McCain vs. Letterman

McCain vs. Letterman

In yet another example of warped priorities, an entertainer is feeling snubbed by a political figure.

John McCain cancelled his appearance on funny-man Letterman's show, citing his need to return to Washington, D.C. to deal with the pending legislation.

Letterman was not happy. He then proceeded to mock McCain, Palin, and even brought out a reknown liberal critic (Keith Olbermann) to join in the mockery.

Dave, let me tell you something:

You are an entertainer. It's just TV...not real life. I'm sorry you got your panties in a wad, but when our government is about to add $1 Trillion to our tax bill by bailing out bad loans, I'd like to have our politicians, even McCain, focusing on how to implement it (if at all), rather than just rubber-stamping whatever President Bush proposes. So get over yourself.

I know you make the big bucks because your sense of humor is great. But I'm thinking that poking fun of someone for laughs is pretty darn easy compared to helping run the country or make decisions of major economic impact. In fact, I've been mocking people for laughs since I was in elementary school.

So Mr. Letterman...lighten up a bit. Don't take yourself so seriously. My final advice? Have some cheese with your whine.

Troy Brown Quits the Patriots

Troy Brown's last route as a Patriot is taking him to retirement.

The popular wide receiver announced this morning that he's ending his playing career after 15 seasons with the New England Patriots during which he set a team record for receptions while building a reputation as one of the most dependable and versatile players in franchise history.

Brown, who played one game last season and remained unsigned this year, made the announcement at a news conference at Gillette Stadium attended by team owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick.

"It's hard to let go," Brown said. "But I know, at the end of the day, I played this game the way it supposed to be played."

Brown, 37, spent his entire career with the Patriots after he was drafted in the eighth round (198th overall) in 1993 out of Marshall. His 557 catches are first in team history and his 6,366 yards receiving are second to Stanley Morgan’s 10,352. Brown, who also filled in at defensive back late in his career and was an outstanding return man in his prime, played in one Pro Bowl, after the 2001 season.

"You can't outrun Father Time, as hard as you try to do it," Brown said. "There comes a time when you say 'I can't keep up the way I used to.' "

At the press conference, Belichick, whom players said spoke glowingly of Brown in a team meeting this morning, recalled some of Brown's greatest plays, among them:

# Super Bowl XXXVIII against Carolina, when he had a big catch on first-and-20 to set up Adam Vinatieri's winning kick.

# The legendary Snow Game against the Raiders, and how his punt return set up Vinatieri's big kick.

# His TD catch from David Patten against the Colts in '01.

# His 82-yard TD reception to beat Miami in overtime in '03.

# A 2006 game against the Packers in which Brown, playing defensive back, held Green Bay star receiver Donald Driver to one catch.

Belichick spoke in depth about Brown's performance against Driver, saying the team has a photo of that play hanging in the walls of Gillette Stadium. He believes the picture epitomizes what Brown was all about as a player.

Kraft, who introduced Brown at the press conference by saying, "I want to welcome Troy Brown back to his home," also noted that the receiver was always "the consummate professional."

Kraft then revealed that team's game Nov. 13, against the Jets before a nationally televised audience, will be Troy Brown Night. The owner unveiled a poster promoting the occasion.

Brown confirmed he had passed up chances to play for the rival Jets - "I had the opportunity to do it, but it didn't feel right," he said, joking he didn't look of green and white - and talked about how much it meant to him to be a lifetime Patriot.

"The only colors you'll ever see on my back are the red, white, and blue of the New England Patriots. I'm proud to say it," he said, his eyes moistening with a few tears.

"It's a wonderful ride. I can't think of anything better in life than enjoying a Sunday afternoon playing football. Now I enjoy Sunday afternoons watching football and saying in my head, 'I can make that play.' "

source: boston.com and Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed to this report from Foxborough. Material from the Associated Press was also used.

Gloria Kellum - Debate in Mississippi

Gloria Kellum is disappointed about the possibility of the presidential debate falling through.

The university says the price tag already sits at almost $5 million in preparing for the debate. But, more than that, "Think about the thousands of people who have traveled here for this, so it's not just the university. It's about lots of people involved in this," says Gloria Kellum, Chancellor of University Relations for Ole Miss.

