and has dived from 60 feet.... if he don't start hitting, he will turn Philly bettors into cliff jumpers.....



9:00 Molina digs a ball out of the dirt that would have popped up and hit Posada in the face....



9:05- Howard strikes out, leaving two stranded..... perhaps Obama can nationalize Howard as a windmill....?



9:08 Molina is up..... are there more Molina brothers in baseball or Wayans brothers on bad TV shows...?



9:09- Molina walks which is a shame because he couldn't get a hit if they put the ball on a tee....



9:15 - Jeter strikes out.... again...... Picasso has all his paints at his disposal....



9:21- lead off single for Werth.... time to put up a crooked number....



9:23- Molina earns his cash by picking Werth-less out at first.... Posada probably cursed when he saw that.....



9:24 Matt Stairs put down the 40 oz. long enough to fly out......



9:28-Teixeria goes yard..... tie score 1-1



9:29- A-Roid flys out and remains hitless for the Series....



9:31- Matsui walks..... Pedro got to bear down....



9:33- Cano for 5 (get it) in the Series as he pops up.....



9:34 Hairston caught lookin..... strikeout # 5 for Pedro



9: 41- Ruiz one out double to left.... maybe Damon should kick the ball back into the infield.... it may be faster.....



9:43- Joe Buck said a ball that almost hit Rollins was "just inside"... maybe he should borrow Joe Paterno's glasses....



9:45- Ruiz left stranded....



9:48- Melky Mantle whiffs....



9:51- two out double for Jeter



9:52- Damon pops up....... still tied 1-1 end of 5th



10:01- Philles go 1-2-3



10:02- I find these commercials with Chris Farley very creepy....



10:03- Yanks have the heart of the lineup coming up.....



10:05- Texiera strikes out VIVA PEDRO!!



10: 08- A-Fraud strikes out again..... He has the same number of hits as I do in the Series....



10:10- Matsui hits a cheapy home run in this shoebox of a park...... at Shea, the 2nd baseman would have caught it.... 2-1 Yankees, end of 6.......



10:19- Phillies go down like lambs in the 7th



10:19- Commercial for a movie where Morgan Freeman speaks with the worst South African accent ever..... he sounds like Joe Clark.....



10:31 Yankees have 1st & 3rd no outs.... Pedro removed... a cascade of boos.... Pedro cracks a smile...



10:34- Chan Ho Park replaces Pedro.... he has a beard now.... hope it helps him get outs....



10:36- Posada gets a pinch single, 3-1 Yankees



10:38: Jeter BUNTS WITH TWO STRIKES & STRIKES OUT... !!! Dumbest move since... can anyone remember...? (I know, you can't criticize him cause the Yankees won the World Series 9 years ago.)



10:42 double play baby....



10:48- Mariano starts the 8th....

Philles lose as Matt Stairs strikes out and then finishes the pastrami hero he ordered from Katz's during the game.

If You Thought Signing Mo Vaughn Was A Bad Decision.....

Never too Early for 2012......

If you ever pass by the Stoop, don't be surprised if one day you see a "Bachmann For President" sign. Who is she? That would be Michele Bachmann, a Congresswoman from Minnesota. Why her? She is a Conservative to her core, and was one of the few people willingly to speak out during the last Presidential campaign on the radical cabal now in the White House. Check out her speech on the House Floor below. In this speech, she uses the General Motors takeover by the Obama crowd to illustrate all that is wrong with the current administration.
We Now Have A Total Gangster Government
© 2009 YouTube, LLC 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

A Very Revealing Answer

I believe we get the real Obama in those rare unscripted TelePrompter-less moments. (By the way, with the amount of Maoists in his administration, I would not be shocked if the words on the teleprompter were written in perfect Mandarin.)

About two weeks ago, Obama made his first trip to New Orleans since he became President. He only stayed a couple hours, because the man of the people had a more important event to attend too later that day: a Democratic Party Fundraiser in the People's Republic of San Francisco.

Now here is where the unscripted moment comes in. To me, its the New Orleans version of the Joe the Plumber moment. It is a simple question from an American to his president:

"I expected as much from the Bush administration, but why are we still being nickeled and dimed in our recovery?" asked Gabriel Bordenave, 29, of New Orleans.

"I wish I could write a blank check," Obama replied, promoting Bordenave to shout back, "Why not?

Three Observations on the Question & Response

First, Obama implies that his hands are tied on this one. That he cannot do what he wants to do. Is he kidding? He has the Presidency, the House & the Senate. There is no government gridlock going on here. The American people tossed the keys to the car to the liberal politicians.

Now drive.

Second, the response "I wish I could write a blank check" is a peek into Obama's hopelessly liberal soul. What does it tell us? It tells us a lot. First, it says that money can solve any social problem. Just look at our rotten to the core public school systems and you will know it is not true. Second, it shows no planning, no growth, just throw money at the problem-community organizer style. What about tax incentives to get businesses to relocate to Nee Orleans and give the people some decent jobs? He says nothing about this. He is a spread the wealth man-never forget that. Finally, by saying he would issue a blank check, he shows that he has no respect for our tax dollars, or the deficit. A blank check? How irresponsible could a President be with the people's money?

And third, if this came up during the campaign, Obama's answer would have received tremendous scrutiny. And you know what would have happened? Gabriel Bordenave, the American who asked the question, would have had his life turned upside down by liberal rats going through his finances, his personal life, etc., all because he asked Obama a question. That alone will lead to a smear campaign, from the "right to privacy" cabal.

Nothing Wrong With The Truth

"It means a lot to him," Derek Jeter said. "He expects us to win." (Jeter commenting on the 2009 World Series.)

Someone has to explain something to me. The world knows that George Steinbrenner suffers from Alzheimer's. And it is sad. And for family members, it is heartbreaking.

So why does the Yankee organization pretend that he doesn't? They dance around it, say that he is not well, but they still issue statements allegedly from George.

There is nothing wrong with admitting someone has Alzheimer's. It afflicts millions of people.

Do they think because he owns the Yankees that somehow, there is this "captain of the ship" image to uphold, that revealing the fact that he as Alzheimer's tarnishes George?

I do think there is something to that. Steinbrenner spent his whole life dedicated to the following proposition: I AM IN CHARGE; I AM THE BOSS; and now, like the rest of us will at some point, he needs help. A lot of help.

So the Yankee organization would rather perpetuate a myth, which is George is still the Boss, than to simply acknowledge the fact that the man suffers from a devastating illness that can affect everyone from the guy who cleans the toilets at Yankee Stadium to the man who bought the team.

If a real boss, the leader of the free world, Ronald Reagan, could freely admit that he suffers from Alzheimer's, than why can't the Yankees admit the same about George?

At some point, image has to give way to reality.

