Keith Ellison Calls Out Sean Hannity

Keith Ellison is quickly becoming one of my favorite politicians. He won't take any B.S.



He did a nice job calling out Tom Cole too.  Sean Hannity's ratings are falling like a rock too BTW. 

AZ Tidbits

• Has Jan Brewer actually become the voice of reason within the GOP? 
• Snow at Salt River Fields?  That's not something I ever thought that I'd see. 
• AZ Senator John McCain continues to act like a bitter old man. 
• Suns acquire Marcus Morris, team him with his brother Markief.  
• Broadcasting legend Joe Garagiola retires.  One of my all time favorites.
• Can Josh Booty and his knuckleballer make the Diamondbacks pitching squad? 
• Court rules Arizona can prosecute sober people for DUI.   
• Are the Cardinals still in the running for Alex Smith?  
• Should Sheriff Joe Arpaio be nervous about a recall election? 
• EJ Montini has a great take on one of the troubles with Charter Schools. 
• Are the Cardinals desperate enough at QB to bring in JaMarcus Russell? 
• I rather enjoy the ASU Boobs twitter page.  Just saying. 
• Matt Barkley reportedly impressed the Cardinals at the NFL Scouting Combine. 
• Twin Peaks opens in Phoenix.   
• Great Phoenix Haboob pic here from the Earth_Pics twitter page. 
• Are you concerned about the impact of the Sequester cuts on Arizona?
• Canyon Suites at the Phoenician earns 5 stars from Forbes.
• Zip Realty names Phoenix among best places to sell your home.
• Attendance up for the Phoenix Coyotes.  
• Courtyard Scottsdale Salt River named Best LEED Hotel 2012. 

Middle-Out Economics 101

I've had enough of the trickle down bullshit, how about we work from the middle-out?  

POTpourri

• Scientology for Rednecks: What the GOP has become. 
• You can find all of the 2013 Academy Award winners here, and here. 
• If you want to blame anyone for the sequester, blame the Republicans.  
• This just in, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is smoking hot!
• RIP Jerry Buss & Mindy McCready. 
• Don't be fooled by the 'Fix the Debt' group, they are only out for themselves. 
• Happy Dirty Thirty to Selita Ebanks!  
• Time Magazine takes a terrific look at the costs of healthcare this week.   
• Jimmie Johnson wins the 2013 Daytona 500.  
• Austerity continues to slow the economic recovery in Europe. 
• Where have you been all of my life MJ Gines? 
• Ted Cruz seems to fit right in on the long list of GOP loons.   
• The Razzies name "Twilight" finale last years worst movie. 
• I have to say it, I'm kind of crushing on Valorie Curry.   
• C'mon David Brooks, you are better than this.   You should be anyways.
• Keep an eye out for Terron Armstead in the NFL Draft.   
• Isn't it about time Republican's just admit that their ideology is just wrong?  
• Is Leryn Franco the hottest Olympian ever?  Could be.
• 'Carried Interest" should be a part of any Sequester deal.
• Sarah Savage vs Katherine Webb?  Tough call. 

GOP Spending Hypocrisy

2013 Academy Award Predictions

The 2013 Academy Awards are tomorrow night.  As a movie buff I'm psyched!

Here are my predictions for the major categories:

Best Picture:
   Will win:  Silver Linings Playbook
   Should win:   Zero Dark Thirty
   ***winner:  Argo***

Best Actor: 
   Will win:  Daniel Day Lewis - Lincoln
   Should win:  Daniel Day Lewis - Lincoln
   ***winner:  Daniel Day Lewis - Lincoln***

Best Actress:
   Will win: Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook
   Should win:  Jessica Chastain - Zero Dark Thirty
   ***winner:  Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook***

Best Supporting Actor:
   Will win:  Robert DeNiro - Silver Linings Playbook
   Should win:  Alan Arkin - Argo
   ***winner:  Christoph Waltz - Django Unchained***

Best Supporting Actress: 
   Will win:  Anne Hathaway - Les Miserables
   Should win:   Amy Adams - The Master
   ***winner:  Anne Hathaway - Les Miserables***

Best Director: 
   Will win:  David O. Russell - Silver Linings Playbook
   Should win:  Steven Spielberg - Lincoln
   ***winner:  Ang Lee - Life of Pi***

For the record, here's a list of my favorite films of 2012.
***Edited to add the winners***

End of Watch

"End of Watch" - starring Jake Gyllenhaal & Michael Pena

"End of Watch" follows police officers Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Pena) as they patrol the tough streets of south central Los Angeles.  It's shot documentary style via surveillance cameras, cellphone video, dashboard cameras and hand held cameras that they use as part of their jobs.  It's pretty gritty, they deal with some pretty unsavory characters but they also bond together and become best of friends.  I found it tragic, brutal, horrific and edge of seat exciting.  Strong performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Pena and supporting characters Anna Kendrick and America Ferrera.  I highly recommend.  

