Low Hanging Fruit..

Our man Wang gets the ball for the Grapefruit League opener tomorrow in Tampa for the Bombers.....which puts him clearly in the lead for the home opener April 2nd.

Crack of the bat....music to the ears for sure.

Finally....

Very Good Version...

of a very good song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4jrX8-YwKk

...bastards wouldn't let me embed but still worth a link. Try it...

Marathon Blogging

I happened to be in the area of the start of the LA Marathon today so I drove the 1st 4-5 miles. I have to say that it looks pretty enticing. The start point begins with a slight upgrade but nothing too intimidating...that is about 1/2 mile which then flattens out briefly before a long downhill portion that lasts for several miles and takes you right past the Hollywood Bowl.

It should be a great way to get in rhythm and the blood pumping. From there you head onto Hollywood Blvd (and Vine) before heading into various LA neighborhoods and eventually downtown LA....

Getting a little nervous thinking about it.

Marathon Blogging

Coming to the home sretch this week. 6 days and counting until the big day. Weather reports are still really good with temps forecasted in the high 60's to low 70's...partly sunny to sunny skies. If that holds, I'll be beyond happy.

A really great 14 miler completed my training on Sat. and was a terrific confidence booster. After approximately 800 miles of training, you have a lot of ups and downs along the way....some you remember more than others but overall I think my positive experiences were more frequent.

A couple of 3-4 miles muscle looseners this week is all that's left. It will be weird to run that little after months of pretty high miles. That's what the experts say though so, I'll stick with that.

My cheering section looks to be about 13 people...that will help enormously...can't leave'm hanging at the finish line and I think they'll probably expect me to be in a good mood. 50-50 that they'll be disapppointed.

John Prine & Nanci Griffith

Wow...they're good huh...

You Cannot Petition the Lord with Prayer..

Marathon Blogging...

Is marathon running hardcore? Hardly...

IN THE WESTERN DESERT, Egypt -- After nearly four months of running the equivalent of almost two marathons a day, former Hermosa Beach resident Charlie Engle has become one of the first modern runners to cross the Sahara Desert's grueling 4,000 miles.... ]

"It will take time to sink in ... but this is an absolutely once- in-a-lifetime
thing. They say ignorance is bliss, and now that I know how hard this is, I
would never consider crossing the Sahara on foot again," said [Charlie Engle],
44, hours after he and fellow distance runners Ray Zahab, 38, of Canada and
Kevin Lin, 30, of Taiwan completed the run at Egypt's Red Sea.

Engle
said the trio ran the final stretch of their journey, a portion that took them
past the Giza pyramids and Cairo to the mouth of the Suez Canal, on four hours
of sleep. Once they hit the Red Sea, they put their hands in the water to
signify crossing the finish line.

Engle, who worked as a television
producer for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," moved from Hermosa Beach to
Greensboro, N.C., last year. A distance runner since age 14, he has participated
in other challenging runs through harsh terrains, including a 150- mile race
across China's Gobi desert and a seven-day, 125-mile race through the Amazon
rain forest.

But that sure effing is...

As John McEnroe used to say:

YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS?? (from the WH Press Corp)

Q I'm compelled to ask you this question. Does the President have any Oscar picks, and has he seen any of the films?
MS. PERINO: Has he seen what?
Q Keep in mind this is coming from ABC. Has the President seen any of the Oscar nominated films, and does he have any picks?
MS. PERINO: Well, you know, I have not seen any Oscar nominated films. I don't think, personally, I couldn't even tell you what is actually nominated. But I know he and Mrs. Bush do enjoy watching movies, and I will check into it and see if I can find out. I don't even know what's nominated.

Hey Tony!

Have you heard about that WaPo Walter Reed Story? To Paraphrase the Doofus-in-Chief...which is worse, knowing about it or NOT knowing about it??

Q So you're saying the President learned about this from The Washington Post?
MR. SNOW: I don't know exactly where he learned it, but I can tell you that we believe that they deserve better. And, again, Ed, this is something where I'd suggest you give DoD a call, because I know they've taken a good, hard look at it.
Q Tony, can I follow on that? As Bob Dole might ask, where's the outrage?
MR. SNOW: There's plenty of outrage.
Q Is there?
MR. SNOW: Yes.

