WE'RE #1...21! WE'RE #1...21!
ESPN the Magazine has released it's anual SportsNation rankings of the 122 pro sports teams in North America. And slouching in at number 121 with an anchor are your Toronto Maple Leafs. Be proud Toronto, you stand shoulder to shoulder with such current giants of the sports world as the Detroit Lions and the New York Knicks. Here's your link to the sorted details. Pay particular attention to the disgraceful placement in the affordability, bang for the buck, player ratings, and title track categories. So what's in the water in Connecticut? What allows them to see the goings on at Air Canada Centre so much more clearly than do the lemmings who continue to fill the building and perpetuate this drivel?
On a completely different note, I'm not sure the Blue Jays belong at 67. It's probably a quirk of the system, but I think if you're in the upper half of your sport--as I believe the Jays are--then you should be in the upper half of the total ranking. Just saying.
30 April, 2008
29 April, 2008
Book alert
Libertarians and conservatives who live in Canada know that this country is already a lost cause. Hell will have long frozen over by the time a candidate for national office merely speaks of replacing our socialist health care system with one which might actually work efficiently. American's who believe themselves overtaxed would have a heart attack if they moved here. And I could go on.
There's still hope for America though. If there's one thing we've learned over the last four months, it's that there's nothing new about Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. We've seen their kind before. It takes a village... socialized health care... cut back to save the planet... all through regulation the likes of which we've never seen. None of these ideas are new either. They have a rich history of failure and kookery, if only someone cared enough to look it up. Finally someone has.
Daniel J. Flynn, author of the wonderful Why the Left Hates America, and the slightly denser yet no less wonderful Intellectual Morons returns with the book we've all secretly wanted to read. A Conservative History of the American Left traces the history of this most destructive of movements through examining the contributions and stories of the colourful characters it has inevitably attracted over the years. Happily it appears in book stores today, just in time to save us from the latest round of leftist presidential campaign tomfoolery. here's your amazon link. Enjoy.
There's still hope for America though. If there's one thing we've learned over the last four months, it's that there's nothing new about Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. We've seen their kind before. It takes a village... socialized health care... cut back to save the planet... all through regulation the likes of which we've never seen. None of these ideas are new either. They have a rich history of failure and kookery, if only someone cared enough to look it up. Finally someone has.
Daniel J. Flynn, author of the wonderful Why the Left Hates America, and the slightly denser yet no less wonderful Intellectual Morons returns with the book we've all secretly wanted to read. A Conservative History of the American Left traces the history of this most destructive of movements through examining the contributions and stories of the colourful characters it has inevitably attracted over the years. Happily it appears in book stores today, just in time to save us from the latest round of leftist presidential campaign tomfoolery. here's your amazon link. Enjoy.
Confidence men
Timewasters, not just for cubicle dwellers anymore. Take for example this motion from today's House procedings:
The motion past 152-117, tories opposing. Now, if this actually meant something it could be interesting. If Dion awakes from his coma long enough to actually bring down the government, would the tories try to claim that there's presently no legitimate authority to administer an election? Forget Hamas, someone get Jimmy Carter to Ottawa! Bring forth the observers! Oh wait, fortunately it means nothing whatsoever. What is it exactly we pay these people for again?
Motion to express the House's complete confidence in Elections Canada and the Commissioner for Canadian Elections.
The motion past 152-117, tories opposing. Now, if this actually meant something it could be interesting. If Dion awakes from his coma long enough to actually bring down the government, would the tories try to claim that there's presently no legitimate authority to administer an election? Forget Hamas, someone get Jimmy Carter to Ottawa! Bring forth the observers! Oh wait, fortunately it means nothing whatsoever. What is it exactly we pay these people for again?
26 April, 2008
...And down the stretch they fade
24-for-66
That was the line for Raptors not named Bosh in game 4. Saying pathetic would be too kind. But never fear, this team--which allowed a 12-2 run in the last 2 minutes of a playoff home game--will shortly be a playoff team no longer. Thanks guys, it's been real.
That was the line for Raptors not named Bosh in game 4. Saying pathetic would be too kind. But never fear, this team--which allowed a 12-2 run in the last 2 minutes of a playoff home game--will shortly be a playoff team no longer. Thanks guys, it's been real.
24 April, 2008
We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story
Isn't it nice when things just work?
Well there we go. Sam starts #33, 8 and 5 at the end of the first, Sam's a genius, Whatever. I can see the headlines now. "Ford fires on all cylinders; makes Magic disappear." Basically, it was the kind of performance this team pulled out all season, only after 3 or 4 games worth of inconsistent play. We'll see on Saturday if it's a sign of things to come or if the Magic took the rest of the night off. But damn, that building was loud! Any time real fans can show up the Leaf lemmings like that is a gooood thing.