Ronald Reagan's Letter to the American People

My Fellow Americans:

I have recently been told that I am one of the Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease.

Upon learning this news, Nancy & I had to decide whether as private citizens we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way.

In the past Nancy suffered from breast cancer and I had my cancer surgeries. We found through our open disclosures we were able to raise public awareness. We were happy that as a result many more people underwent testing. They were treated in early stages and able to return to normal, healthy lives.

So now, we feel it is important to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it.

At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life's journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters.

Unfortunately, as Alzheimer's Disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. When the time comes I am confident that with your help she will face it with faith and courage.

In closing let me thank you, the American people for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your President. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be I will face it with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.

I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead.

Thank you, my friends. May God always bless you.

Sincerely,


Ronald Reagan

Thoughts on the Muhammad & Larry Documentary

Great vintage footage of both training camps...... Ferdie Pacheco (Ali's doctor) emerges as a good guy for warning Ali to quit fighting and resigning from Ali's camp in 1977.... Angelo Dundee does not come off so good.... You get the sense that he willfully ignored all the warning signs (slurred speech, slowed reflexes).... By the way when did Angelo turn into Don Zimmer's twin.....? You could have put Angelo in the Yankee dugout next to Mr. Torre and Yankee fans would not tell the difference...... Larry Holmes comes off as a decent, well grounded family man..... Still married to Diane, for 30 plus years..... Loved Cosell's play by play, should have featured more of it... Is it me, or did Ali have men massaging him with black goo 24/7 while in training camp....? looked like something out of the Exxon Valdez.... could all of that oil seeped into his brain causing damage...? the sparring sessions in Ali's camp looked like Oldtimers day at Yankee Stadium, when they have to help the real old guys up the steps in the dugout..... meanwhile, the sparring sessions in Holmes' camp had punches thrown at the speed of light..... I think the special should have featured how awesome Larry Holmes was at throwing the jab..... priceless scene: Ali doing magic tricks for some young women, and his wife shows up to spoil the fun ... probably the most memorable scene was Ali not being able to hit the speed bag.... glad I watched it.

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When The Garden Was Smoking

The NBA opens its season tomorrow, and the Stoop will be watching the Nets closely this year. While they won't contend for the championship, the Net roster is filled with young players with a lot of upside. Memo to Coach Frank: Let these young colts run.

The start of the season also coincides with the release of Bill Simmons' "The Book of Basketball". I read the excerpts on ESPN.com, and can't wait to buy it TODAY.

As for the Knicks, they will suck. (I just copy and pasted the last sentence from my last 8 years of Knick season predictions.) Even worse, they have no number one pick next year. Why? Isiah traded it in the Marbury trade 5 years ago! The harm Isiah has caused the Knicks is like one of those crazy bullets that break up and spread once it gets in your body. And Knick fans, Lebron ain't coming to your team next year. The Liberty have a better chance of landing Lebron than the Knicks.

Speaking of Knick number one picks, the last time that they drafted anyone decent was in 1987 and '88 with Mark Jackson followed by Rod Strickland.

Now in '87, Jackson was the local kid who thrived in Rick Pitino's uptempo style, and he won rookie of the year.

The next year, the Knicks drafted Strickland, another point guard, but with a different game (more of a scorer) and many people thought Strickland should start.

So the controversy was on: Jackson vs. Strickland.

Everyone took sides.

During the controversy, a couple of my Stoop pals were big Knick fans and used to hang around the players entrance to the Garden. Let's say that these guys were way ahead of California when it comes to medical marijuana.

One day, while these Stoop pioneers were hanging at the Garden wearing their smoking jackets, who strolls up to them on his way to work: the one and only Rod Strickland.

By all accounts Strickland was very kind, there were high-fives all around, and Strickland turned down an offer to self-medicate.

After Strickland continued on his way to the player's entrance, one of the fellas had an important message that he wanted to convey to Strickland.

"Yo Rod!", he yelled, and Strickland turned around. "F*ck Mark Jackson!"

That Garden is gone for good.

A Moron and a Man of the Cloth

Ted Kennedy may be dead, but his legacy of making idiotic statements live on through his son Patrick, who is a Rhode Island Congressman.

Here is Patrick commenting on the Catholic Church's position of opposing any Health Care bill that would use tax dollars for abortions:

"I can’t understand for the life of me how the Catholic Church could be against the biggest social justice issue of our time where the very dignity of the human person is being respected by the fact that we’re caring and giving health care to the human person – that right now we have 50 million people who are uninsured. You mean to tell me the Catholic Church is going to be denying those people life saving health care? I thought they were pro-life. If the church is pro-life, then they ought to be for health care reform because it’s going to provide health care that are going to keep people alive. So this is an absolute red herring and I don’t think that it does anything but to fan the flames of dissent and discord and I don’t think it’s productive at all."

Rhode Island bishop, Thomas J. Tobin, responds to Kennedy's statement:

“Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s statement about the Catholic Church’s position on health care reform is irresponsible and ignorant of the facts. But the Congressman is correct in stating that “he can’t understand.” He got that part right.

As I wrote to Congressman Kennedy and other members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation recently, the Bishops of the United States are indeed in favor of comprehensive health care reform and have been for many years. But we are adamantly opposed to health care legislation that threatens the life of unborn children, requires taxpayers to pay for abortion, rations health care, or compromises the conscience of individuals.

Congressman Kennedy continues to be a disappointment to the Catholic Church and to the citizens of the State of Rhode Island. I believe the Congressman owes us an apology for his irresponsible comments. It is my fervent hope and prayer that he will find a way to provide more effective and morally responsible leadership for our state.”

Is there a patron saint for brain dead trust fund babies? Or is that covered by the patron saint of lost causes?

I'll Take Solace

After a dreadful weekend where my beloved Giants collapsed and the hated Yankees prevailed, the Stoop will take comfort in the ESPN "30 for 30" documentary tomorrow night on the Larry Holmes ass-beatin of Muhammad Ali in October 1980.

Here is the setting: Larry Holmes is the champ, and in the prime of his career. Ali is a washed up, already brain-damaged fighter who hasn't fought in two years and is in desperate need of cash.

Sounds like a fair fight to me.

Truth be known, Holmes knew years before the fight that he could beat Ali. He was Ali's sparring partner and must have sparred over 100 rounds with him.

During training, Ali started taking diet pills and amphetamines to lose weight. Which he did. He came in lighter for the Holmes fight than he did for any fight since he fought Foreman six years prior.

By losing the weight, the public and the sporting press (which were always members of the Ali fan club) bought into the illusion that Ali could beat Holmes.

And even worse, Ali himself believed it. (Which is even further evidence that the man was already severely brain-damaged.)

We all know what happened during the fight: Holmes scrambled the few uncracked eggs that Ali had left.