So Hard to Choose...

the most revolting behavior of the Bush Gang before, during and if ever after the war but the treatment of injured and maimed troops has to rank pretty high on a long, long list. The WaPo approached the story correctly in my view, bypassing the Walter Reed public relations officers to expose a very compelling and sad story.

No need to recount the mistreatment to those who deserve much better as it is gaining pretty good traction in most media outlets.

Let's instead look at what the larger picture confirms about the true Bush priorities during a time of war. Some folks may conclude that Bush actually hates the troops given the support so lacking after the wounded veterans return home.

I highly doubt that because I believe that he and his admin are so detached and indifferent to others that whether veterans suffer or not, are killed or not...name your "or not", they just aren't that into it. Oh sure, when troops are killed, it is a political inconvenience but if fatalities carried any weight whatsoever, I think we'd have had much different war strategery.

The fact that returning troops are being shortchanged is pretty consistent with all previous treatment so I guess surprise is not an emotion I'd associate with this news.

The horrific stories coming out of Walter Reed may in fact do more to highlight the Bush incompetence than any other war reporting thus far. It is truly shameful to have occurred and equally shameful if not telling that no high level Bushies have forward to reassure the American public that this is not acceptable.

How long before the long knives come out for anyone talking about this one?...I'm guessing the pushback starts tomorrow. Look for calls for Hull and Priest to be investigated for obtaining unauthorized access to WR starting tomorrow..... Does it embolden the enemy to acknowledge that the people running this clusterfuck don't give a shit about soldiers in Iraq or if and when they ever return?


So sad.....Johnny Get Your Gun part deaux? (sp)

Sports Pages or Gossip Columns?

Note to NY newspaper sports pages:

We don't fucking care about A-Rod vs. Jeter. Ok? Go write for a gossip rag if that is what you want to cover. Christ, just give it a rest. I think I speak for most serious baseball fans who pick up the sports pages to see what is happening in spring training when I say....we want to read about baseball. Not that hard of concept is it?

Not Exactly DL but....

this guy Pavano is really a piece of work...or should I say lazy peice of crap...yeah, that fits a bit better...

Some Funny Stuff...

Tahiti with the Biggins..

Marathon Blogging...

I need to learn some lessons of the danger of overconfidence...a perfect day in every way..sunny and not windy....but, and a big but it is....over 80 degrees by 10 AM. Dehydration is a tough obstacle to overcome and I had a good case today. Once your mouth is bone dry, you are in the danger zone. Did the 16 but could not keep in enough fluid to keep from cramps and fatigue. It was gorgeous out but so effing hot for that many miles.

Mental disipline is waning too as I think I have peaked in my training...time to run the race before I lose the will. 2 weeks to go from here. Shin splints today also...they aren't good.

Take Five with..

The Dave Brubeck Quartet...and check the dude with the suit and the sticks....an impressive jazz drum solo back when they called each other cats and rode the H train...

My Guess is...

that this quote from the NY Times just about guarantees expanded flights....sigh...

“Attacks on coalition aircraft probably will increase if helicopter missions expand during the latest phase of the Baghdad Security Plan or if insurgents seek to emulate their recent successes,” notes the intelligence report, which analyzes the recent helicopter crashes.

Medical Science...

can we ever get enough of it? I apparently now after years of having very high cholesterol now find myself in the very low category. That's odd...

Anyway, people with very low cholesterol are at higher risk of stroke...that's weird because I always associated heart disease, stroke, blood clots, high cholesterol as part of the same type problem...but I guess not.

Other higher risks are depression, violent behavior, suicide and or homicide...hmmmm.

That last part just makes me want to kick somebody's ass.

Woodstock Blogging

One of the great if not the greatest performances from where I wish I went...Alvin Lee and Ten Years After...I'm Going Home....

Oh yeah man....it's so good.

Marathon Blogging..

Tomorrow's taper down to a nice 16 has the promise of a best yet training run. Feeling strong (gotta be careful on the beer tonight) and looking forward to weather rumored to be in the 80's and sunny. There is just nothing better than seeing all the sights in perfect weather running along the bike path in the South Bay beach cities.

Busy Days

equal what's known in the greater bloggerhood as "nomakemposten"

If I had time I may have adressed items such as:

• quick note to NY Sports Pages....the Mariano story ain't a story and flogging it doesn't make it one.
• Seen a recent pic vs. one from a year ago of Tony Snow? Not quite a fine wine.....
• WaPo's David Broder...still a geezer but now has man-crushes...

