Articles to Check Out

I haven't been very current on current events lately, so I spent some time this afternoon catching up on reading. Here are a few articles I found interesting. Check 'em out!

Kyle Smith from the New York Post gives a look into key players from last week's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where South Dakotans Kristi Noem and John Thune both spoke. I watched some of this on C-SPAN. I don't agree with the majority of folks at this event, but they sure were entertaining, especially the Donald's speech.

Michael Gerson wrote early last week in The Washington Post about Catholic Republicans. Gerson, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, is probably my favorite conservative commentator. His pieces are always thoughtful, and this one is no exception.

Josh Verges of the local Argus Leader wrote in today's newspaper about the possibility of a (gasp) tax increase to get more revenue rather than extreme budget cuts in areas like education and social services.

Thomas Friedman looks back at the revolution in Egypt, and forward to the democracy movement's "Where do we go from here?" moment. "Here, the movement's strength- the fact that it represented every political strain, every segment and class in Egyptian society- is also its weakness" Friedman writes. "It still has no accepted political platform or leadership." I'm interested to see what happens, or doesn't happen, in Egypt in the coming days, weeks, and months.

Friedman is also right to underline the importance of Egyptian people undertaking the 18 day revolution themselves, without enough help from areas like the US State Department.

Enjoy!

Post Super Bowl Thoughts

First things first, how 'bout your boy's Super Bowl picks?! Missed the score by only 1 point (1 point!) and correctly picked Rodgers to be MVP (that one was an easy decision). Pretty proud of myself. I'd give out more picks later in this post, but they'd be so good that Vegas would catch wind and come shut me down! And since I don't want to disappoint the 3 people who read this blog, I'll hold off...for now.

Super Bowl was good. I spent much of Monday being mad at myself for missing 2 of the best moments: when Christina Aguilera sang her own version of the National Anthem, and when Cameron Diaz was shown feeding her boyfriend A-Rod popcorn. That guy just can't catch a break, and I love it. But I did catch the part of the game where the Packers won, and I was happy about that. Steelers fans should count their blessings that it wasn't a blowout, because if James Jones and Jordy Nelson had better hands, the score would've gotten out of hand.

Pittsburgh didn't deserve to win for a number of reasons. Here are three of them:

1) Their starting quarterback and face of the franchise has been accused of rape. Twice.

2) Too many turnovers. Just when the Steelers had grabbed the momentum, a devastating fumble by RB Rashard Mendenhall started the Pack on their third touchdown off a turnover.

3) Packers were obviously the better team. Pittsburgh's stars like Big Ben and Polamalu didn't show up, while Green Bay's big guys, namely Rodgers and Clay Matthews, delivered. The Pack's offensive game plan of spread 'em out and screw the run was solid (as New England drafted earlier this year vs. the Steelers), and they executed it well.

In Sunday's aftermath, the topic of ranking current and all-time quarterbacks, and players in general, has ballooned to the point that it needs to be popped. It's ridiculous. Thanks to the ESPN Podcenter page, I listen to lots of sports talk radio, so I heard these "ranking" discussions and arguments waaaay too much following the Super Bowl. It was talked about ad nauseam leading up to the game too.

Now I realize that the job of sports radio hosts and commentators is to toss out ideas and opinions and generate emotional comments from their listeners, but can't we just say that players like Roethlisberger and Rodgers and Favre are good without having to rank or compare or put them in some concrete hierarchy? There doesn't have to be a number 1, 2, and 3 player of all time at each position! These conversations really are stupid, especially when you have guys talking about how great Johnny Unitas was when he never actually watched Johnny Unitas play a game! I'll climb down from my soapbox now.

Two final things. The whole Brett Favre soap opera has been frustrating to me for the last several years, but ESPN's Mike & Mike co-host Mike Greenberg had a great idea for Brett on Monday's show. Greenberg said Favre should take out full page ads in major newspapers in and around Green Bay congratulating the Packers and Aaron Rodgers on their Super Bowl win. That's brilliant. It would be a rare classy move from Favre, and would go a long way in paving the inevitable road to him signing a one day contract with the team before retiring as a Packer later this year.

Lastly, since I went off about ranking players earlier in this post, it's only right that I include my own current NFL quarterback rankings. You know, because it's fun to be a hypocrite! This is the list of the top 5 QBs I'd want leading my team for the next 5 years. Not just next season, but for the next 5 years. Here we go.