The fight went 10 rounds, each easily won by Holmes, when Angelo Dundee threw in the towel with Ali sitting on his stool.

As much as Holmes administered a beat-down to Ali, he actually pulled a lot of punches and wanted the ref to stop the fight much earlier.

By doing so, Larry showed Ali the mercy that Ali never showed fighters like Floyd Patterson and Ernie Terrell, who Ali admittedly did not knock out sooner because he wanted to inflict savage punishment to each of these men.

But then again, Larry Holmes has class and dignity, and has a history of helping boxers in need.

I am glad that this fight is finally getting the coverage it deserves. For many years, the sporting press has treated this fight the way the news media treats the 9-11 video footage: as too disturbing to see.

Here's hoping the documentary gives Larry Holmes the credit he deserves. (I don't expect it to show the real Ali.)

And here's hoping the great Joe Frazier is watching, and has a smile that won't go away every time Larry Holmes throws his jab.

Quote of the Day

When in doubt, turn to Lincoln. Our greatest President gave us the advice below. It's a great blueprint for governing. Too bad Obama not only does not follow it, he actually goes against it:

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot further the brotherhood of many by encouraging class hatred. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves."
- Abraham Lincoln

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Not So Co-Operative

Below is a NYT article on something I have long been curious about: The Park Slope Food Co-op.

The Co-op has been around for a long time. The Premise: Only members can shop there. And they receive a discount on the products. But in return, members have to work a certain number of hours at the Co-op.

Sounds great, right? For those into the whole communal hippie thing, you get to have your wheat germ and eat it to-at a lower price.

But alas, hippie heaven cannot be found in the organic baby spinach aisle. And Nirvana is just a rock band with a junkie lead singer who killed himself.

It turns out the rules of the Co-op are draconian. For instance, if you are married your spouse is expected to work at the Co-op even if he/she does not join. In fact all adult members of a household are expected to work at the Co-op, even if only one family member joins. If those household members decide not to work at the Co-op, the one member who joined the Co-op must cover an additional shift of Co-op work for each adult member of the household.

Before you know it, you have a full time second job all because you cared about a chicken's quality of life before it was sent to the slaughterhouse.

The result: Lots of turnover in membership.

Uncle Joe Stalin never said it would be this way.

See you at Costco.

Flunking Out at the Food Co-op

Get Yer Tickets

The Michael Jackson movie "This Is It" is being released nationwide on Wednesday. While the Motion Picture Association has issued no specific rating, boys under 14 who are accompanied by men who are not their fathers will not be admitted.

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When The Doctor Says Inhale.....

Earlier this week, the Obama Administration asked federal prosecutors to not pursue medical marijuana cases in states that have legalized medical marijuana use.

I tried to reach Cheech & Chong for comment, but they both had doctor's appointments.

If They Only Had A Brain

"Democrats are an opinionated bunch. You know, the other side, they just kinda sometimes do what they're told. Democrats, y'all thinkin' for yourselves." President Obama @ a NYC fundraiser 10-21-09

I love it. The Prez said Democrats "think for themselves"? Is he smoking pot again? Someone must check this man's cigarettes. He might be stuffin it with some wacky tobaccy.

Truth be known, I was going to write a book about the mind of the average liberal Democrat. I was going to call the book "An Idiot's Guide To Being An Idiot" But once I started analyzing it, I quickly realized that a book would be a way to long a format to discuss such a simple and closed-minded subject. In fact, everything you ever wanted to know about the average liberals mind could be scrawled on a bathroom wall.

OK. Here it is. (I was going to say "In a nutshell" but again, the entire analysis is smaller than a nutshell.)

Inside The (Closed) Liberal Mind

I've long- been convinced that a lot of American liberals vote the way they do and take the positions they way they do because of a misguided attempt to feel good about themselves. "Look at me, I am virtuous because I support x." (If you took a picture of yourself voting for Obama and posted it on Facebook, don't worry, I am not talking about you.)

The liberal mind does not analyze individual issues on a case by case basis. There is a formula they use to do the thinking for them. It is old and tired. But here it is:

Basically, liberals feel whoever has the most perceived power in any situation is wrong. Just has to be wrong. That is the liberal model. They see just about every issue through that narrow, skinnier than a supermodel prism.

That means corporations are always wrong when it comes to disputes with individuals. That means labor unions are always right in disputes with corporations or local governments. That means Israel is always wrong visa vie the PLO. And of course, the grand daddy of them all, the U.S. use of military force is always wrong. Your talking the most powerful country using its most powerful weapon. That's an easy one for a liberal. Sort of like a no-brainer for the no brain user.

Every issue gets put through the equation. Oil drilling in Alaska? Who has more power, the Alaskan seal or the Alaskan voter? You see how easy it is? You put the issue through the equation, it spits out the answer, and before you know it, you're riding the subway with a "Save The Alaskan Seal" button attached to your knapsack that is filled with Noam Chomsky books that you somehow NEVER get to finish.

In using the formula, the tired and worn-out simpleton's formula, you will see why liberals are the "Quadruple A" party:

Abortion

Affirmative Action

Anal Rights

Anti-Military

When it comes to diversity of ideas, and thinking for yourself, the Democratic Party is a small tent party. Very small. If you deviate just slightly, and think for yourself and don't use the formula, you will find yourself very quickly outside the tent.

Why is that? Because although the tent is very small, it is extremely crowded. Anyone can join. They don't check your ID. That would be too intimidating. And once you come in, you get to use the formula all the time, you get hooked up with welfare, health care, and spread the wealth stimulus cash, you get to sit during the National Anthem and pretend that it is a noble thing to do, you can start the next ACORN and earn your stripes as a community organizer, because, you know, you really care about people, and we should all know that, and as a final perk, you get to go to all the anti-war rallies that your bleeding liberal heart desires.

But there is only one requirement to getting in the tent.

You have to leave your brain at the door.

The Preacher vs. The Pundit

The Reverend Al and Patrick J. Buchanan debate Rush Limbaugh being black balled from the NFL based on statements that he did not say.

There is one debate that I have been searching for and have not been able to find. It was the Panama Canal debate in the 1970's (whether we should turn the Canal over to Panama).

One one side you had William F. Buckely and George Will. On the other side, you had Ronald Reagan and Pat Buchanan.

Reagan & Buchanan's position was that America should always control the Canal.

If I ever find it, I promise to make it Stoop viewing.

© 2009 YouTube, LLC 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

He Nails It

Below is a letter to the Wall Street Journal written two days ago. It is a great analysis of the implications of letting the federal government have the power to control private sector salaries.