Well there we go. Sam starts #33, 8 and 5 at the end of the first, Sam's a genius, Whatever. I can see the headlines now. "Ford fires on all cylinders; makes Magic disappear." Basically, it was the kind of performance this team pulled out all season, only after 3 or 4 games worth of inconsistent play. We'll see on Saturday if it's a sign of things to come or if the Magic took the rest of the night off. But damn, that building was loud! Any time real fans can show up the Leaf lemmings like that is a gooood thing.
22 April, 2008
Drive! they shouted
Damn
I can already hear the phone calls tomorrow. The Fact is, it was a drawn up play, high screen and roll, the best play they've run all season. Either Calderon drives or shoots or Bosh does the same. I fully expect Chris to say in the post-game that he couldn't count on getting the call, something which was demonstrated to him seconds before. So he settles for a 15-20 foot jumper that he usually makes. Oh well, if he makes it we all know the papers say what good coaching it was or good execution or whatever. Still, do I think he was a little scared of superman? Yeah, a little. You can't play as if you don't think you're going to get a call that you should, it takes away options you desperately need in crunch time. I say drive anyway. But that's just me. At least we know we can make it a series. Not being down 10 at the end of the first would also be a big help.
I can already hear the phone calls tomorrow. The Fact is, it was a drawn up play, high screen and roll, the best play they've run all season. Either Calderon drives or shoots or Bosh does the same. I fully expect Chris to say in the post-game that he couldn't count on getting the call, something which was demonstrated to him seconds before. So he settles for a 15-20 foot jumper that he usually makes. Oh well, if he makes it we all know the papers say what good coaching it was or good execution or whatever. Still, do I think he was a little scared of superman? Yeah, a little. You can't play as if you don't think you're going to get a call that you should, it takes away options you desperately need in crunch time. I say drive anyway. But that's just me. At least we know we can make it a series. Not being down 10 at the end of the first would also be a big help.
Dancing With the Moonlit Knight
megan informs us that not only are the Capital Park Police refusing to drop the charge against the Jefferson 1, they're laying new ones! She's now also charged with demonstrating without a permit. I have only one question: when you win a civil suit against these creeps, is your judgment higher because you had to defend yourself against two trumped up charges instead of one? Unbelievable. Actually, scratch that. Predictable.
20 April, 2008
The sequel
I'm proposing a new NBA bylaw: playoff seeds must be reconfigured every year as to force all series between the Spurs and Suns to take place during the conference finals.
Notwithstanding the rest of this post, I want to stipulate to the following: If you hold a 16 point lead at any time during an NBA game and you go on to lose said game, there are no excuses.
Now then... Man, how good are those pictures of David Stern that are sitting in Gregg Popovich's desk? There was absolutely no freaking way that was a charge during the first overtime. If there was a tape of the worst or most bullshit calls in NBA history, Stoudemire's sixth called foul one would be on it. And what's with not calling a foul on Steve Nash's 3 poin tshot to tie the game? I mean the officials can only stab a team in the back so many times, right?
Now for Duncan's three pointer. I was absolutely stunned. Every basketball fan was screaming "Your up by 3!" at the TV. If you have decided not to foul, there is no possible excuse for letting yourself be drawn to a player who is driving inside when you are up by 3. It was stupid beyond words.
Bring on game 2!
Notwithstanding the rest of this post, I want to stipulate to the following: If you hold a 16 point lead at any time during an NBA game and you go on to lose said game, there are no excuses.
Now then... Man, how good are those pictures of David Stern that are sitting in Gregg Popovich's desk? There was absolutely no freaking way that was a charge during the first overtime. If there was a tape of the worst or most bullshit calls in NBA history, Stoudemire's sixth called foul one would be on it. And what's with not calling a foul on Steve Nash's 3 poin tshot to tie the game? I mean the officials can only stab a team in the back so many times, right?
Now for Duncan's three pointer. I was absolutely stunned. Every basketball fan was screaming "Your up by 3!" at the TV. If you have decided not to foul, there is no possible excuse for letting yourself be drawn to a player who is driving inside when you are up by 3. It was stupid beyond words.
Bring on game 2!
18 April, 2008
Calling a spade... spadish
Thanks to Andrew Potter for this little snip from yesterday's question period. Of course I disagree with his punch line. The real news here is Ms. Bell proclaiming her own irrelevance, which was ably pounced on by the Minister.
"Mr. Speaker, as the Minister is no doubt aware; although members of my party will never vote for it, it is the right thing to do." Clllassic.
Oh! He means the whole communist corner thing. Yeah, yeah that's bad. Couldn't he just have said "the new democrats" with the same effect anyway?
