Cardinals 24, Dolphins 21

The Cardinals remain unbeaten today as they knock off Dolphins 24-21 in overtime Glendale.  It was a pretty lackluster performance by the Cardinals, especially in the first half, I think they took the Dolphins lightly and you really can't take anyone lightly in the NFL.  Injuries are also starting to take their toll.  Kevin Kolb's late INT in the end zone almost killed them.  Had they had a healthy Beanie Wells I highly doubt that they would have been passing in that situation.  Luckily the defense came through with a key interception in overtime and they were able to get into good enough field position to try a game winning field goal by Jay Feeley.  4-0!  I'll take it!

Observations:

• Kevin Kolb seems to perform much better in the no huddle offense.  
• 8 sacks by the Dolphins today, the Cardinal offensive tackles are frustrating to watch. 
• Adrian Wilson was a beast today.  10 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 3 PD, 2 QB hits. 
• 8 catches for Fitz, that's now 121 games in a row with at least 1 catch.  
• Dave Zastudil has done a heckuva job punting the ball this year.  
• I'd deal Kevin Kolb or John Skelton for Ryan Tannehill.  How about it Dolphins?
• No Beanie Wells once again, that hurts, they need him healthy.  
• Todd Heap out again too, I'm guessing he's not back next year.  It's Rob Housler time.
• Who the heck is Brian Hartline?  12 catches, 253 yards, 1 TD.
• Up next?  @ St. Louis to take on the Rams on Thursday night.

Vikings 20, Lions 13

The Vikings improve to 3-1 with a 20-13 win over the Lions today in Detroit.  They played some old school football today, pound the rock, solid defense, don't turn the ball over, limit penalties, excel at special teams.  Overall, a solid (yet not a spectacular) division win on the road, I'll take it.  First place after 4 weeks, enjoy it while you can! 

Observations:

• A Viking offensive TD would have been nice. 
• A kick return and a punt return for a TD in the same game?  By different players?  Wow!
• Percy Harvin is without a doubt the Vikings MVP at the 1/4 point in the season. 
• I'm comfortable calling Blair Walsh an upgrade over Ryan Longwell.  Deep kickoffs to boot.  
• The Vikings OL & secondary are both vastly improved from last year.  
• Rookie CB Josh Robinson looks like a player.  That roughing call was B.S.
• Lions WR Calvin Johnson is just a monster.  The 'Megatron' nickname really fits him.
• The Vikings didn't take advantage of the Lions depleted secondary as much as they should have.
• Welcome back Jerome Simpson. That's how you stretch the field.
• Up next?  Tennessee Titans in Minneapolis. 

Sarah Silverman on Voter ID Laws

Arizona St 27, California 17

Arizona State knocked off Cal 27-17 in Berkley today to improve to 4-1 on the season.  It wasn't pretty, they made some mistakes but anytime they can come home from Berkley with a win they'll take it.  They do need some work on their red zone offense, they ended up leaving many point on the field and let Cal stay close when they really had no business staying close, that can't be happening when they get into the meat of the PAC-12 schedule.  Nice conference, road victory!   

Observations:

• Will Sutton PAC-12 Defensive POY?  It's not out of the realm of possibility.   
• Total Yards:   ASU 409, Cal 285.   
• It was nice to see some production out of RB Cameron Marshall.  
• 6 sacks by the Sun Devils, I'm loving their aggressive defense. 
• Too many points were left on the field by ASU today (3 missed FG's). 
• Only 2 penalties for ASU, that's an astounding improvement from last year. 
• Bigger surprise, Taylor Kelly, Chris Coyle or Chris Young?  
• Taylor Kelly is a surprisingly effective punter.  Who knew.  Pretty solid QB too. 
• Still no deal between Directv & the PAC-12 Network.  Thank heavens for FX. 
• Up next?  @ Colorado on Thursday 10/11 on ESPN.

Minnesota 13, Iowa 31

So much for an undefeated Gopher season as Iowa pummels them 31-13 in Iowa City today.  Minnesota drops to 4-1 on the season.  Welcome back to reality Minnesota fans.  I was sensing trouble all week, Minnesota is a bit undersized along the defensive line and Iowa is for the most part a power running team, that's not a good match up for Minnesota.  The Gophers injury depleted OL and WR corps also had me concerned about their offense.  On the bright side, they have next week off to get healthy and regroup, then have Northwestern at home in 2 weeks.    