Here goes:

To those who would defend the government's ability, justification and right to negate Ken Lewis's contract and hijack his pay ("The Fall Guy," Review & Outlook, Oct. 2), I offer a John Adams quote found in David McCullough's book "John Adams." Adams stopped at a tavern for lodging. He happened to overhear several locals discussing British actions regarding taxation. One man says to the rest, ". . . if Parliament can take away Mr. Hancock's wharf and Mr. Row's wharf, they can take away your barn and my house."

Mr. Lewis might already be considered rich, as was Mr. Hancock, and the amount of severance may seem to be outrageous, but to you supporters of this confiscation I ask: If you grant the federal government's pay czar the power to confiscate or alter the pay of 175 Americans today, whose barn or house is next?

A Flagrant Disregard (Continues)

You have to give Obama credit for audacity. Two days ago, he went to Wall Street to raise boat loads of cabbage for his reelection. The next day, he announces severe salary cuts for several firms that took bailout money. (See Link below.) We here at the Stoop have long been on the record that the Obama administration has NO RESPECT for the property & contract rights that Americans ARE GUARANTEED in the CONSTITUTION. (See: How Does Your Salary Cap Fit?)

I can't believe that this fundamental issue has received so little coverage and/or outrage.

Administration plans big pay cuts at bailout firms...

Alex Baldman- March 2009 on the AIG Bonuses:

The Unlawful Shakedown
Section 10. No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility-United States Constitution Article 1 Section 10

In October, I wrote that I would vote no on the bailouts. Let these companies die a natural death. But our government decided differently. And we live with the daily damage.

Which brings me to the AIG bonus/retention payments issue. These American citizens entered into a valid contract with AIG. When the American government decided to bailout AIG, it decided to honor AIG's contractual obligations,which clearly include these bonus payments.

Government has no power to unilaterally alter, impair,or materially change the terms of a valid contracts freely entered into by American citizens.

Its in the constitution. (See above.) The founding fathers knew that if the government had the power to alter contracts it would lead to tyranny. Why would anyone enter into a contract with an American or an American company when the U.S. Government could wave a magic wand and make the contract disappear?

Nor can our government pass an ex post facto law to target a select few American citizens and make them pay 90% of their earnings in taxes like our Congress is doing with these Americans that work for AIG. It's clearly unconstitutional, see Article 10 above.

Say you sold your house or business. As part of the sale, you pay the federal capital gains tax,say 15%. When you enter into the sale, you know what the existing capital gains tax is,and you factor it into the price you want to receive for your house or business. You know what the existing capital gains tax is by researching the existing capital gains tax laws. Now suppose after the sale, you pay the 15%,and the government comes along and says, we increased the capital gains tax to 90%. The law is retroactive. You owe Uncle Sam under $300,.000.

Think the government can do that to you? Off course they can't. Then why do most people think they can do it to Americans that work for AIG?

My friends, the AIG shakedown of the bonus money by our government is shameful. It is an unlawful confiscation of property owned by American citizens. It also sets a dangerous precedent. Lydon Johnson called it "breaking the virginity"- once the government does something for the first time,it makes it easier to do again and again.

We live in a scary time,where the powers that be have no respect for the basic civil rights of American citizens. The President, the Congress and the Senate regard your property as something they can take away from you with no due process of law. And don't look for the ACLU to weigh in on this,which is why when people refer to the ACLU as the protector of civil rights, I shake my head in dismay.

Listen, I know AIG employees are not the most popular people in America. But the fact is our constitutional protections apply to all American citizens,regardless of popularity or the amount of money they make.

First Time, Long Time

While not exactly Dean & Jerry being united by Sinatra, Mike & the Mad Dog reunited for one day last Friday by appearing on each others show. It was like they never left. The chemistry was immediate, it was lively, and above else, they held the attention of the listener. (Favorite dog ALL TIME Dog moment: when Sports Illustrated gave Lance Armstrong its Sportsman of the Year Award, the Dog Yelped: "MIKE, YOU CAN'T GIVE THE AWARD TO A GUY WHO BIKE RIDES THROUGH EUROPE!! Another great Dog moment: his classic rant against PacMan Jones: GET HIM OUT!! )

Mike & the Mad Dog are on the list of my favorite radio talk shows of all time. Here are some others, in no particular order:

Bob Grant

The Godfather of political talk radio. The OC: Original Conservative. In the 70's, Bob was the voice of reason on the airwaves. He railed against big government, toxic liberalism and the welfare state when current radio hosts were in diapers. Great callers like Jimmy from Brooklyn and the incomparable Vintage Frank. With Mr. Grant, a caller never knew what he was going to get. Bob could be receptive to caller, and then turn on him in mid call. Awesome. Liberals got him fired a couple of times, because that is what they do when they don't like your point of view, but Mr. Grant has always picked himself up and come back better than ever. A true master behind the mic.

Howard Stern

When I started listening to Howard, he was in his 20's. He is now in his mid-fifties. The key to Howard's appeal is twofold: (1) he makes his seemingly mundane life entertaining as hell; and (2) his sense of timing is impeccable, he knows just how to milk just enough from a bit, and when to move on. In addition, Howard is an interviewer without peer. Listen to his interviews with Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder, these guys have done trillions of interviews, and yet Howard was able to get them to say stuff that no other interviewer could get. Remember when Howard ran for governor? He ran on three issues: (1) the death penalty; (2) the removal of toll booths; and (3) road construction should only be done at night. He eventually dropped out, but when Pataki beat Cuomo, the new governor had him up on the podium on inauguration day. Love his comments when Robin does the news; his never-ending attacks on Baba Booey, and his broadcast of prank phone calls.

Michael Savage

The greatest monologist of them all. He can talk about pasta, weave it into the a discussion about immigration, or plants from the Fiji Islands, and wind up talking about Marxism. Combines intelligence and entertainment in a way that makes him a true original.

Art Rust Jr.

The true pioneer in sports talk. Had a show on WABC in the late 70's and early eighties. Loved boxing, and treated callers with dignity and respect. The one show that a called several times.

Steve Malzberg

A master with audio tapes. Catches liberals in contradictions time after time. A hard hitting conservative, he tells it like it is.

Lionel

The only liberal talkie to make it. Why: he is entertaining.

It Should Be Called Bruno Magli Stadium

Here is a great letter, written to Newsday, regarding that glorified shoe box in the Bronx, (aka the House That Balco Built):

"What happens in Yankee Stadium when the umpire calls the batter out under the infield fly rule and the ball sails over the rightfield fence?"

More Red

As you may know, Bill Walton's son, Luke, is a member of the 2009 NBA champion Los Angles Lakers. Luke is named after Bill Walton's teammate on the 1977 NBA champion Portland Trail Blazers-Maurice Lucas.

After the Lakers won the championship in June, Papa Bill Walton wrote a lovely letter to his son telling him how proud he is of him.

But Walton being Walton, could not help compare his son's Lakers to his very own Trail Blazers.