I give it 4 out of 5 stars (*****). 

Hubris

Have you watched "Hubris: Selling the Iraq War"?   It was on MSNBC on Monday night.  If not, I highly recommend.  It is quite alarming.  Knowledge is power!



You can get the book here. 

TPSG's Top 10 Favorite Bands

Keep in mind, this isn't a list of the Top 10 bands ever, just my favorite bands ever.

1. Guns N' Roses - Axel Rose and Slash, how does it get any better than that?
2. Pearl Jam - I'll listen to anything Eddie Vedder is involved with.
3. Nirvana - Kurt Cobain was a man before his time.
4. U2 - My favorite concert ever was a U2 concert. 
5. Foo Fighters - Dave Grohl can do no wrong in my book.
6. Velvet Revolver - American super group, much too short lived.
7. Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Anthony Kiedis & Flea know how to work a crowd.
8. Van Halen - I loved them with David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar
9. Green Day - best punk rock band ever?  In my book they are.
10. Metallica - Best heavy metal band ever? Absolutely.   

Others:   Kiss, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, R.E.M., Aerosmith, Alice in Chains, Linkin Park, The Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd

United States of ALEC

Are you familiar with ALEC?   You should be, knowledge is power, watch this video please. 

AZ Tidbits

• Did you catch Stephen Colbert's look at Arizona's Gun Posse? 
• Arizona Republicans propose bill requiring belief in God to graduate high school. 
• Check out Arizona's Top 10 Appearances on the 'Daily Show'.  
• John McCain & Krysten Sinema amongst those named Toughest Politicians in Washington. 
• Are the Suns interested in Iman Shumpert of the Knicks?  
• Fred DuVal files papers to run for Arizona Governor in 2014. 
• Judge smacks down Arizona for their defunding of Planned Parenthood. 
• Could the Cardinals bring in QB Drew Stanton from the Colts?  
• There's nothing I find more comical than the Impeach Obama rallies.   
• Spike TV's "Bar Rescue" comes to Scottsdale. 
• I love Keith Law's list of the best eats in the Phoenix area.  More here.
• An early look at the top 2014 high school football players here.
• Is it time for the Cardinals to consider trading Larry Fitzgerald?  Hardly. 
• Are you as outraged by Betsey Bayless pay raise as I am?  WTF?  
• Apparently Arizona Senator John McCain likes to hold grudges. 
• How much confidence do you have in Sheriff Joe Arpaio's posse?  
• Minder Binders lives!  In the not too distant future anyways.  
• Are the 49ers determined to block Alex Smith from playing for the Cardinals? 
• Diamondbacks acquire Tony Campana from the Cubs.
• 'Family Guy' slams Arizona illegal immigration crackdown.

Embassy Attacks

POTpourri

• Did you catch any video of the Russian meteorite strike? 
• Wrestling dropped from 2020 Olympics.  WTF?
• The richest 1% have captured 120% of all income gains from recovery.
• Marco Rubio's water break is taking on a life of it's own.  
• Has Dr Ben Carson replaced Marco Rubio as the GOP's next new savior? 
• Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizen's United unveiled. 
• NBA All Star Saturday night results here. 
• Are you familiar with the folly that is austerity?  This is the path the GOP wants to take. 
• Elisha Cuthbert is looking quite nice these days. 
• Why was Ted Nugent allowed anywhere near the President?
• Did you catch Will Ferrell working as a security guard at Staples Center? 
• Meet the newest GOP hostage:  the Sequester. 
• Blade Runner charged with murder of his girlfriend. 
• Are you familiar between the link between the minimum wage and productivity.  
• More Xenia Deli!  I just can't get enough!  
• How exactly would lower corporate taxes improve the economy again?  
• Please educate yourself about the problems with the U.S. Postal Service.
• Wayne LaPierre is truly a lunatic.  Is he really the voice of responsible gun owners?
• The Transvaginal Ultrasound is catching on amongst Republicans.  Do they never learn?
• GOP lawmaker wants to ban nip slips.  This from the party of limited government.