Observations:

• So long 'Floyd of Rosedale'.  Hopefully, it won't be a long stay in Iowa City. 
• WTF is a Mark Weisman?   1 TD, 177 yards rushing??? 
• Max Shortell was again very erratic on his passes.  I'm guessing we'll see MarQueis Gray lining up at QB against Northwestern. The door is open for Philip Nelson to start next year too. 
• Punter Christian Eldred was the only bright spot I saw out there today. 
• Where for art though James Gillum?  
• You don't win many games turning the ball over 4 times. 
• Way too many dropped passes for Minnesota, the WR's really need to step it up. 
• Joey Balthazor wore Gary Tinsley's rotating number 51 today.
• Glen Mason flashbacks anyone?  Beat up on weaker non-conference opponents, then struggle in B1G play.  I guess that is still a vast improvement over the past couple years though. 
• Up next?  Northwestern @ TCF Bank Stadium in 2 weeks. 

Wake The Fuck Up!

POTpourri

• Elizabeth Warren expresses support for medicinal marijuana.  
• NFL and Referee's come to agreement!  Lockout over! 
• Small business owners now favor Obama over Romney. 
• Does it get any better than sexy girls playing Madden 2013?
• RIP Andy Williams & Corrie Sanders.  
• Windows that roll down on airplanes?   Really Mitt? 
• The ER as health insurance?  Really Mitt?   
• Does President Obama skip his intelligence meetings? 
• I was late to the game on "The Walking Dead", I can't wait for season 3 now.
• Did Mahmoud Ahmadinejad endorse Mitt Romney? 

Senator James Inhofe

Are you familiar with him?   He's a 3 term Republican Senator from Oklahoma.  He is the current ranking minority party member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.  That committee primarily deals with matters related to the environment and infrastructure.  Inhofe has also been rated as one of the most conservative members of congress, he is a denier of global warming, he's decidedly anti-science, he's a believer in creationism, he wants to cripple the Environmental Protection Agency, he wants to defund clean energy programs, he's a big supporter of offshore drilling and of less regulation on fossil fuels.  He would also become head of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works should Republicans gain control of the U.S. Senate.   Do you really want this man dictating our energy/environmental policy?  If so, go ahead and vote Republican, you'll get the environment that you deserve.  If on the other hand, his appointment scares you as much as it scares me, I strongly urge you to vote Democrat (and not just in Oklahoma, please look at the big picture).

Stewart Calls Obama Lucky Dude

Segments like this are why Jon Stewart keeps winning Emmy Award's. 

The Daily Show

Fire Ron Gardenhire?

The Minnesota Twins are on the verge of having the worst record in the American League for the second straight year.  This got me to wondering, should someone pay the price for that?  Specifically the person who has the most direct impact on how the team performs on the field, manager Ron Gardenhire?   It doesn't sound like his job is in jeopardy but should it be?  How long can they go on blaming Bill Smith for all of their problems?  I don't doubt that Gardenhire's a good manager, he's been successful overall with the Twins, he was just named Manager of the Year in 2010 (and he's finished runner up 5 times), if he was let go he'd have no trouble finding another managers job.  I guess the question I have with him is not whether or not he can still manage, it's whether or not the team is still responding to his managerial style, have they started to tune him out?  Maybe some fresh blood in there could revitalize them.  Maybe a fresh approach is needed.   I know there's a "Twins Way" of doing things, but it hasn't been too successful as of late, maybe it's time to re-think the "Twins Way" of doing things.  I'm really not advocating that they fire him, I don't know that anyone else could have done much better with the squads they've been running out there lately, but if they did make a move, I could certainly understand the thought process. 

VS Pink Does NFL

I like!

POTpourri

• Does marijuana slow the growth of cancer? 
• Did you see Mitt Romney defending income redistribution?
• Was Mitt Romney wearing a bronzer on Univision??? 
• Candice Swanepoel kinda topless!!!
• Tell me again why veterans support the Republican party?
• Tell me again why farmers support the Republican party? 
• Should the GOP be blaming Fox News for the inept Romney campaign?
• Do you change the country from the inside or the outside?  Come again Mitt?
• 2012 Emmy Award winners can be found here. 
• Even Bill Kristol thinks we are better off than we were four years ago. 