1)Peyton Manning

2)Tom Brady

3)Drew Brees

4)Aaron Rodgers

5)Philip Rivers

Please comment and tell me your top 5. Thanks for reading!

Caps Win and Super Bowl XLV Pick

Even though the Caps beat the Penguins today minus stars Crosby and Malkin, it was still a big win for the Caps. Backup goalie Michal Neuvirth was terrific, and the whole defense was solid, particularly in the second and third periods, when they played without Mike Green. Hopefully the last two wins, against contenders Tampa Bay and Shitsburgh, will propel the Caps toward another Southeast Division title.

But today is about the Super Bowl. In that spirit, here are my picks:

Packers: 31

Steelers: 26

MVP: Aaron Rodgers

I've been to Shitsburgh twice, and enjoyed my stay both times, but nothing would make me happier than seeing the Penguins and Steelers lose big games on the same day. Go Pack Go!

Caps Running Journal Continued

8:25- 3rd period underway. Canadian announcers just mentioned the Caps were outshot 15-6 in the 2nd. Wow, can't repeat that and win this one.

8:28- Holy Shit! Ovechkin just flipped Habs Defenseman P.K. Subban on a hit, then drew a penalty from Subban! Could be a momentum shifter...

8:30- Well, so much for the momentum. Caps lose the power play as Brooks Laich gets his 2nd penalty tonight.

8:34- Varlamov is really playing well tonight. Keeping the Caps in it. I like Varly, so hopefully this and more similar performances will quiet the critics who think the Caps need to trade for a more experienced goalie to advance in the playoffs.

8:45- Not much action, and not much Caps offense. Varly still solid, best player for the Caps tonight.

8:50- Action starting to perk up. Each team getting an exciting chance, but these goaltenders are keeping their teams in it.

8:52- Habs get ANOTHER power play after Laich's 3rd penalty tonight. Hey Bruce, how bout not playing Brooks anymore tonight.

8:54- Caps LW Jason Chimera denied on a short-handed breakaway. Announcers just said that other NHL players voted Chimera one of the fastest skaters in the league. Huh, I wouldn't have guessed that. Good info Canadian announcers.

8:58- End of Regulation. Disappointing for the Caps after their early 2-0 lead.

9:00- Overtime. 4 on 4 hockey! Should favor the Caps, but they don't start with Ovechkin and Backstrom out there. Curious move by Bruce. Maybe sending a message?

9:06- Two good chances for the Caps in OT so far, but they can't light the lamp.

9:07- Pileup in the crease as OT ends! Caps were so close! Habs Goalie Price fell down as John Carlson lined up a shot, but it hit a Habs Defenseman. And we're going to a shootout!

9:10- Nicklas Backstrom hit the post! Had Price beat, but no goal.

9:11- Habs score, 1-0.

9:12- Varly stones Habs Defenseman James Wisniewski. Caps are still alive!

9:12- Caps are dead as Price stones Ovechkin to end the shootout. Caps continue to struggle, fall 3-2 in shootout.

Thank you for reading the initial Caps Running Journal! Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions. This is something I'd like to continue doing, and I want it to be readable and helpful. Hope to hear from you!

Caps Running Journal

In the first game after the All-Star Break, the Caps take on last year's playoff nemesis, the Montreal Canadiens. This is an important game for the Caps, because they're at home and they need a win to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Southeast Division. To the game!

Note: I'll post the time at the beginning of each entry. Time is CST.

6:33- I'm watching this game online, so I've got a Canadian crew broadcasting, and their announcer just said that the Caps aren't really ready to compete in the NHL because they're too young. What? They won the President's Cup last year! Freakin' Canadians.

6:43- And we're underway! Not a good start as the Caps have a bad early turnover, but a nice save by goalie Semyon Varlamov keeps it even.

6:45- GOAL! Young Caps Center Mathieu Perreault tallies the important first score. I love Perreault as a player, he always seems to make things happen out there.

6:52- Caps continue their power play struggles.

6:53- GOAL!! In my face! Mike Knuble puts it away with a great pass from Mike Green. It's

2-0 Caps and Perreault was involved again with a nifty give and go. First power play goal in 6 games for the Caps.

6:55- One thing I love about hockey: the PA guy announces the goal scorer afterwards, firing the crowd up again.

6:58- Habs (Canadiens) hit the post, they're getting good looks on their power play.

7:06- My friend Mark texts me, "first good first period they had all year."

7:08- With 4:22 left in the first, the Caps need to finish strong here.

