Cheshire Prospects

The Yearly Stagecoach Robbery that is the BCS

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:03:00 +0000

I'm not a big college football fan. Maybe it's because my high school didn't have a football team of our own (we shared a program with a neighboring town who kept the rights to not hyphenating), maybe it's because I went to college at school that didn't have a football team (BU tragically cut their squad in 1997, but has led to some great t-shirts), maybe it's because I work at a college now that got rid of their football team earlier this decade. I don't know what it is. I love pro ball, and I do understand the game. When I do watch college football, I root for underdogs or teams I just feel I should root for. For the diehards out there, I'm a passive college football loser.

But let me make clear - this in no way makes me unknowledgeable about the politics of the sport. On the contrary: I wrote a persuasive essay in 10th grade about why college football should change to a playoff format and how it could be done. I got an A on that paper. And Mrs. Farmer was a college football fan so I couldn't just make it up, I had to know my stuff. That was a good paper, damnit!

Leading me to this: the BCS sucks. You know how I know? Because they make two undefeated, small conference teams play each other in a meaningless BCS bowl game (Fiesta) rather than play against the two other large conference teams who are vying for the DI National Championship.

In no other sport in no other division in the NCAA is this allowed happen. Every year, the BCS committee is allowed to anoint two teams to play for the collegiate national football championship. Every year, teams like TCU and Boise State get snubbed in favor of corporate college football programs. And every year, people are pissed.

Hell, the BCS even hired a spokesman this year to try and do positive PR for it (which was an EPIC fail, considering they chose former Bush spokesman Ari Fleisher to be their mouthpiece). But no one with a sense of fair play (or empty football trophy cases, for that matter) finds this ridiculous, unsportsman-like system acceptable. Remember, the BCS without a "Championship" is just a whole lot of B.S.

I'm with Yglesias - it's time for Obama to get involved. Where's "Big Government" when we need it?!

And go Tide.

UPDATE: This video was sent to me, and I think it relates to the topic at hand. Via Newsy:

Two-Faced

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:18:00 +0000

Via Yglesias, apparently the major health insurance corporations like Blue Cross Blue Shield are playing the game - publicly appearing to cooperate and favor health care reform while simultaneously supporting far-right efforts to ban reform as unconstitutional.

I don't know why this kinda surprises me, but it shouldn't. As Oscar Wilde once said, "Consistency is the last resort of the unimaginative," and who could be more unimaginative than the heads of corporations who are focused on taking as much money from people before they die and definitely don't want the status quo to change, even at the detriment of the people they serve as a whole. And to put their lot in with those on the right who are just looking to score political points rather than fix what is wrong with our country is just shameful.

It's funny how the mind relates things together, but when I heard how "two-faced" these insurance companies are being and who they're hedging their bets on to come out on top in this struggle, my mind flashed to this exchange from The Dark Knight:

Bruce Wayne: Targeting me won't get their money back. I knew the mob wouldn't go down without a fight, but this is different. They crossed the line.
Alfred Pennyworth: You crossed the line first, sir. You squeezed them, you hammered them to the point of desperation. And in their desperation they turned to a man they didn't fully understand.

Like I said, funny how the mind relates things.

Told you...

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:12:00 +0000

Via Andrew Sullivan, Slate more or less beats us to the punch to make mad money.

Obama to Zombie Reagan: "Bite Me"

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:26:00 +0000

Via Andrew Sullivan:

Zombie Reagan Raised From Grave To Lead GOP

Qualifications

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:24:00 +0000

Question for examination:

People say all of the time that Politician X is more qualified to hold Elected Office Y than Politician Z. Or that because of a Reason X, Politician Z is not qualified to hold Elected Office Y.

What do people expect those they elect to office to be? What set of qualities/experience/etc. should a person have in order for one to deem them "qualified" for an office?

And then more importantly, why don't the people demand that there be candidates reflective of those qualifications rather, than voting for the lesser of evils or letting candidates define what their expectaions should be?

One of those moments I really wish we had a vibrant following and comments section, like TNC.

Thanksgiving Meditations

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Some thoughts of much wiser and wittier individuals than I. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues. ~Cicero

O Lord that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
~William Shakespeare

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. ~Theodore Roosevelt

Stand up, on this Thanksgiving Day, stand upon your feet. Believe in man. Soberly and with clear eyes, believe in your own time and place. There is not, and there never has been a better time, or a better place to live in. ~Phillips Brooks

For, after all, put it as we may to ourselves, we are all of us from birth to death guests at a table which we did not spread. The sun, the earth, love, friends, our very breath are parts of the banquet.... Shall we think of the day as a chance to come nearer to our Host, and to find out something of Him who has fed us so long? ~Rebecca Harding Davis

I love Thanksgiving turkey. It's the only time in Los Angeles that you see natural breasts. ~Arnold Schwarzenegger

Sound of the Day

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:47:00 +0000

Really folks, if this isn't enough proof that it's time for another iteration of The Muppet Show, I don't know what is.