Gotta Love those...

Old fashioned family values...looks like Nino's daughter is a bit of a sauce-hound. Can't wait to see the booking photo....I'm betting she resembles a hound also. Nice touch driving it off with the kids in the car too...

The Iraq Resolution Debate

that began yesterday in the House was a study in extremes.

On one hand you had John Boehner R-OH telling us:

"If we leave, they will follow us home...it's as simple as that".

Really? If we leave the Shiites and Sunni's will come over here and continue their fight in the streets of Redondo Beach? I'd have to say that I'd be willing to take my chances on that. But as the great John Candy said in Stripes..."me, I'm a gambler". What an empty suit that guy Boehner is...hard to believe that is all they got but there you go.

On the other hand was Patrick Murphy D-PA who actually served and fought in Iraq as a member of the 82nd Airborne who said:

You know, a few blocks away from this great chamber, when you walk in the snow, is the Vietnam Memorial, where half of the soldiers listed on that wall died after America's leaders knew our strategy would not work.

It was immoral then and it would be immoral now to engage in the same delusion.

That's why Mr. Speaker, sending more troops into civil war is the wrong strategy. We need to win the War on Terror and reasonable people may disagree on what to do, but most will agree that it is immoral to send young Americans to fight and die in a conflict without a real strategy for success.

The President's current course is not resolute, it is reckless.

It would be hard to come up with a more stark contrast than Boehner/Murphy. Do the repugs think the American public can't see which is a more thoughtful position?

Quotes via Atrios

4 Words and

Hope springs eternal..."Pitchers and catchers report".

What a wonderful turn of a phrase and guaranteed to bring a smile to most knowing faces. There is nothing like the promise of spring training to bring out the optimist in most baseball fans. Tomorrow is reporting day for most clubs with the 1st workouts scheduled for Thursday.... and before we know it, opening day will be within spitting distance.

As far as the Yankees are concerned, Bernie Williams' absence is the big story right now but I think we can all agree that Carl Pavano's 1st spring injury will quickly overshadow that. The question is....will the injury occur during workouts, scrimmage, inter-squad games or an actual spring game? Let's be clear.... it is not if....it's when with this guy.

My bet is hamstring because I don't recall him having that injury as yet.

Vaguely Familiar..

As Josh correctly points out...

What it suggests is that they're getting into insurgent hands through black market channels rather than through the Iranian government itself. (Consider: How many weapons in Iraqi insurgent and militia hands do you think were made in the USA?)

And I noted last Friday...

A closer and more intellectually honest examination would probably indicate a much higher percentage of USA, Chinese and Russian arms manufacturing origin. Let's not pretend that origin equates to state sponsorship.

Beat the Press (really, please)

Atrios beats most to the punch as always but I have to chime on the utter effing lameness of the Sunday Pundolts. Gwen Ifill and Roger Simon both telling us that the Libby Traitor Trial is an "inside baseball" story that no one knows or cares about.....Uh, no actually.

It is probably emblematic in a larger context of what a sorry state the press has evolved to by largely dismissing the Wilson affair up until this trial started. Anyone who cared to look could clearly see a high level conspiracy carried out in the White House that was focused on keeping the war drums beating at all costs. Bush lied...Cheney lied...Libby lied...and they kept on lying until they had their war.

But Simon says it's a "nutty trial". I wonder if the tens of thousands of military families feel that it's "nutty"?? Probably some do but the ones that don't deserve as the rest of Americans do to know what levers were being pulled and who was pulling them.

So, don't tell me nobody cares because if that is your analysis, you are clearly a deranged half wit and should never, ever offer an opinion on anything ever again. If you cannot discern that actions of the Bush adminstration make Nixon look like a piker, you are an idiot. If you are choosing to ignore it, then you are shill.

Watergate supposedly required the "healing" of a nation if we are to believe the talking heads circa Jerry Ford's demise. What the fuck is it going to take to get over a period of our history that is exponentially worse than anything Nixon ever dreamed of?

But, yeah Roger..."its' just a nutty trial"....Asshole.