Check it out:

Luke, you mentioned the historical reference to your team's abilities. When you get to be my age, trash talking is about all that's left. I fully admit, Luke, that your team is really, really good. Kobe is supreme. Pau, Lamar and Andrew are all top of the line. And Phil Jackson is brilliant.

Right next to your smile on my spirit and soul are the immortal words of Jack Ramsay, who recently said on the 30th anniversary of the 1977 World Champion Blazers in putting that team's abilities in historical context:

"I like our team. We'll take our chances. Anywhere. Anytime. Against anybody."

Blazers in four, Luke. Never forget why you are named after Maurice Lucas.

Love, Dad

Grateful Red

I have always admired athletes that combine two separate and distinct behaviours that would not figure would mesh together. Let me give you an example. Giant Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson was as tough as any man could be. He would inflict punishment, and take it as well. The violent collisions that are a football player's life throughout high school, college and the pros make brutality a way of life. And its a hard thing to turn off. But not for Harry. He was always a gentle soul before and after games and has remained that way in the twenty one years since his retirement.

Another athlete that I admired for being able to navigate the fine line between seemly opposite behaviours is Bill Walton. Now a lot of you may only know him as an announcer, and you may not like the way he broadcasts.

But I am talking about this Bill Walton: the magnificent basketball player who was also a Dead-Head long haired flower child of the early '70's. He did both. At the same time.

Now college and professional basketball, at its highest competitive levels, do not naturally mesh with the hippie commune lifestyle, you don't expect a pot smoking hippie who attended over 800 Dead shows to be one of the greatest centers who ever lived.

But Walton pulled it off.

How was he able to do both? I believe that in his mind to be a member of a great team was an extension of his hippie "peace and love" lifestyle. By putting the emphasis on team, it became the ultimate communal experience for Walton.

Winning championships with UCLA, the Trail Blazers & the Celtics were the ultimate high- a hippie nirvana.

There is something else that in my mind, separates Walton out from every great team athlete who ever lived. When athletes are on the downside of their careers, they all say "I just want to do what's best for the team." Its all B.S. They still want to be treated like they're the man, and as such, they want the money and the minutes.

Walton was different. In 1986, after countless operations, Walton signed with the Celtics. He ended up winning the 6th man of the year award, giving Bird, McHale & Parish much needed rest. But he would have been just as happy if all he was asked to do was to be the water boy.

The 1986 Celtics, who won the NBA championship, gave Walton another chance to part of a selfless unit, that put the team ahead of individual glory, and Walton loved every minute of it.

Think about it: how many athletes after accomplishing what Walton did (multiple NCAA championships, an NBA championship and an MVP award) would be satisfied with wiping Kevin McHale's brow?

Only Walton. Why? Because he lived for being part of something bigger and more meaningful than just individual glory.

Now there is one last thing that I admire about Walton, and that's the love and admiration he continually shows for his college coach, John Wooden.

What an Odd Couple they made! One was a hippie radical, the other, a Midwestern square born in 1910.

The lessons Walton learned from Coach Wooden continue to inform his life.

Last week was Coach Wooden's 99th birthday. Below is a letter that Walton wrote to his Coach to commemorate such a happy occasion.

The letter is pure Walton: full of thanks and lessons learned, memories of UCLA days gone by, love, humor and admiration, and of course, Walton being Walton, two gifts for the old coach: the latest Bob Dylan & Neil Young albums.

When I read the letter, I came away thinking that no other athlete could have or would have written it.

Dear Coach Wooden:

My name is Bill Walton and I used to play for you so many years ago that I have lost track of the count.

I wanted to write and wish you the happiest of birthdays as you hit # 99 this year. Go for it all, Coach. You deserve the best and so much more. Bask in the glory and bathe yourself in the kindness and glowing warmth that is always coming your way.

I’m sorry that I have not been a better friend to you over all these years, Coach. You have always treated me with dignity, respect, compassion and concern. You treated me better than I deserved. I only wish that I had had the sense to reciprocate.

I miss you more than ever, Coach. I miss the phone calls from the road where you would share all the wonderful lessons of life, love and traveling about this great land of ours. I particularly remember your tales of growing up back on the farm with Abe Lincoln and the regrets and disappointments that you had when your dad, Joshua, wouldn’t let you go with Lewis and Clark when they stopped by looking for one more good man on their way to the promised land down the Ohio River back in the day.

I have also missed the visits in your home office, Coach. Say, did you ever, as I begged, take that framed letter from Richard Nixon down from the wall over the chair where I liked to sit and dream about how wonderful things could be. But it was just so tough to get in the right frame of mind in the shadow of such darkness. Please let me know if it’s down now so that I know that it’s safe to come over.

It is so neat that your birthday always immediately precedes the start of the basketball season—sort of the natural progression of things, I guess. Cake, song and laughter one day, practice the next. I remember vividly a couple of your recent birthday parties that I was most fortunate to be able to attend. I am well aware that you don’t much care for this sort of thing---with all the attention and focus on you-- but the time at VIPS when Jamaal Wilkes had the birthday hat and party favors, and you got up to leave early because you were so embarrassed. We were gratefully able to drag you back to the breakfast table that day when we convinced you that if Jamal had a hat on and was blowing a horn in the restaurant while we all sang Happy Birthday that it had to be all about the love that we have for you.

And then the time that all the guys had the birthday party for you up at Andy Hill’s house. We know that you really didn’t want to come---that you were busy and tired even though it’s just a few short miles from your Mansion on Margate. When you finally did arrive we were all so excited, lucky and privileged. Andy and Kenny Heitz put a photo album together—it is so cool, oh, the memories. I look at it every day, Coach, and it always brings such a smile and glow to my soul.

Those were such terrific days and times, Coach. I miss them as I do you. I haven’t been able, like Larry Holyfield with his recent stroke, to get out much lately. But I’m trying with everything that I have. And I think that I’m now going to make it and that better tomorrows are finally and thankfully on the way.

I wanted to send you these two birthday gifts, Coach, even though it’s not your nature to accept anything from others. But please, these are really cool. I tried to reach out to your assistant but then I remembered that you don’t have one. I wanted to email you but then I recalled that you don’t do that. I wanted to call you on your cell phone but then I realized that you don’t have one. And I wanted to get these presents to you so that you could play them on your iPod, never thinking that you don’t have one of those either.

So I guess this is the only way to get these special offerings to you. The first is the newest Bob Dylan CD, TOGETHER THROUGH LIFE. The second is Neil Young’s most recent music, FORK IN THE ROAD.

I know it’s not the Mills Brothers, Coach, and I remember how they wouldn’t stop playing on your wedding night with Nellie when you had more on your mind that I can even imagine. But these will more than do the job—I promise.
Coach, you gave us everything in your life that you had, including the gift of life itself. You always made it so much fun, it was always such a joyous celebration with you. And we want that celebration to roll on forever.