Video of the Day

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:45:00 +0000

(Hat Tip: Andrew Sullivan)

Where History and Obechi Collide

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:25:00 +0000

Via Andrew Sullivan:

UPDATE: It has been noted that this video is kinda boring. But I think if it were slightly faster and put to the tune of The 1812 Overture, this would be quite the blockbuster.

Colbert FTW

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:10:00 +0000

Via TPM:

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

The Word - Grand Old Pity Party

http://www.colbertnation.com/

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

U.S. Speedskating

Moneymaker

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:15:00 +0000

I need to get this down before someone steals it.

So this little blurb served as my Muse. My friend Elysse's G-chat status:

"If God had not intended us to eat animals, why did He make them out of meat?"
page 133 in Sarah Palin's new book

I want to create a website where people submit just absolutely absurd and ridiculous statements, which we on our site will then publish attributing it randomly to some page in Sarah Palin's new book, Going Rogue.

I think this is a cash-cow for the tapping, like FML and Texts From Last Night.

Any ideas for a site name?

Fearing the Myth of the Supermen

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:29:00 +0000

Alex Whalen does a great job collecting the thoughts of those across the web reacting to the news that the 9/11 plotters will face trial in NYC, and the fear-mongering the American Right thrives off of.

They're deranged men. That's all. They can't psychically attack us, they can't warp their metal cell bars with their minds, they don't have super-strength, they can't fly. If nothing else, they have an even weaker power of reasoning than we think because they believe the conspiratorial lies propagated to them to brainwash them into hating the United States and all those who don't agree with their perverted version of a beautiful, peaceful Islam. KSM is no bigger or better a man than Timothy McVeigh, the Virginia Tech killer, Nadil Malik Hasan, or Charles Manson.

Killing is a sign of weakness, not strength. KSM is a murderer. He should be forced to face what he's done. If he has no remorse, then fine - lock him away and let him be forgotten in the annals of time. But we are Americans, and we should act and represent what is good and orderly in this world. This man represents is Chaos, and there is nothing solid in Chaos but fear. If people want to be afraid of him, it is their right. But it is they who have let this terrorist win.

Thoughts you should keep to yourself.

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:55:00 +0000

Courtesy of correspondent for The Atlantic, Wendy Kaminer.

And to put it simply (and realizing such simplicity will result in great distortion, opening me up to ridicule):

I'd rather have them inside me than vice versa.

"Humorous" Health Care

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:30:00 +0000

It is rare that I will ever have any pity for Glenn Beck. But having no appendix of my own anymore, I sympathize. It's hard enough to take a licking form Jon Stewart in good health, but to kick Beck when he's down...

Kick harder Jon. Kick harder.

Via Andrew Sullivan:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

The 11/3 Project

http://www.thedailyshow.com/

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Crisis

Sign of the ESPN-ocolypse

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:03:00 +0000

Listen, I'm a big fan of ESPN's website devoted purely to Boston/New England sports. And I like that they are trying to integrate into the new media that relies upon niche news coverage. The new media is tough to transition to, but they're trying and I like it so far.

But not this.

Really, ESPN? You're gonna give me a game summary and box score for a CPU vs. CPU Madden game? I know it's a fun little simulation, but a SUMMARY and BOX SCORE? Like it matters? Football teams play once a week. I've gotten used to it. You don't need to try and supplement for me. Maybe you were trying to go for the World of Warcraft/lost in cyberspace crowd. But really, don't. You aren't being hip. Or cool. Stop whoring yourself out like you aren't the most dominant sports information institution out there. It's okay to just stick to giving me real sports highlights. Really.

The Zen of Rings and Dots

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:07:00 +0000

Via Andrew Sullivan, your procrastination tool for the rest of the day. Obechi.

The Cunning Beauty of "Opt-Out"

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:10:00 +0000

Via TPM, Senator Jay Rockafeller (D-WV):

"I'm looking very much now at this opt out public option," he said, "not opt in but opt out--so you start out with a public option, and if you don't like it you can opt out....that has a sense of freedom."

For those who don't follow (Like I haven't been for two weeks. Womp womp. Sorry loyal readers), let's just put it this way: the health care reform bill creates a national public option. Once in place, if a state chooses to do so it may "opt-out" of public option provision and do whatever works best for their citizenry.