Marathon Blogging

The conclusion to my most challenging training week ended up bringing a very demanding 22. A weeks worth of antibiotics and antihistamines seems to have left me dehydrated and unable to retain very much fluid. I was soaked thru my clothes within 6 miles and everything liquid was pouring out of me. I recognized the potential for disaster and continued to hydrate as much as possible.

A 4 hour excursion with fatigue and some light-headedness but I still give it a B minus given the bronchitis/infection and suspect condition the symptoms left me in.

Weather was cooperative with temps in low 60"s and no rain as unexpected bonus. Had to walk about 1/4 mile when the slight dizziness kicked in at 20 but was able to power thru with some additional water that helped enormously.

6 hours since I got back and feeling good enough to go for dinner and sweet, sweet beer. It's all downhill from here mileage-wise as I start to taper down until race day on March 4.

This is some crazy shit though....my turn around at 11 took me to an area I ride my motorcycle to sometimes. With traffic, lights etc., I've never made it in less than 1/2 hour on the bike. That puts the distance in prospective and coming back is daunting.

Allman Bros

Acoustic is a very cool listen...

It's So Obvious...

Can't you see it??

Sec/Def Gates was in Germany at the NATO meeting selling the Iran connection in Iraq. The remnants of IED forensics indicate a small percentage of Iranian pedigree based on serial numbers etc. OK, I'm buying so far..so what?

A closer and more intellectually honest examination would probably indicate a much higher percentage of USA, Chinese and Russian arms manufacturing origin. Let's not pretend that origin equates to state sponsorship.

If that is the metric we plan to base future action on, we're gonna be attacking the shit out of ourselves.

Mushnick gets around...

to saying what I noted on Sunday...of course, he does it without cursing.....showoff.

Do I Have to Spell it Out For Ya??

(extra credit for the film reference)

At what point can we just start to call a lie..a lie? Feith is a douchebag liar and more than that he was clearly the Bushie's liar selling bullshit to drag the nation into war. Why can't the WP say that more clearly here.

Feith doesn't belong in jail because he could skate at some club-fed.....nope, he belongs in Iraq where he helped cause the death of tens of thousands.

Shamelessly Stolen..

From Alterman...thanks Eric!

Pelosi's Plane...

is a big deal to some repugs while soldiers are being killed and maimed in Iraq...but at least some of their ilk recognize the utter stupidity of this story. I wish I could say non-story but that would mean that most journalists and news organizations would have had to reject the obvious hit piece of shit....alas that was not so. Even so, Jeff Flake R-AZ had the best line about the made up and ridiculous story...

“Next week,” Representative Jeff Flake, Republican of Arizona, said, “we are going to steal their mascot and short-sheet their beds.”

funny dude who gets it...

Looks like I was

a might hasty on the Edwards backbone or lack thereof....

Like Maxwell Smart used to say..." sorry about that gorilla crack"

7 Days and counting...

until pitchers and catchers report. One of the new Yankees is already in camp and making a positive impression. Kie Igawa the Japanese free agent signing is an interesting piece to the Yankee puzzle this year.

With most of the roster spots taken, there is not alot of open questions at this years spring training. Oh sure, you have the annual pool to see when Pavano goes down with his first injury and the A-Rod 1st choke of the season to look forward to but other than that most things will probably play out as planned.

Igawa is a bit of an enigma because he has been kind of downplayed as far as expectations even though the Yankees payed big bucks to acquire the negotiation rights and ultimately sign him to a multi-year deal. He has good numbers in Japan but how they will translate is any one's guess. He won't be under the same microscope as the guy in Boston and is projected as a back of the rotation type guy.

I'm hopeful that he can fly under the radar a bit to gain some confidence and develop into a good smart lefty similar to Jimmy Key....not a lot on the fastball but great location and ability to throw strikes. I think he may be someone we will grow to enjoy watching pitch.

Edwards

screwed the pooch on this one...caving to the right wing nut jobs doesn't show me much backbone...

Johnnie, we hardly knew ya....now, we don't want to...

Libby Traitor Trial...

should be a little more interesting today with Big Tim of MTP scheduled to testify. Of course that depends on if the networks can tear themselves away from the crazy astronaut story long enough to tell anyone about it.

Sunday's MTP also looms large to see if Timmy steps up and apologizes to his audience for lying by omission for so long about his involvement and direct knowledge of the case. My bet is that he does not comport himself well on the stand or the set.