AZ Tidbit

• Has Richard Carmona passed Jeff Flake in the polls?
• Suns Channing Frye sidelined indefinitely due to enlarged heart? 
• How to get around the AZCentral paywall here.
• You can fact check the anti-Ann Kirkpatrick ad here.  
• TripAdvisor ranks the W Scottsdale as 2nd Trendiest hotel in the U.S. 
• Have you met Troy & Marcus from Scottsdale?
• Did you catch Anthony Robles on "The Tonight Show"? 
• The deadline to register to vote in AZ is October 8.  Please register, please vote!
• Is Obama back in play in Arizona?  Hopefully.  Momentum is building.
• Lower property taxes in Arizona in 2012! 

The Undecided Voter

I know many of them see themselves as pragmatic and open minded but I feel otherwise.  How can anyone not know who they're voting for yet?  What are they waiting for?  Don't they have any core principals?  Don't they watch the news or read the newspapers (or internet)?  You'd think by now they would have formed some sort of opinion on which course or direction that they want the country to take.

Oh hell, Bill Maher & SNL can say it better than I can:

Cardinals 27, Eagles 6

The Cardinals dominated the Eagles 27-6 today to move to 3-0 on the season.  This is the first time the Cardinals have started the season 3-0 since 1974.  The defense was the story again for the Cardinals, they flat out dominated.  They just play so fast and aggressive, it's so fun to watch.  Michael Vick was getting just abused out there.  I like the way this season is shaping up, they've got the Dolphins, Rams, Bills & Vikings coming up next, those games are all winnable, it's not inconceivable that they start the season 7-0.

Observations:

• Kerry Rhodes is playing at a Pro Bowl level. 
• Darryl Washington was everywhere once again.  
• Kevin Kolb had probably his best game as a Cardinal, he looked much more poised in the pocket than I've seen him since joining the Cardinals, his passes were also sharp, crisp and on the mark. I don't see how John Skelton gets his starting job back. 
• It'd be nice to see Beanie Wells go through a season without an injury.  
• The replacement referees did not have a good game.  
• Nice game for Larry Fitzgerald (9 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD).  
• James Sanders looks to have been a nice free agent pick up.
• Was that a Ryan Williams sighting?  13 carries, 83 yards.
• I really like the Cardinals black jerseys.  
• Up next?  Miami @ University of Phoenix Stadium, in Glendale, AZ. 

Vikings 24, 49ers 13

The Vikings shock the 49ers 24-13 today in Minneapolis to improve to 2-1 on the season.  It's probably a bit early in the season for this to be considered a trap game but I think that's exactly what it was for the 49ers, they were playing on the road, they were coming off 2 impressive wins to open the season, they were playing against a less talented team, I think they took the Vikings lightly and they paid the price for it.  That being said, it was also the best game that the Vikings have played in quite some time.  It was a nice win, against a quality improvement, they appear to be moving in the right direction.

Observations:

• Only 1 penalty for the Vikings, that's a huge improvement over last week. 
• I've been impressed with rookie DB Harrison Smith thus far this season.
• The Vikings CB play is vastly improved from the end of last year.   
• The Vikings have to do better on their kick coverage units. 
• The replacement referee's were not kind to the Vikings.
• DE Jared Allen finally gets his first sack of the season and it's a big one.
• WTF Toby Gerhart?  Hold onto the damn rock.  
• Jerome Simpson will be eligible next week, they desperately need his ability to stretch the field.
• The Vikings really need to incorporate TE John Carlson into the offense. 
• Was that Josh Duhmel on the Vikings sidelines blowing the gjallarhorn?  
• Up next? @ Detroit to take on the Lions.

Gangnam Style

It's sweeping the world!  It's now the most 'liked' video in YouTube history. 

Arizona St 37, Utah 7

The Sun Devils knocked off Utah 37-7 Saturday night to move to 3-1 on the season.  It was another impressive victory for Todd Graham.  I'm not sure what happened last week but outside of that one game they have been unstoppable.  They are moving into the meat of their schedule, they'll be an interesting team to watch.  Hopefully, they can cure their road woes and put together a nice stretch run.  So far?  I'm impressed, they are a fun team to watch. 