And now that you are approaching middle age I think that it is about time that you start letting other people do something nice for you. As I have gotten older, Coach, and have been fighting some tough battles of my own recently, a good friend who’s been down this road before told me to take each day as it comes---making it your masterpiece—and that it’s OK to allow people to help you.

The best way I know to help, Coach, reluctantly accepting that I can’t get physically close enough to make a difference, is to give you this gift of music.

In TOGETHER THROUGH LIFE, Coach, our friend, Bob, has some fantastic things to say here, like Beyond Here Lies Nothin’, and Life Is Hard. In If You Ever Go to Houston you’ll probably be reminded of the game in the Astrodome in 1968. There’s lots of other great stuff like Jolene, a love song about you and Nell, Shake Shake Mama, which I’ll let you figure out, and the closer, It’s All Good—when it’s not---REALLY.

But the ones that I really think you’ll particularly enjoy are This Dream of You and I Feel A Change Comin’ On. Coach, Bob wrote these songs specifically for you so please give them a chance---they get better and better each time through. And like you, the closer you look and listen the more you’ll find in there.

And now on to Neil’s blast, FORK IN THE ROAD. Oh My !!!!! There is so much great stuff in this one as Neil just takes off and never lifts his foot from the pedal. WOW !!!!! You’ll love this.

When Neil tells us that Just Singin’ A Song won’t change the world I drift and dream back to our days together when you would get so mad at me about EVERYTHING.

Johnny Magic, believe it or not, Coach, is only tangentially related to you, but the melody is incredible and I know that you have special memories of parts of Kansas---although I can’t really remember if Wichita is the reason why.
The title song, Fork In The Road, is a classic anthem for the ages, Coach, so put your dancin’ shoes on, turn it up and hold on.

But lean in and listen real close to the second to the last cut, Light A Candle---because that is what you did for us, Coach. Neil’s incandescent refrain here captures your true essence. You are amazing in so many ways, Coach, because even as you have moved through life you have always remained true to your words---as hard as they were for us to understand much less implement in our own small lives . You have lived the life of a great master, where principle is spelled with an "e" and love is indeed the most important word in our language.

So check it out, Coach---Light A Candle. The verse goes something like, "instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle for where we’re going, there’s something ahead worth looking for".

We're looking forward to this 99th birthday, Coach, and many, many more.

I do hope that you do receive these gifts of love and life, that you accept them in the spirit that they are given and that this whole package gets by the gatekeeper and thought police.

With eternal gratitude, respect, appreciation and admiration, Coach, please know in your heart that our love for you will never fade away.

Thanks for EVERYTHING, Coach, I love you, and I’m sorry.

With endless and unconditional love, Bill Walton UCLA 1974.

It's News To Me

I was watching the Sunday talk shows and the President sent his minions (Emanuel, Axelrod, etc.) to communicate a vital message. Was the message about the two wars? Nah. It must have been about health care , right? I mean, the President and his advisers have given more speeches on health care than Springsteen has sang Thunder Road in the Meadowlands. No it wasn't about health care. Nor was it about the out of control unemployment rate, the dollar dropping lower than a midget limbo dance champion, or a host of other vital issues.

Instead, the message was this: the administration went on all the networks (except Fox) to say: you guys deliver real news; and Fox is not a legitimate news organization.

The White House must have an unusual definition of news. To me, news is something new, that I did not know, that is relevant.

For instance, to most networks, (except Fox) ACORN was something that fell off trees. But on Fox, I learned about the systemic corruption from this "community organizing group" that illegally registers ineligible voters and was even willing to provide government subsidies to a group that told ACORN that it engaged in under aged prostitution. You see, that was news to me. And it was relevant.

It was on FOX that I learned about the ACLU rats that are photographing CIA members and then showing those pics to terrorists in Gitmo. I considered that real news.

It was on Fox that I learned about Obama's school security czar. And how this man, when told by an under aged boy that he had sex with a man in a bus station, he advised the kid on the merits of condoms. I found that very relevant. And newsworthy. Don't hold your breath expecting Katie Couric to tell you about it.

How bout Van Jones? The former green czar for Obama? Why is he a former green czar? Because Fox exposed him as a Marxist who signed onto the whacked out "President Bush is responsible for 9-11" petition. The New York Times, their first story on Jones appeared after Jones was fired. Please explain it to a simple person like me: If the Fox News stories about Van Jones were not news, than why did the White House get rid of him? If the stories were lies, the White House presumably would have refuted them, right? If the charges were not newsworthy the White House would have yawned. Instead, they added Jones to the unemployment rolls.

These are just a few of hundreds of recent examples of news stories Fox has reported and that the main stream media has gone in the tank on.

That's why it is over for them. Their ratings are lower than Daniel Simpson Day's GPA. I could yell out my window and it would reach more people than MSNBC's prime time audience.

As for the New York Times, they just had to borrow some serious cake from a Mexican billionaire just to stay solvent. Its over Johnny.

Now to be fair, you should watch CNN if someone like Merv Griffin dies and his real and imagined Hollywood friends gather around Larry King telling stories.

What does the Manson Family, hockey fans, and MSNBC viewers have in common? There are not many of each, but their followers are rabidly devoted.

The credibility of the major networks as news organizations is so low, Fox could broadcast the Christmas yule log and still double the audience of CNN (Commie News Network) & MSNBC (Mostly Showing Nothing But Commies).

But ain't it good to know that the President thinks he can decide what is a legitimate news organization and what is not?

Look-A-Likes

CHARLES MANSON & JOHNNY DAMON

They Look Like Each Other

TIM McCARVER & HUEY LEWIS

No One Could Ever Handle The Truth

Peter Vecsey yesterday provided some wonderful stories about Walter Berry (Link below.). If there was a more unstoppable college basketball player over the last 25 years, please tell me what I missed. Maybe Coach Roberts could have Walter teach some of SJU's big men the art of playing with your back to the basket?

There's only one Truth

This Is How You Do It

Normandy Speech: Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, D-Day 6/6/84 President Reagan's Address at the Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, D-day at Point-du-Hoc - 6/6/84. Remember when American President's would actually praise America when giving speeches on foreign soil? If you need a feel-good reminder, look no further than Ronald Reagan's speech above.
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Rushing To Sack Limbaugh

Some thoughts on the NFL denying Rush Limbaugh's attempt to be part of an ownership group:

Don't Understand

Say I woke up and read the paper and the headline said "Olbermann, Maher & Moore to Buy NFL Franchise". Now these men go to the left more often than Bernard King on a fast break (with apologies to Bernard for comparing anything he does/did to these ..... men.) As much as I find their views toxic and wrong for America, it would never ever ever occur to me to think or say "This transaction must be stopped." If they got the money to buy, and someone is wiling to sell, who am I to get in the way of that?