February Flavor of the Month . . .

. . . is Lily Carter, she's hot.  You can check out her website here. 

A Good Day to Die Hard

"A Good Day to Die Hard" - starring Bruce Willis & Jai Courtney

"A Good Day to Die Hard" is the latest installment in the Die Hard series, this being number 5.  This installment follows John McClane (Bruce Willis) to Russia to help his estranged son (Jai Courtney) get out of jail, only to discover that his son is a CIA operative who is attempting to foil a terrorist plot.  With few other options, the two of them team up to foil the plot & save the world.  IMO, this was easily the weakest movie in the Die Hard series.  While their was plenty of action and crashes to keep the action fans happy, much of it really stretched credulity.  McClane was crashing cars, being flung from a helicopter, flying through windows and dropping hundreds of feet through the air with nary scratch or broken bone, it's as if he had morphed into David Dunn, the Willis character in "Unbreakable" somewhere along the line.  Willis seemed to phone this one in too, lots of quips and smirks but he was a bit wooden and his heart didn't seem into it.  My advice, wait for the DVD.

I give it 2 out of 5 stars (*****).

Happy Valentine's Day

Favorite SI Swimsuit Models

In honor of the 2013 SI Swimsuit Issue's release, I thought that I'd list my Top 10 All Time Favorite SI Swimsuit Models, so here goes, just one man's opinion:

1. Marissa Miller - hottest ever!
2. Elle MacPherson - they don't call her "The Body" for nothing!. 
3. Stephanie Seymour - how she never got a cover is beyond me.
4. Paulina Porizkova - how she ended up with Ric Ocasek still baffles me.
5. Cindy Crawford - so hot that she made a mole famous!
6. Valeria Mazza - absolutely gorgeous Argentinian. 
7. Tyra Banks - I loved her curves! 
8. Naomi Campbell - flawless body.   
9. Rebecca Romijn - long, lean and toned!  
10. Vendela Kirsbom - blonde Scandinavian bombshell.

Flight

"Flight" starring Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle

"Flight" is the story of airplane pilot Whip Whitaker (Washington) who miraculously saves his airplane from what appears to be certain disaster and in doing so saves the lives of nearly everyone on board.  The opening 30 minutes of this movie are as good and as edge of your seat as they come.  Whitaker is immediately hailed as an American hero for his heroic actions, things start running amiss though when a routine blood test comes back positive for alcohol.  The movies honestly starts to drag a bit at this point as Whitaker comes to terms with his substance abuse issues for the last 90 minutes or so.  Still, overall, an excellent movie, I highly recommend.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars (*****).

On a side note, look for Nadine Velazquez, she really steals her scene in the start of the movie.

SI Swimsuit 2013

On sale at news stands now.

POTpourri

• Did you catch the now infamous Marco Rubio water bottle moment? 
• 2013 Grammy Award winners can be found here.  
• IMO, Kelly Rowland won the Grammy's.  Damn!
• Have you seen the George W Bush paintings? 
• Keep an eye out for Petra Benova.  Hot!
• RIP Jim Sweeney & Tom Aspell.
• Is inequality holding back economic recovery?    
• Bill's Gamblin' Hall in Las Vegas is no more.  
• Getting the Post Office money woes straight.   
• Pope Benedict XVI resigns. Who replaces him? 
• Who are the next generation of Heavyweight boxers?  
• 9 out of 10 Americans support background checks on all gun sales.  
• Treasury Department reports $3 billion budget surplus in January.
• Is the U.S. middle class being wiped out? 
• Candice Swanepoel + twitter = heaven!  
• Have you seen Christopher Doerners Manifesto?  Bizarre. 
• Lais Ribeiro is freaking hot!   
• Senate Democrats renew push to pass the Buffett Rule.  
• Is Marco Rubio the savior of the Republican party?   
• Are GOP Austerity measures really the right prescription for our economy?

Fun.: We Are Young

"We Are Young" won the 2013 Grammy Award for Song of the Year.  It is a catchy tune. 

Pitchers & Catchers Report!

Pitchers and catchers are reporting!  I love it!  If you're a baseball fan, there's nothing better than spring in Arizona!  I just don't see how Florida measures up to tell you the truth, the Cactus League has 15 teams that all train within the same metropolitan area, the Grapefruit League by contrast, has 15 teams that are dispersed across the state of Florida.  If you spend a week in Arizona you could easily see all 15 teams, no doubt you could do the same in Florida but it would take a lot more time and effort.