It's a compromise, somewhat like the trigger option that was presented a month or so ago. But the flaw with the trigger was that we had to wait and see. If the insurance companies actually did cut costs before the trigger went into effect (and the whole process was lined with animated baby deer, bunnies, and blue birds), then it would be a good deal for the American people. Yet a sneaking suspicion leads me to believe that the insurance companies' executives and health care CEOs would go Enron on us, sucking as many profits from people as they could before the deadline, and then let the system flail around in far worse shape than it is now, passing their responsibility to make health care more affordable on to the U.S. government because they know they never really really have been providing "the best, most affordable health care in the world."

But so here's the genius of the opt-out: we aren't rolling the rigged dice the insurance companies want us to use in waiting to see if we get caught with snake-eyes. We're fixing the problem now - and the United States gets to join the rest of the modern industrialized world in the 21st century. And then down the line, if states find that their people are not benefited by the availability of the public option, the people will demand that their state governments remove themselves from the program. And as the good Senator of West Virginia told TPM [with liberty to paraphrase], it'll be a lot of fun watching pols try to convince people that their newly-earned free health care sucks. I mean a lot of fun. Like town hall meeting fun.

And this whole thing reminds me of one of my experiences while working at the Massachusetts State House. The Rep's office had been inundated with correspondence about how it was wrong of Massachusetts lawmakers to determine the curriculum on sexual education for public school students. "It's parents' duty and choice to expose their child to such ideas," they'd claim, "the state has no right to do this without parental consent." Wrong simply on that point, but we in the office found a much more persuasive solution in advocating for an opt-out option for parents. If you don't want your child to receive sexual education in public school that's fine, but you as parents have no right to deny that opportunity to another family who does. I'm sure the anti-sex ed people weren't happy about it, but there wasn't much they could argue - they got what they were so worried about and their kid would not have to attend sexual education if they signed a form excusing them from it. It was a compromise, and it's hard to complain about "opt-out" when you get what you're whining about.

I like the opt-out's chances. And after hearing about health care and the ridiculousness that has accompanied it for the past four or so months all I can say is it's about damn time.

Norwegian Nuking of the Fridge

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:13:00 +0000

Honorary ASU degree > Nobel Peace Prize

Wow, that was deep.

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:13:00 +0000

xkcd with a very appropriate post-birthday post. Make sure to let your cursor sit over the comic afterwards and read the text box that appears. Just tragic.

Geek Reaccreditation

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:33:00 +0000

Via Ecocomics, this is the most interesting and thought provoking paper I've read in awhile. Yes, that's pretty sad, but we all need to get reaccredited from time to time. I was due.

(Image Credit: DC Comics)

UPDATE: Also, this theory somewhat helps to explain the ridiculousness that was Superman Blue back in the late 90s. Not so much the loss of Superman's powers, but his subsequent "energy based" powers would seem to jive with what the paper presents. For those of you who have no clue what I'm referring to, background here.

"Nut Up or Shut Up"

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:58:00 +0000

This past weekend, my housemates convinced me to go see Zombieland. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this flick, but I was incredibly glad I went. One of the best comedies I've seen in a while, with a great cast and a great cameo that I had no clue was coming. It's rare that a movie will make me laugh out loud, but I did quite a few times during the course of this one. If you have ten bucks to spend, definitely go check this Zombieland out in the next couple weeks.

The IOC Mob

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:13:00 +0000

Rather than express my disappointment at Chicago losing its bid for the 2016 Olympics, or celebrate that South America will finally host an Olympics (though congrats to Rio), or go off at the right-wing jerks who are trying to impress that this is a sign of the world turning on Obama, I'm just going to link to Nate Silver who with his breakdown of the International Olympic Committee as an sports cartel.

"Old and Busted; New Hotness"

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:30:00 +0000

Via Andrew Sullivan, The Agitator comes across a YouTube it feels perfectly demonstrates why the old media just can't compete with the new:

Wow... Really?

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:54:00 +0000

Via TPM, John Perry's new column for Newsmax.com, a prominent conservative news site. The site has since pulled the article, but Media Matters has been kind enough to store a copy for our viewing pleasure. I mean, I'm all for free speech, but you need some real cajones to write a piece suggesting the military overthrow of the President of the United States. And to be a really dumb editor to run it.

Remember when the GOP and the right used to decry those who simply argued against the President's views as treasonous? I don't see any hypocrisy here. None at all.

Video(s) of the Day

mgsalem@gmail.com (Salem) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:10:00 +0000

I've heard about these dust storms in Australia the past week or so, but this is absolutely surreal:

To all my Aussie friends, stay safe mates.

(Hat Tip: Andrew Sullivan)

UPDATE: This one is from a couple years back, but is even more chill-inducing than the one above. I've always wanted to go to Australia...