Rush Is Bad For the NFL

That is the position of the NFL Commissioner. Let's see, the NFL is filled with people with drug convictions, spousal abusers, illegal fire arm carriers and shooters, dog torturers, DWI killers and your run of the mill assault and battery crowd. And this is just the cheerleaders. C'mon, a couple of years ago, the Cincinnati Bengals had more guys arrested during the season than the number of touchdowns they scored. If you ran a rap sheet on the whole league, there would be so much paper, a rain forest would disappear. Teams have abandoned the shot gun offense because guys were bringing Uzis to practice. And Rush Limbaugh is bad for the league? Please. That's as preposterous as having a guy in the NFL Hall of Fame who murdered two people by just about slicing their heads off. Oh, wait... that happened.

The Main Stream Media (MSM): Whores with No Standards

If you ever needed a text book case as to why the main stream media is on the endangered species list, look to this case. The case against Rush was generated by statements attributed to Rush that he never said. The MSM used false Wiki entries as a primary source. They never attempted to verify the veracity of the quotes, no double sourcing, they just ran it like it was the Gospel truth. And get this: once the MSM were made aware that the quotes they were using were false, they could care less. Their rationale: " It sounds like something he would say anyway." I'm not kidding. So much for journalistic integrity sports fans. Rush is broadcasting to millions 5 days a week. His every word is heard. Yet, he is so utterly offensive, they can't, you know, attribute real quotes to him? You know, my wiki page says that I have lush, thick hair. I'm not going to correct it, but believe it if you want. Bottom line: The MSM would have to climb Mount Everest just to get into the gutter.

The Blitzers: Al & Jesse

Isn't it awesome that the MSM's go to guys when people are allegedly "offended" are men who have made patently offensive statements themselves? Jesse telling a Washingon Post reporter that NY was "Hymie Town", (You see I'm a regular Woodward & Bernstein, I just attributed a statement to Jesse without using wiki. Where is my Pulitzer? ) Al declaring he did not want white interlopers in Harlem at the Freddie's Fashion Mart protest, (later on a protester burned the place to the ground killing 8 people) Al during the Crown Heights riots: "If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house." And on and on.
So get it straight: The people who have the attributable offensive statements (Jesse) get to use made up false statements to stop a man from entering a business deal. And the media laps it up like the dogs they are. What a country.

Offending NFL Players

There is this idea that if Rush owned the team, black players would be offended and would not want to play for that team. To that I say, that is their right. NFL players make millions of dollars, and they have free agency rights to shop their services to all teams. If they are drafted by a team owned by Rush, and it means that much to them, they could either force a trade, or enter into the next year's draft. With 10% unemployment, two wars, urban schools in shambles, do we really need to worry about millionaires with a lot of choices?

When He Was On The Scene, Everything Was Alright

It feels like 1,000 people have left the room. Just last week I wrote about him ("The List") and now he has passed on. I am talking about, of course, the great Captain Lou Albano who died yesterday.

He has gone and joined my other two favorites, the Grand Wizard and Freddie Blassie, in that Great Steel Cage Match in the sky.

Captain Lou was awesome. His monologues straight into the camera to the viewer at home during the 70's were a thing of beauty.

Back then, I thought a wrestling manager was the coolest job. While the wrestlers (wink, wink) fought, the managers just talked a lot of s**t, hung out at ringside during matches (which often entailed hitting an opponent when the ref wasn't looking), and picked up a nice paycheck.

Who can forget the Grand Wizard, with that headset borrowed from Johnny Carson's Carnac, and those sunglasses, telling the world the virtues of Superstar Billy Graham's bearhug?

Or the Hollywood fashion plate calling everyone in sight a "pencil neck geek" and hitting guys with his cane?

Captain Lou joins them both.

Wouldn't it be awesome if a Battle Royale broke out during the funeral?

How great would it be if George "The Animal" Steele gave the eulogy?

A Disgrace

Don't forget the Motor City-Laura Nyro & Labelle

To say Detroit has been devastated would be an understatement. Unemployment is at 28%, houses are worth nothing, and the education system is in shambles.

But a couple of years ago, a philanthropist wanted to do right by Detroit in a big way. He wanted to donate $200 million dollars to build 15 charter high schools. To give parents choices they so desperately need.

Sounds like a great idea, right? Detroit's tax base has been eroding for a long time, and $200 million and 15 charter schools could make a real difference.

So how in the hell was this proposal rejected by a city desperate for funds?

What happened was the UFT did not want charter schools. They see it as an invasion of their turf. They staged a walkout on a school day and used their power to get the city/state government to REJECT the proposal.

Listen up, and I say it over and over: the lack of educational choices in urban America is a moral offense. Liberals citizens and liberal politicians have locked far too many generations of children into schools that we all know should be closed.

They have chosen time and again to stand with the Teacher's Union and against parents and their children.

So please, do not ever let liberals tell you that they want to help people when in truth they have kept millions of American kids in education hell holes.

Below is a statement from Robert Thompson, the man who wanted to put the $200 million up to build the charter schools:

“I am disappointed and saddened by the anger and hostility that has greeted our proposal. Because of these contentious conditions, we are not going to move forward with our planned charter high schools,” said Thompson. “Our proposal to build a number of new very small charter high schools in Detroit was intended to increase options for Detroit parents and children. The proposal was meant to be for kids and not against anyone or any institution.”

The Great One: A Stoop Hall of Famer

Jackie Gleason is a true Stoop Hall of Famer. (I used to ask cab drivers: Who gave you your biggest tip? Jackie Gleason was a name I heard over and over.) Three years before he died, Gleason was interviewed on 60 Minutes. If you watch the interview below, you will see how the Stoop shaped his life and inspired his timeless characters. Jackie Gleason "60 Minutes" Part 1 This is the Jackie Gleason "60 Minutes" interview from 1984.
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Columbus: Enemy of the Progressive Crowd

Yesterday was Columbus Day. I talked to three libs about it, they called Columbus a blood thirsty mass murderer. A pal of mine told me when he was in law school, students wore black arm bands to protest Columbus Day.

How does a man go from being a hero to a genocidal maniac in one generation?

Here is an attempt to explain why:

Pluribus Unum, which means “Out of many, one." and has been on the seal of the United States since 1776.

Some points:

While we are very eager to show our love, respect and affection for the lands of our ancestors, it would be great to see some of that outward display for America and its heroes, which includes brave explorers that landed here like Columbus .

I guess the larger & central question for all of us as Americans is "Who are we?"