Observations:

• Taylor Kelly continues to shine, 19-26 for 326 yards, 3 TD's, 0 INT's.
• ASU outgained Utah 512 yards to 209 yards.  
• DT Will Sutton continues to play like a beast, he has really upped his game this year.
• DB Chris Young is a force in the secondary, he could be playing on Sundays. 
• ASU scored on 5 of it's first 6 possessions of the game.
• It was good to see a little more of Cameron Marshall but they can still obviously get more out of him and I think they will as the season progresses.  Marshall BTW moved into 3rd place all time for rushing TD's for ASU.  
• No turnovers by ASU for the first time this year.
• DE Junior Onyeali is really coming on after a slow start to the season. 
• RB D.J. Foster continues to impress as well, he's a really good freshman. 
• Still no deal between the PAC-12 Network & Directv.  Greedy SOB's. 
• Up next?  @ California.

Minnesota 17, Syracuse 10

The Gophers move to 4-0 tonight with a 17-10 win over Syracuse.  Pay no attention to the final score, the Gophers were in control of this game pretty much from the beginning (plus Syracuse scored a TD with less than a minute to play).  They've now surpassed last seasons win total!   It was as impressive a defensive performance that I can recall seeing the Gophers play.  They were really swarming to the ball, they just look so much faster and more athletic than last year, they were really wreaking havoc.  5 turnovers, 3 sacks, 5 TFL's, constant pressure, tight coverage from the secondary, you had to be impressed.  Syracuse had been averaging 33 points a game too up until this point, so they're no slouches.  I can feel the momentum building.

Observations:

• QB Max Shortell had a decent game, especially considering the fact that Syracuse seemed to be blitzing every play, he was a bit erratic at times though.  He definitely didn't grab ahold of the starting job from the injured MarQueis Gray. 
• RB Donnell Kirkwood continues to impress, he runs so hard every time he touches the ball. 
• True freshman DT Scott Ekpe had a nice game, I noticed him on several occasions.
• I think it may be time to give Chris Hawthorne another shot at the kicking job.  Jordan Wettstein has really struggled this year. 
• The Gophers kick coverage units tonight were very impressive, they were flying down the field.
• The Gophers left some points on the field (2 missed FG's, 1 TD called back by penalty).
• It was so nice to see TCF Bank Stadium filled to the rafters with a loud boisterous crowd.  What a wonderful atmosphere!  
• I loved seeing all of the walk-ons/former walk-ons getting action (AJ Barker, Derek Engle, Aaron Hill, Caleb Bak, Jon Christensen et al), that's a great way to attract top preferred walk-on talent.
• Aaron Hill wore Gary Tinsley's rotating number 51 tonight.
• It was nice seeing Tyrone Carter roaming the sidelines.
• Up next?  @ Iowa to kick off the Big Ten season. 

Is Mitt Qualified To Be President?

"I don't pay more than are legally due and frankly if I had paid more than are legally due I don't think I'd be qualified to become president. I'd think people would want me to follow the law and pay only what the tax code requires."    Mitt Romney  (07/2012)

Flash forward to yesterday when Mitt Romney released his 2011 tax return and lo and behold he paid more than he had too.  By his own standards, doesn't that disqualify him to be President? 

Voter Protection or Voter Suppression

If you can't beat them fairly, block them from voting.

Romney and Fact Checkers

“We’re not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact-checkers,”
 - Neil Newhouse, a Romney pollster.

That quote just blows me away, why are they so afraid of facts?   Is that really the type of President you want?   How could you trust anything he told you?   Wow, just wow!  

SNL Spoofs 'Fox & Friends'

Kind of spot on if you ask me. 

POTpourri

• Mitt "Thurston Howell" Romney thinks 47% of voters are free loaders. 
• Who are Mitt Romney's 47% anyways?  Who's being divisive now?
• WTF is up with that neck tattoo Chris Brown? 
• Another debate!  Jon Stewart vs Bill O'Reilly.   
• RIP Steve Sabol.  
• Everybody should have the utmost respect for Aung San Suu Kyi.   
• Just how objective do you think Fox New really is?
• Do welfare recipients vote in droves?  Hardly.
• An Obama Supreme Court vs a Romney Supreme Court? 
• Are conservative bloggers losing this election for Mitt Romney?