Ted Haggard is..

Cured? Apparently you can beat the gay out of someone..

Phew! What a relief. That board of four ministers appointed to cure disgraced minister Ted Haggard of his homosexuality has been meeting pretty intensively. And it turns out Haggard is now "completely heterosexual."

Rev. Tim Ralph of Larkspur, one of the four, said: ''He is completely heterosexual. That is something he discovered. It was the acting-out situations where things took place. It wasn't a constant thing.''

As part of his continuing recovery and presumably in the spirit of forgiveness and caring, the group has also recommended he leave Colorado permanently and go into a different line of work. "It's hard to heal in Colorado Springs right now," said Rev. Mike Ware of Westminster, another member of the board, "It's like an open wound. He needs to get somewhere he can get the wound healed."

-- Josh Marshall

Tell me the truth Doc....

Finally went to the doctor to see what is up with the hacking cough I've had for the last 7-8 days. Bronchitis with possible bacterial infection and fluid/mucus in lungs....hmmmm, doesn't sound great so far...

I knew something was affecting my normal breathing and this would seem to confirm that. Antibiotics, an inhaler, cough syrup with codeine and something called Entex for the mucus and cough...should fix me right up apparently.

Just in time for my most challenging training week yet. Better now than later though.

Hmmmm...

The only bet I won tonight was that Irsay and Dungy would invoke the "Lord" within 30 seconds of their remarks at the trophy presentation. I had plenty to spare on both. But, I guess that God just hates the Bears and all their fans or maybe he just loves the Colts more...I can't quite figure that part out, but apparently the Lord was primarily responsible for the the victory....

fuckin' useless players!!!...their performances are so insignificant...it's the praying and church going and incessant preaching to your uninterested neighbors that is really important in winning football games...

That's why Dungy makes the big bucks!....I always assumed that getting good players and coaching them to play well was pretty important but I'm not a christian fundamentalist so I don't know shit about football.

PS: The above sarcasm should probably supersede previous gridiron delusions of grandeur ...
....(see Bear's bet) ...but I did say the "SMART" money would be opposite of me...Indy and under.

If only someone would follow me around...then call me to advise me of what I was betting...then I could bet against myself for sure winners....seems reasonable....no?

Last of the night...

Allison sings like an angel...Dwight is pretty good too...from a Johnny Cash tribute..

Boy...

Giraffes are selfish...

The Inimitable Richard Thompson's

Acoustic artistry....1952 Vincent Black Lighting.....a hard bike to find but great song to listen to...

Marathon Blogging

Pretty good 18 today under the circumstances. Fighting the last effect of severe cold and cough....perfect weather of brilliant sunshine and 60's temps with very little wind. If not for my physical limitations it could have been an A + day...even so I give it B overall. Had a bit of hard time retaining enough fluid so I got some cramps and had some chafing but I saw a whale do half breech so that evens out.

Very big surf in the El Porto section of Manhattan Beach and the Kahunas were out doing their thing...very impressive to see up close from several vantage points that put you close to the waves. Some real sick-jobs out there for sure. People watching was outstanding and can drive you to distraction which is a good thing I guess but seems to alter your rhythm sometimes.

I think the hardest part about the long days is getting rid of the chill that takes over your body for the day. 1 tub soak and 2 showers did nicely though. Now, to the beer.....sweetmotherofgod that beautiful beer.

Last up for the evening....

Tom Russell...a great song writer and all round great guy. I think this is a traditional song but it is still hard to believe that a rooster can get you rooting for it in a song...but it can and you do.




That's Dave Alvin at the end of the clip. A big collaborator of Tom's over the years.

Joe Ely does a great version of this song also.

Look, if you put Willie with...

anyone it makes it better. When you put him with Neil, it makes it great. Period.

oh yeah....no problem and my pleasure....

Roy Buchanan...

hung himself...I'm pretty sure it wasn't because he was unhappy with his "guitaring"....make sure you catch the end...money back if not completely satisfied.

A Sad Story...

now....most likely tragic within 10 years or so. I'm guessing that no one will even remember this guys name by then. You have to hope he doesn't become the football version of Jerry Quarry.

Super Bowl Blogging...

Got Da Bears + 7 and over at 48.5....which would seem to indicate the smart money should be on Indy and under.