"Mr. Speaker, as the Minister is no doubt aware; although members of my party will never vote for it, it is the right thing to do." Clllassic.
Oh! He means the whole communist corner thing. Yeah, yeah that's bad. Couldn't he just have said "the new democrats" with the same effect anyway?
17 April, 2008
Hitting the reset button
I planned to do a lot of Raptors blogging this year, a lot more than my one post back in November. What happened? I don't know what the hell to make of this team, haven't been able to figure them out the whole year. I guess that's what happens when you have a .500^1 team. Bargnani has been bloody awful more often than not. Chris Bosh seems to be invisible on some nights. We seem not to be able to decide exactly what style of offense we're good at. And the list goes on.
But fortunately none of that matters starting Sunday. As of Sunday the Raptors season is 4 games long. Hopefully they can get their heads on straight and extend that a bit. I'd be lying if I said I felt confident that they will though.
^1 The Raptors actual record if 42-40, no matter what the bastards in the league office say it is.
But fortunately none of that matters starting Sunday. As of Sunday the Raptors season is 4 games long. Hopefully they can get their heads on straight and extend that a bit. I'd be lying if I said I felt confident that they will though.
^1 The Raptors actual record if 42-40, no matter what the bastards in the league office say it is.
15 April, 2008
The press release
Her side of the story.
Now it's 'interfering with an agency function'. Perfect for this new age of doublespeak. Jefferson continues to spin.
I was right. After I didn't spot an 'it was me' post by Sunday night, Brooke just popped into my head and it felt right. Happy to know she's alive and well except for that whole malicious prosecution thing. Not that I thought she wasn't, but when you live in Toronto and you don't see a mention of someone for eight months you're really not sure.
Now, may the fires of bloggy hell descend upon the Washington D.C. Park Police with all due venom and haste.
Now it's 'interfering with an agency function'. Perfect for this new age of doublespeak. Jefferson continues to spin.
I was right. After I didn't spot an 'it was me' post by Sunday night, Brooke just popped into my head and it felt right. Happy to know she's alive and well except for that whole malicious prosecution thing. Not that I thought she wasn't, but when you live in Toronto and you don't see a mention of someone for eight months you're really not sure.
Now, may the fires of bloggy hell descend upon the Washington D.C. Park Police with all due venom and haste.
13 April, 2008
Free the Jefferson 1!
Update: Yep, if there's going to be a coordinated campaign of some sort, it's definitely there.
Semi-official coverage over here from now on I think.
Semi-official coverage over here from now on I think.
Freedom Overspill
Update: I think I know who she is. If I'm right, oooooh boy, journalists and lawyers indeed.
What the...
Megan reports via others that someone was arrested on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial this morning.
To summarize, some Jefferson fans--and really, who isn't one--decided to celebrate his birthday--which is today for those of you who've misplaced your copy of Founders Flashcards--by dancing near his memorial. If you're scratching your head at this point, and I'm really plumming the depths here, but I believe that Jefferson once said something like, "Dancing is a healthy and elegant exercise, a specific against social awkwardness." Said celebration apparently consisted of bringing iPods so as not to disturb those not in on the fun and dancing (in place?) to some sort of pre-aranged playlist. So far so good.
According to witnesses, ten minutes into the celebration, Park Police officers began pushing the participants away from the memorial. At this point, a female participant inquired why she was being evicted from the memorial. She was then summarily shoved up against a nearby pillar, cuffed, and involuntarily escorted down the black hole of the American justice system. The Jefferson 1, as she will henceforth be referred to in this space, has been charged with disorderly conduct. Said founding father would be proud.
Doing some quick analysis, obviously the dancing itself wasn't a 'crime' as only one of the group was arrested. That leads to the conclusion that asking why you are being escorted away from a federal monument has become an unlawful act.
The irony found in the idea that honouring Thomas Jefferson by dancing in front of his memorial would result in running a foul of a government as controlling and oppressive as that which we find ourselves living under today should escape no one.
What the...
Megan reports via others that someone was arrested on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial this morning.
To summarize, some Jefferson fans--and really, who isn't one--decided to celebrate his birthday--which is today for those of you who've misplaced your copy of Founders Flashcards--by dancing near his memorial. If you're scratching your head at this point, and I'm really plumming the depths here, but I believe that Jefferson once said something like, "Dancing is a healthy and elegant exercise, a specific against social awkwardness." Said celebration apparently consisted of bringing iPods so as not to disturb those not in on the fun and dancing (in place?) to some sort of pre-aranged playlist. So far so good.