Boo frickedy-hoo, miss Kellum. Our governing officials are about to spend close to $1 Trillion, and you're bummed that some people may have had their plans inconvenienced. Cry me a river.

Here's another thought from the genius mind of Gloria Kellum:

"The final details are unfolding," said university spokeswoman Gloria Kellum. "The majority of this is accommodating the media and meeting their needs for debate coverage."

This is very telling. The people being inconvenienced are the media and their needs for debate coverage.

Forget the taxpayers! Forget the economy! Forget the impact of economic disaster on the poor, the small businesses, etc. The NEWS REPORTERS might have to travel to D.C. for the news this weekend instead of Mississippi.

I seem to have misplaced my 'world's smallest violin', but when I find it, it will play a tune just for you, Gloria.

Alcee Hastings on Sarah Palin

Representative Alcee Hastings on Sarah Palin:

"If Sarah Palin isn't enough of a reason for you to get over whatever your problem is with Barack Obama, then you damn well had better pay attention.

"Anybody toting guns and stripping moose don't care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks. So, you just think this through."

Logical leap, anyone?

This is said, not by some irrational, raving looney blogger that can hide behind the anonymity of the internet. This is a statement by one of 435 representatives of one of the most powerful countries in the world. Where are the statesmen of yesteryear?

Can you imagine what would happen if a conservative tried to make a statement this extreme? Something like, "Anybody willing to kill unborn children obviously wouldn't mind killing a few Jews and blacks, too." That statement would be equally obscene, but the reaction to it in the media would be most severe.

Enough, already! Grow up! I know we have the freedom to make such remarks, thankfully. It's just a shame we have to use it like this. Why can't there be intelligent discussion of issues rather than just trying to scare people into thinking the way you do, Representative Hastings? Do you disagree with Sarah Palin on fiscal policy? Great! Let's hear it!

What's laughable is that Rep. Hastings thinks that we, the people, are stupid enough to swallow this line of thinking. Sure, there will be some that will agree with the statement because it falls in line with their own pre-formed opinions.

But I doubt many folks will suddenly change their minds; "Oh! Wow! I was thinking Sarah Palin was a reasonable person, but now that you put it that way, maybe she WOULD like to persecute Jews and blacks!"

I bet Rep. Alcee Hastings is trying to figure out why Sarah Palin's approval rating is 7 times that of Congress. Here's a hint: her lipstick joke, tired as it is, is funnier than the 'jokes' about racism from her opponents.

Blacks Against Obama

What is with the 'Blacks Against Obama' group?

An Obama rally was interrupted by a group of protesters holding signs which, among other things, said "Blacks Against Obama".

The protesters were shouted down by the crowd, understandably. But the signs carried mixed, hand-written messages, including one that pointed out Jesse Jackson's dislike for Obama. (That point was revealed during an interview when Jesse didn't realize his mic was still on and he made some pointed, rather disparaging, remarks about what he'd like to do to Obama's nether-region.)

The protest underscores the point that politics cannot be defined by race. Some want to equate 'blackness' with a set way of thinking; a core set of common values, beliefs and priorities. Ironic, since the 'diversity' crowd is the same crowd that is trying to homogenize people of race.

Back to the protest...they group does not appear to have any organized message. No formal website, no clear spokesperson.

I'm pretty sure that 'Blacks Against Obama' is a flash-in-the-pan group of individuals clamoring for their 15 minutes of fame. The clock is at 14:59.

McCain Blackberry Joke

A McCain staffer made a comment to a press member that has reminded many of the Al Gore claim that he invented the Internet.

"You're looking at an invention that McCain helped invent.", claimed a McCain staffer while holding up a Blackberry.

While clearly a joke (and probably a dig at Gore), some folks missed the humor.

Obama staffers immediately responded with scathing criticism, claiming that this statement about inventing the Blackberry was one of the most preposterous things McCain has stated. They apparently missed the sarcasm and seized on what they saw as an opportunity to belittle McCain. The McCain staff laughed at the response by the Obama team, pointing out how they take themselves a little too seriously.

Apparently, in politics, you just can't make a joke! What's really surprising is that someone hasn't implied yet that the McCain Blackberry joke has racist undertones. Give it time...someone will.