Fabulous!

Thank heavens for Victoria's Secret!   

10 Worst GOP Pundits

They're bombastic, they're partisan, they're polarizing, they're just plain not good for our country.  The worst of them?  Just one man's opinion:

1. Rush Limbaugh - You could make the case that the current Republican push for ideological purism can be traced to Rush Limbaugh.  Ironically, that could be the reason for their downfall too.   
2. Karl Rove - Why people still respect his opinion after the Bush fiasco is beyond me but he still yields a tremendous amount of power within the Republican party.
3. Glenn Beck - His influence has waned some since he lost his FOX television show but the 'fringe right' still seems to love him of some unknown reason. He really 'cashed in' on the Tea Party craze.
4. Sean Hannity - Mr Talking Point, he hasn't had an original idea in years.  Right wing politicians line up for his soft-ball interviews.  
5. Michelle Malkin - Best known for her contrarian position on anything and everything Democratic, nothing is too large or too small in her disdain of liberals.   
6. Ann Coulter - Known for her outrageous, often times vile, attacks on Democrats. She knows how to keep her name in the news and thus the money flowing into her coffers. 
7. Bill O'Reilly - Megalomanical, condescending Fox television bully, his "No Spin Zone" is nothing but conservative spin. 
8. Michael Savage - Right wing radio hate talker, he's been spewing right wing bile and hate for years now.  Anti-Muslim, Anti-Immigrant, Anti-Big Government, Anti-Anything Liberal. 
9. Sarah Palin - What are her qualifications anyways?  Failed VP nominee?  Failed Governor?  Small town mayor?  Why should anyone care about her opinions?
10. Laura Ingraham - She seems to have some distorted view of reality, one in which there is some magical Republican utopia.  

For the record, I don't think most of them actually believe most of what they are saying, how could they possibly believe some of it, they're just capitalists, they see a need and they fill it, and then laugh all way to the bank.   

Romney Fundraising Video

Is this someone you really want in the White House.



If so, you had better do some soul searching because he is one despicable character.  He obviously disdains working class people.  Wake up people, I'm talking about you red states, he doesn't care about you.  His lack of sympathy for those working women is China is also inexcusable.

POTpourri

• Mitt Romney again shows how out of touch he really is. 
• New study finds tax cuts for the wealthy don't stimulate the economy. 
• Thank you Nora O'Donnell for being real good at your job.
• Is there a link between Marijuana and testicular cancer?
• More Doutzen Kroes bikini pictures here!!   More Candice too!
• Court strikes down Wisconsin's anti collective bargaining law.
• Are Elliott Spitzer and Glenn Beck really going to debate each other?
• What exactly is Mitt Romney basing his tax policy on?
• Anti-Putin protests still running strong in Russia.
• 50 Steamy Movie Lingerie scenes here!

AZ Tidbits

• Phoenix Coyotes re-sign Shane Doan.  
• Scottsdale & Mesa ranked amongst the top "Sleepless Cities". 
• Are the Suns interested in bringing back Leandro Barbosa?
• Arizona driver's rank 30th in Driver Misery rankings.
• Will Richard Carmona be Arizona's first latino Senator?
• 3 Diamondback minor league affiliates win league championships.
• Will Mike Stauffer help get Joe Arpaio re-elected Sheriff?
• Arizona Diamondbacks 2013 schedule announced. 
• You can find Arizonans on college football rosters here.
• Arizona ranked 1st in cuts to schools. 

Are You Better Off?

I don't know about you, but I just looked at my 401K statement and I am without a doubt better off than I was four years ago.  No doubt some people are still struggling but I think that it's a hard argument to make to claim that the vast majority of people are worse off today than when President Obama took office. 



Plus, let us not forget, many of the problems that we are facing today are the direct result of 1) past Republican policies and 2) the Republicans current strategy of obstructing and blaming.