Are we tied together by mere geography, all in search of economic freedom, a coast to coast job mart? Get a good job, raise your own family,and do what you want, live by your own code is that what ties us together as a nation? Is that what some would call the American Dream?

I guess some of you would say yes.

But I reject that out of hand.

It can't be just that. What binds us is our common heritage, culture, language, literature, history & heroes.

To much blood has been spilled for me to ever think what those before me were fighting and dying for was a coast to coast flea market.

It's more than that. Much more than that.

But I can see why it's hard in contemporary America to openly express joy in our American heritage.

You see, a lot of what you were taught as children as good is now seen as bad.

Give me the child for six years and he will be a Marxist for life.
Lenin

When we were children,we were rightly taught to venerate those who came before us,our founding fathers, these brave souls that set up the greatest social compact in human history.

Our history books were bursting with American heroes like Patrick Henry & Nathan Hale. "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country!" "Give me liberty or give me death!" These brave Americans wailed.

These brave Americans have been erased from our history books in our secular progressive schools. Instead our children are taught that our founding fathers were slave-owning genocidal blood-thirsty maniacs. No wonder why Nathan Hale is now known only as a pub in lower Manhattan with a joker-poker machine. No wonder why Marty Markowitz had the audacity to remove the portraits of "dead white men" (his words) from Borough Hall because they did not "accurately reflect the diversity of Brooklyn."

These progressive Gods of modernity are shrewd, I tell you. They realize when you disconnect a people from their history, you've delivered a Joe Frazier-like body blow.

Once that is accomplished, you can take their calendars away. Impose new heroes from on high. Is it any wonder why Washington's birthday is not a holiday? Is it any surprise that Earth Day is more celebrated in America than the lives of Adams,Jefferson,Madison,Hamilton & Monroe combined?

Once you control the schools, the history, and language, you still need the culture. You need to be able to mold progressive heroes that are acceptable to the Gods of modernity. You also need to strike with brute force against the infidels- the keepers of the old flame of traditional America.

But that's an easy one for the progressives. Hollywood & the media are capos in this war.

Look at the movie industry. It actually awards pedophiles like Roman Polanski & Woody Allen. It even rewards straight-up traitors like Jane Fonda. (Who should appear next to Benedict Arnold in all American History books.) The message: "These people should be admired & emulated. That is why we are giving them this award."

That also goes for the movies Hollywood makes. Make a movie about radicals like Che Guevara,and watch the good reviews and the trophies come rolling in. Again,the message: these are the new heroes, and you better start worshiping at the progressive altar.

Never underestimate the power of movies over the masses. There are those among us that get their history straight from Oliver Stone. These poor souls will tell you that John Candy & and Joe Pesci were involved in the assassination of President Kennedy because they saw JFK.

But just as important as the movies Hollywood makes is the movies they will never make.

Think we will ever see a Hollywood movie celebrating the lives Pope John Paul II or Cardinal O'Connor? These men led incredibly interesting lives, and became the spiritual leaders for billions. Their stories would illuminate the big screen. But we all know it will never happen. Why? They are not secular icons. In fact they are the enemy of the progressives. As a result, they would rather make a movie about Biggie Smalls, a crack-dealing rapper murdered at age 24.

Just as Hollywood has the ability to create heroes of mythical proportions, it also has the devastating power to tear down.

You don't think so? Look at how the American military has been portrayed in film. During World War II, movies were made to show the rightness of of cause, the heroic nature of our soldiers, and the solidarity back home.

Since Vietnam, our soldiers are portrayed as opium taking rapists, or Rambo like maniacs, or dumb hicks to stupid to know they are fighting for an unworthy cause.

You don't think there is fallout from this? Of course there is. It's designed to tear down our military servants as admirable Americans to be emulated. Is it any wonder that the military is not allowed on certain campuses? Is it any wonder that our military does not carry the prestige that it once had?

In the 20th Century, the American military brought more freedom to more people than anyone in the history of the world. More than King, Gandhi & Lincoln.

Prediction: When Hollywood gets around to making the Pat Tillman story,the main plot will not be how this man turned down millions of dollars to be an Army Ranger. No, the plot will center on how the government covered up the circumstances of his death. Bank on it.

Our military changed the maps of the world. And look how they are depicted in Hollywood. Stalin once said if he could control Hollywood, he could control the world. And he was right.

Conclusion

It's all connected folks. The gods of modern culture, language, and history have their own commandments. They are unforgiving gods,and they demand total adherence. To cross them is to be out of step with modern culture, and if you do,be prepared to be labeled racist, xenophobe,homophobe and worse.

And that's how Columbus went from being a hero to being Jeffrey Dahmer.

But as Bob Dylan says, you gotta serve somebody.

As for me, let me be clear: you will not find me in the church of the progressive gods.

The Tough, And The Not So Tough

When you look at Eli Manning, he doesn't look like much, right? I mean, he looks like a junior on some college campus throwing around a Frisbee and taking bong hits. Like a kid who still hasn't declared a major in college, and is real excited because he just scored Pearl Jam tickets.

But looks are deceiving my friends. Because Eli has the heart of 10,000 lions. This plantar fasciitis that he had, Eddie Curry would have been out until mid season. But not Eli, and everyone on the Giants knew it. What a tough bastard.

The thing about Eli, is that if he were so inclined, he could coast. This town would never forget him, he is a LEGEND after what he did in the Super Bowl. He never has to pay for a drink in NYC, his legacy is chiseled in stone. He is like Joe Willie Namath: he pulled an improbable upset, and just as Namath never had to do anything else to be immortal (in fact he never won another playoff game) neither does Eli.

But to Eli's credit, he has not coasted. He keeps working on his craft. This year, my jeweler's eye has noticed that Eli has a greater ability to shed and sidestep rushers which gives him a crucial extra second or so to make pivotal down field throws. (By the way, do you think Plaxi is watching every game in the prison rec room and every time Stevie Smith makes a catch, Plaxi bangs his head against the wall, like Jake LaMotta in the Florida prison in Raging Bull yelling why! why! why!)

I wish Eli's tolerance to play through pain could be transferred to Reyes, Beltran and Delgado. I call these guys the "space shuttle" Mets. Why? Because NASA doesn't let a Space Shuttle launch unless conditions are perfect. If there is a cloud in the Florida sky, NASA will postpone a launch.

That is how these guys play (I mean don't play) with injuries. If they ain't 100%, they will sit. Tell me they can't learn from Eli? How frustrating it was for Met fans week after week with these guys out and no real updates on what was wrong, and when they will return.

Next year, I don't wanna hear about injuries with these guys. If they are injured prove it. Bring back Kiner's Korner and have Ralph hold up an MRI to the goddamn light of a broken Beltran bone so WE KNOW HE AIN'T DOGGING IT.

Let these Mets show their inner Eli. If they don't have it, show them the door.