7:10- Habs get another power play. Crap. So much for finishing strong.

7:14- Caps kill the power play after a good clear by LW Brooks Laich.

7:16- Ovechkin draws a stupid slashing penalty as the first period ends. The Habs player flopped like he was shot. Good first period overall for the Caps, but 2 bad penalties to close.

7:38- 2nd period underway, and 3 good saves already in the first 4 minutes for the Russian Varlamov.

7:46- Tampa Bay leads Philly 3-0. Bad news for the Caps.

7:47- More bad news for the Caps as #21 Brian Gionta scores to cut the lead to 2-1.

7:49- Even MORE bad news as the Habs go on the power play.

7:55- Great 8 (Ovechkin) more aggressive this shift, leading two separate rushes.

7:58- Terrific save by Habs Goalie Carey Price on a shot by Boyd Gordon.

8:01- Caps with a great but fruitless chance after a fancy move by Ovi in front.

8:03- Damnit! Habs tie the game on 2nd Gionta goal after a careless drop pass by Caps Defenseman John Carlson.

8:05- The tables have turned completely here in the 2nd period. Habs playing with energy and momentum.

8:07- End of 2nd period. Game tied 2-2. BIG 3rd period ahead for the Caps.

State of the Union

President Obama just finished his third State of the Union address, and boy was it boring. Good thing some members of Congress sat with a date during the speech, so they could nap on each other's shoulders. Seriously, I did think the speech was boring. It was also necessary, and good.

"We are poised for progress" President Obama told us, and then mapped out a plan for progress full of investments in education, research, and innovation. Except for the final five minutes, the speech focused exclusively on the economy, jobs, and American's exceptional spirit. So much for the Republican argument that President Obama doesn't believe in American exceptionalism. The president talked about America's exceptional workers, scientists, and colleges for nearly half the speech. It wasn't a raucous crowd, but that section sure felt like a pep rally.

Speaking of Republicans, I enjoyed Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan's Republican Response. I listened intently, but am confused. Rep. Ryan said during the speech that Americans are living in a time of "unlimited prosperity" but are headed toward a "day of reckoning." (Yikes!) How is that the case? More important: how should I be feeling, happy or scared? Since it was the Republican Response, I'll assume I should be scared.

Also, I don't understand why Republicans continue to harp on our national debt. They tell us about it over and over. We get it more so than they do. For example, the recent tax deal between President Obama and House Republicans continued to give tax cuts to the richest of rich Americans, those who earn over $250K annually. That deal adds over $700 million to our deficit, which is different from the debt, but still adds to it. If they were really serious about eliminating debt, then why was that such a vital issue to them? In addition, talking about the debt is not an effective strategy to attract new voters. If it was, then no Republicans would be left after President Bush's two terms, two wars, and massive tax breaks skyrocketed our national debt.

Lastly, I want everyone to know that I love Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell. Just love him. When asked what he thought of the speech by NBC's Brian Williams, the first thing Rendell said was that President Obama missed an opportunity by not talking seriously about gun control in tonight's speech. Just because it (gun control legislation) might not happen doesn't mean that it isn't the right thing to do was Rendell's sentiment, and I agree wholeheartedly. I can understand why the president didn't address gun control, but I respect the hell out of Gov. Rendell for bringing up the issue immediately. Kudos to him.

The Forever War

"Perhaps in the hideous present some larger good was being born, struggling painfully and awfully, but coming into the world just the same. And perhaps this new world might one day justify the death and suffering unfolding below...."

-Dexter Filkins, The New York Times

There are still 101 pages left in Dexter Filkins's The Forever War, but I've read enough to know that it is a great and important book. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not at the front of our national consciousness. But just because they don't dominate the headlines doesn't mean they are over. As veteran journalist Tom Brokaw wrote before November's elections, "No decision is more important than committing a nation to war. It is, as politicians like to say, about our blood and treasure. Surely blood and treasure are worthy of more attention than they've been getting in this campaign."

Tomorrow night is President Obama's third State of the Union address. The speech will most likely focus on economic topics like jobs and the upcoming Congressional battles on spending. But what about the real battles? Will we hear about our president's plans for the wars, other than sure-to-change timetables and assurances that those who do evil will be brought to justice? I hope so.

These wars have been costly, both in American dollars and American lives. The Forever War highlights the painful realities of both. Every story Filkins's tells reminds me. I hope the last 101 pages are as good as the 244 before them. I'll let you know.