Cardinals 20, Patriots 18

The Cardinals shocked the Patriots 20-18 today in Foxborough, MA.  No offense to Kevin Kolb but the defense won this game, they are really getting after it.   I think Ray Horton is positioning himself very well for a head coaching job next season.  The Cardinals are now 2-0 and in first place!  If they win next week and start 3-0, it will be the first time they have started 3-0 since moving to Arizona in 1988?  I really think they are just consistent QB play away from the playoffs.  Who that QB is, is still up to debate.

Observations:

• Kevin Kolb got the start at QB, he did a nice job of managing the offense.  
• Hold on to the ball Ryan Williams.  2 weeks, 2 fumbles.
• Total Yards:  Cardinals 245, Patriots 387.  
• Was that Patrick Peterson running the Wild Cat?  Err Pat Cat? 
• The OL looked better today but there is still lots of room for improvement.   
• Andre Roberts is developing into a pretty nice WR.  
• Chandler Jones of the Patriots is a pretty impressive looking rookie. 
• Nice game Darryl Washington.  13 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD.  
• Quentin Groves looks to have been a nice pickup.  
• A healthy Todd Heap can still contribute.  He moved into the NFL All Time number 12 position for receiving yards by a TE today.
• Up next?  The Eagles @ University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. 

Vikings 20, Colts 23

The Vikings fall to the hapless Colts 23-20 today in Indianapolis on a late Colts FG.  It was a very winnable game for the Vikings, they just continually shot themselves in the foot.  Their late rally was nice but they really need to start playing a complete 60 minutes. This loss drops the Vikings to 1-1 on the season, if they had any illusions of sneaking up on teams and surprising anyone this season this game was a real must win. 

Observations:

• Percy Harvin is by far the best player in a Vikings uniform right now.  
• Christian Ponder really needs to play better.  I still have a lot of concern about his ability to stretch the field, everything he threw seemed to be underneath, they took very few deep shots and on those they did take his accuracy was lacking.  I'm not yet sold. 
• Enough with the mental mistakes, you're not a good team, your margin of error is very small. 
• I was impressed with Andrew Luck, he's going to be a good QB for a long time to come. 
• Jerome Simpson is very much needed right about now in this offense.  
• Blair Walsh continues to be a nice weapon on field goals and kickoffs. 
• Celebrity dopelganger?  Andrew Luck and Joel David Moore.   
• The final 2 offensive possessions of the first half really killed the Vikings. 
• I don't think Jared Allen will even sniff that sack record this year.  No sacks as of yet. 
• Up next?  The 49ers in Minneapolis next Sunday.

Smart People and Conservatives

This about says it all, "we will never have the elite, smart people on our side".   Why would you vote for a party that doesn't have the smart people on it's side?   Don't you want to be on the side of the smart people? 

Arizona St 20, Missouri 24

ASU falls to Missouri 24-20 today in their first road test of the year.  They just built themselves too big of a hole to climb out of, they were trailing 24-7 at one point in the second half, they made a game of it late though.  The dreaded missed extra point really came back to haunt them late in the game as they would have been a chip shot away from tying the game late (instead forcing them to go for a TD late).  They showed a lot of heart in fighting back, they have no one to blame but themselves though (they had 4 turnovers), it was a winnable game. 

Observations:

• You had to be impressed with QB Taylor Kelly, he showed a lot of poise down the stretch getting the Sun Devils back into the game.
• Welcome back Brandon Magee, nice to see you on the field.
• Where for art though Cameron Marshall?   
• Mike Pennel really stood out to me, he played well at DT.  
• Missouri played without starting QB James Franklin. 
• ASU needs to do a better job running the ball  (113 yards on 31 carries, just a 3.1 average). 
• Chris Young is really becoming a force in the Sun Devil secondary.   
• Missouri DT Sheldon Richardson is a monster. 
• Still no PAC-12 Network deal with Directv?  What's up with that?
• Up next?  PAC12 opener @ Sun Devil Stadium against Utah. 

Minnesota 28, Western Michigan 23

The Gophers knocked off Western Michigan 28-23 in Minneapolis today to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2008!   They are now half way to bowl eligibility.  I think we may have QB controversy on our hands too.  Max Shortell relieved an injured MarQueis Gray and really seemed to ignite the Gophers  struggling offense.  They had just become too one dimensional with Gray at QB, Shortell's passing ability really opened things up for them.   It'll be interesting to see what Jerry Kill does when Gray is healthy.