According to witnesses, ten minutes into the celebration, Park Police officers began pushing the participants away from the memorial. At this point, a female participant inquired why she was being evicted from the memorial. She was then summarily shoved up against a nearby pillar, cuffed, and involuntarily escorted down the black hole of the American justice system. The Jefferson 1, as she will henceforth be referred to in this space, has been charged with disorderly conduct. Said founding father would be proud.
Doing some quick analysis, obviously the dancing itself wasn't a 'crime' as only one of the group was arrested. That leads to the conclusion that asking why you are being escorted away from a federal monument has become an unlawful act.
The irony found in the idea that honouring Thomas Jefferson by dancing in front of his memorial would result in running a foul of a government as controlling and oppressive as that which we find ourselves living under today should escape no one.
08 April, 2008
One Shining Moment
It's not how many you miss, it's when you make them.
Congratulations to the 2007 Kansas Jayhawks, your national champions. During the weekend, they jumped out to one of the most shocking first half leads in college basketball history against North Carolina, narrowly avoided giving up said lead, and kicked open the door that Memphis left unlocked with two minutes left in the championship game. Everyone had good arguments for picking each of the other top seeds to win, but Kansas turned out to be full value in the end. Oh, and I guess Bill Self can coach after-all. Speaking of which, don't worry Kansas fans, Oklahoma State isn't North Carolina, no matter how much money they have to throw around. He'll be back.
Foul shots, foul shots, foul shots. It was the simple two word refrain of every college basketball fan when discusssing this year's Memphis Tigers. Guess we were right. Oh, and did not one Memphis player watch the Ohio State Xavier game from last March? The ending was pretty much identical. Team A leads most of the game, team B closes the margin in the final minutes, Team A misses important foul shots and only leads by 3 approaching the end of regulation, Team A fails to foul team B as they set up for the tying shot, Team B makes amazing 3 point shot to send game to overtime, Team B blows team A away, game over.
I was pretty disappointed by this year's edition of the tournament overall. After the first weekend there were basically three good games; West Virginia/Xavier, Kansas/Davidson, and Kansas/Memphis. But that first Friday in Tampa was something...
Congratulations to the 2007 Kansas Jayhawks, your national champions. During the weekend, they jumped out to one of the most shocking first half leads in college basketball history against North Carolina, narrowly avoided giving up said lead, and kicked open the door that Memphis left unlocked with two minutes left in the championship game. Everyone had good arguments for picking each of the other top seeds to win, but Kansas turned out to be full value in the end. Oh, and I guess Bill Self can coach after-all. Speaking of which, don't worry Kansas fans, Oklahoma State isn't North Carolina, no matter how much money they have to throw around. He'll be back.
Foul shots, foul shots, foul shots. It was the simple two word refrain of every college basketball fan when discusssing this year's Memphis Tigers. Guess we were right. Oh, and did not one Memphis player watch the Ohio State Xavier game from last March? The ending was pretty much identical. Team A leads most of the game, team B closes the margin in the final minutes, Team A misses important foul shots and only leads by 3 approaching the end of regulation, Team A fails to foul team B as they set up for the tying shot, Team B makes amazing 3 point shot to send game to overtime, Team B blows team A away, game over.
I was pretty disappointed by this year's edition of the tournament overall. After the first weekend there were basically three good games; West Virginia/Xavier, Kansas/Davidson, and Kansas/Memphis. But that first Friday in Tampa was something...
03 April, 2008
Bad vibrations
I know, I know, it's only 3 games. But this team looks suspiciously like the one that just wasn't good enough last year. If you hold the Yankees to 8 runs in a 3 game series, you should sweep it. The Blue Jays found a way to drop 2 out of 3. If the walking dead weren't flying into Toronto at this moment in the form of the Boston Red Sox, I think we'd be staring at 1-5 tonight. But since it is the Red Sox, and since we play them well all things being equal, I think we'll take 2 out of 3 for the weekend.
01 April, 2008
Unfit for office
"She was an unethical, dishonest lawyer. She conspired to violate the Constitution, the rules of the House, the rules of the committee and the rules of confidentiality."
That's the headline from this column from Dan Calabrese which posted yesterday.
The surprising thing about this is just how unsurprising it is. We know that Hillary Clinton has operated this way for years. She sent one of her lieutenants (the woman who now runs her presidential campaign) into Vince Foster's office to remove documents after his death. We know that legal records relating to the Cassa Grande project, which she stated under oath she had never seen, were later found in her private quarters in the White House. Apparently Hillary Rodham learned less about dishonesty and skullduggery from her husband than we thought. I guess she mellowed in her old age though. If she had submitted a criminally fraudulant brief to the court, as this one was, it would have at least been worthy of disbarment. That being said, I'd be shocked if Clinton herself is asked about this by the boot-licking media before tax day.
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