Observations:

• TPSG Game Ball goes to A.J. Barker, he was channeling Eric Decker today, 5 catches for 101 yards and 3 TD's.  Not bad for a walk-on.  He's really come out of nowhere, I didn't realize that he had the Minnesota state high school record for receiving yards. 
• Donnell Kirkwood really ran the ball well today (23 carries, 110 yards).  
• Props to Michael Carter, he had a nice game at CB today.  
• Spencer Reeves wore Gary Tinsley's rotating number 51 today. 
• It was good to see Bobby Bell roaming the sidelines.    
• I've got to believe that Western Michigan QB Alex Carder will get a shot at the next level. 
• Gophers need to tighten things up, there were way too many penalties today (9 for 56 yards).
• The kicking game really needs to get better.
• No BTN on the Dish Network?  WTF?  BTN needs to work out their technical kinks too.
• Up next?  Syracuse @ TCF Bank Stadium next Saturday in Minneapolis. 

Where Are The Romney Tax Returns?

I don't know about you, but I'd like to know.

POTpourri

• Mitt Romney proves again that he is not ready to be President.   
• Rence Pribus is in way over his head too.  
• UConn head basketball coach Jim Calhoun announces his retirement. 
• More Candice Swanepoel here!  I just can't get enough! 
• Apple reveals the new iPhone5.  
• Olate Dogs wins 'America's Got Talent'.
• Am I wasting my money on Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements? 
• Hello Doutzen Kroes!  Looking good!  
• Are you familiar with the Zipper Merge?  
• Arab countries should save their outrage for the massacre of Muslims in Syria. 

Obamacare Rammed Down Our Throats?

I'm still hearing commercials proclaiming that Obamacare was rammed down our throats.  When will this end?  Could somebody also please explain to me how it was actually rammed down our throats?

Didn't President Obama make healthcare reform a central part of his election campaign in 2008?  And he did win the election correct?   Didn't voters also elect a Democratic majority in the House and Senate in 2008?  Doesn't that imply that voters were aware of the possibility that healthcare would be reformed?  And that they were okay with it?  And just maybe wanted it?  Elections can have consequences you know.

When Obamacare went up for a vote in the house and the senate, didn't it also get a majority of the vote?  Isn't that what they call democracy?  Do not let the bastardization of the filibuster rule by the Republican's fool you, the Affordable Care Act should have only required a majority of the vote, which it received, in the house and the senate.  It wasn't the founding fathers intent that you win a super majority to pass a bill, it was their intent that a bill win with the majority of the vote, which Obamacare did.  No ramming here.

I will readily admit that the Tea Party did a masterful job of  sowing discontent for Obamacare with their storming of town hall meetings, they were loud, they were angry, they got people's attention.  Republican front groups also spent an extraordinary amount of money in opposition to it?  Conservative commentators continually vilified it too.  Keep in mind though, they also massively misled and distorted people about what it really did (remember the 'Death Panels'?), and you know what?  The more people actually found out what's included in Obamacare the more they like it.  Please don't confuse the discontent of a loud vocal minority for actual discontent of the masses

The Supreme Court has also ruled on it's validity.  The claim that it's unconstitutional now also has no validity.  It's constitutional, it was passed by duly elected members of congress who were put in place at least partially to reform our failing healthcare system (that Republicans had 8 years to do before President Obama even taking office by the way) and the public likes it.  What's the issue?   

So again I ask, how was this actually rammed down our throats?

Bill Moyers on Plutonomy

We can do better.   

POTpourri

• Romney election would sink U.S. reputation in Europe. 
• Is the filibuster unconstitutional?  I tend to think so.  
• 7 Post First Date Do's & Don'ts here. 
• Are Republicans causing a moral crisis in America?
• 'Saturday Night Live' adds 3 new cast members.  
• Ever wonder what those rich GOP donors are buying? 
• I'm really pulling for Royce White to succeed in the NBA. 
• Book recommendation:  Craig Unger's "Boss Rove''. 
• Al Pacino as Joe Paterno?  I can see it.
• Is Joe Scarborough eying an 2016 Presidential run?

Building Own Coffin

Pretty effective.

AZ Tidbits

• Judge okays 'show me your papers' provision of SB1070.
• Could the Suns make a run at James Harden next off season? 
• Gabrielle Giffords was a hit at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. 
• Arizona State basketball adds Eric Musselman & Larry Greer to coaching staff.
• Romney still leads Obama in latest Arizona polls. 
• The Arizona Diamondbacks farm system ranked #3 overall by MLB.com.
• Scottsdale & Tempe ranked amongst America's 'Most Fun, Affordable Cities'. 
• Does Arizona really need to give the Governor more power in the selection of judges? 
• Is Arizona State moving Deantre Lewis to defense? 
• Flake & Carmona in virtual dead heat in latest polls.

Some People Say

Some people?  Who are these people?   I'd like to speak with them.

POTpourri

• Did Republicans deliberately crash the economy?
• Candice Swanepoel at the beach is a site to behold. 
• Did the DNC outdo the RNC?  
• Serena Williams & Andy Murray win U.S. Open Tennis titles.  
• Bloomberg says Republican's need to choose between 'less debt or more jobs'. 
• 'The Citzen Kane Era Returns' is a good read regarding corporate owned media. 
• 2012 MTV VMA winners can be found here.  
• Did President Obama really go on an 'apology tour'? 
• RIP Art Modell.   
• Should we be worried about voting machines? 

Fair & Balanced?

Fair and balanced?   Isn't it about time they change that?

Cardinals 13, Seahawks 10

The Cardinals start the 2012 season with 13-10 win over the Seahawks today.  They looked like the same Cardinals team that finished last season, good defense, mediocre offense, doing just enough to win.  I'm not sure that will be good enough in the long run.  The offensive line really struggled all day opening holes for the RB's, they really need to get better there, especially with the shaky QB play.  You had to be impressed with the defense though, they really fly around and create havoc.

Observations:

• TPSG Game Ball goes to Kevin Kolb, he came off the bench to lead the Cards to a game winning TD.  I'm hoping he pulls a Wally Pipp.  
• John Skelton started strong, then struggled mightily, then got knocked out of the game, it looks like he could be out awhile.  I'm not sure that's a bad thing.  
• 3rd Quarter really killed the Cards, need to play a complete game to win consistently in the NFL. 
• The Cards need to find a way to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald more. 
• Cards had 43 rushing yards on 20 carries (that's a 2.2 yard per carry average).  Not good. 
• D'Anthony Batiste did okay but he's far from a top notch LT, protecting the QB will be an issue.
• Paris Lennon had a nice game, 2 sacks, 9 tackles.
• Calais Campbell is a real weapon blocking kicks & passes with those long arms.   
• The replacement referee's did not impress me in the least.  23 combined penalties.
• Up next?  @ New England to take on the Patriots.

Vikings 26, Jaguars 23

The Vikings knocked off the Jaguars 26-23 today in OT to win their 2012 season opener.  I was having flashbacks to last year when they fell behind 23-20 late in the game, but they somehow managed to pull it out.  I know it's early but a loss today would have really been a devastating way to start the year (losing at home to a poor team).  The Vikings did look improved, they have addressed their most glaring needs (the offensive line and the secondary), they are still really young though and they've still got some holes (WR & depth being chief among them), at this point, I would consider them to be a work in progress. 

Observations:

• TPSG Game Ball goes to Blair Walsh.  He was 4 for 4 on FG's, including a game tying 55 yarder as time ran out in regulation.  His deep kickoffs were also a tremendous help in the battle of field possession, that was something that really hurt them last season. 
• Welcome back Adrian Peterson, you were missed.  Nice game.  Nice record.  I winced every time he was hit. 
• Christian Ponder struggled early but really played well down the stretch.
• Percy Harvin really sparked the Vikings offense today.  What took so long for them to get him involved though?   
• 13 tackles for Chad Greenway, he was everywhere.
• The secondary play today was vastly improved from the end of last season. 
• Another WR really needs to step up.    
• Blaine Gabbert looks like he is going to be okay in Jacksonville, much improved from last year. 
• Even though it could have worked against the Vikings today, I'm glad the NFL finally updated their OT rules to include the regular season.  It was the right thing to do. 
• Up next?  @ Indianapolis to take on the Colts.