My suggestion to anyone interested in coming on down to Arizona, book a room at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, it's a beautiful resort/casino located right next to Salt River Fields (spring home of the Diamondbacks and the Rockies), it's also fairly close to Scottsdale Stadium (spring home of the Giants) not to mention the top notch nightlife that you can find in Old Town Scottsdale.  It's also within reasonable driving distance to Phoenix Municipal Stadium (spring home of the Athletics) and HoHoKam Stadium (spring home of the Cubs).  Most of the other stadiums are on the west side of Phoenix and will take a little bit of driving time, it's not bad though as most of the driving can be done via the freeway system. 

I'm really looking forward to the Chicago Cubs new spring home, it's set to open in the spring of 2014, that will be the closest stadium to my home! 

This spring we will also be the benefactors of the 2013 World Baseball Classic, as some of the pool play games will be held in Arizona!  If you haven't been to Arizona for Spring Training you don't know what you're missing.  I can't wait! 

2013 SI Swimsuit Isssue Cover

It's Kate Upton once again.  That's 2 years in a row. 

AZ Tidbits

• Cardinals coach Bruce Arians named 2013 NFL Coach of the Year.  
• Yuma native Curly Culp elected to the NFL Hall of Fame. 
• RIP Tyrice Thompson.  Arrest made.
• Former Sun Devil Phil Mickelson wins the 2013 WM Phoenix Open.  
• I must admit, Caribe Devine keeps me tuning into 12News in Phoenix. 
• Phoenix remains among the fastest growing cities in America.  
• Are you ready for Whiskey Row Scottsdale?   
• Mark Goudeau maintains his innocence in Baseline Killer slayings.  Lying SOB. 
• I feel so much better knowing Steven Seagal is training our school guards.  Not.
• Janet Napolitano for President?  What say you Hillary? 
• Are the Arizona Cardinals playoff material in 2013?  
• I can't get enough of the Jodi Arias case.  
• The Cardinals announce their full coaching staff. 
• Former Diamondback Cy Young winner Brandon Webb finally retires.
• Phoenix ranked as eighth-worst "Bible-Minded City" in country. 
• Arizona college football commitments can be found here.  
• Arizona home prices jump the most in the U.S.  
• 2013 Arizona State football recruits here; 2013 UA football recruits here.
• Is there anything better than the 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open?
• Arizona State baseball to play at Phoenix Memorial Stadium in 2015. 

Here Comes the Boom

"Here Comes the Boom" starring Kevin James, Henry Winkler & Salma Hayak.  

I had very low expectations for this movie, but I must say, I was pleasantly surprised, it was funny, it was heartfelt, it was inspiring, those are things you can't really say about all of Kevin James movies.  It's about a high school biology teacher Scott Voss (Kevin James) who decides to turn to MMA to earn enough money to save his school's music program, he becomes a better teacher and person along the way.  It is easily the best Kevin James movie that I've seen.  Also solid were Henry Winkler as the high school music instructor, Salma Hayak as the school nurse and the object of Voss's affection and Bas Rutten as Scott's MMA instructor.  Give it a watch, I recommend.  

I give it 4 out of 5 stars (* * * * *). 

Nina Agdal Carl's Jr Commercial

A fish sandwich never looked so good!



Rumor has it, Agdal may have also snagged the upcoming Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover too.

Scalia on Second Amendment

Did you catch these comments by Justice Antonin Scalia on the second amendment:

"There are some limitations that can be imposed. What they are will depend on what the society understood were reasonable limitations at the time." 

I wholeheartedly agree, I think it's time that reasonable gun control measures get passed in congress.  If we let the Newton tragedy pass with no action taking place we should all be ashamed of ourselves.

POTpourri

• Adrian Peterson named NFL MVP.  
• The rich continue to get richer, everyone else not so much.  
• John Kerry confirmed as U.S. Secretary of State.   
• Former Vikings WR Cris Carter heads 2013 NFL Hall of Fame class.  
• Not surprisingly, ALEC is opposed to the "Popular Vote". 
• MLB.com releases their list of the Top 100 Minor League Prospects for 2013. 
• Bar Refaili is smoking hot!  As is Emily Ratajkowski!  Just saying. 
• RIP Ed Koch, Walt Sweeney & Chris Kyle. 
• Republicans continue their push to subject women to vaginal probes.  
• Did you catch Will Ferrell's Old Milwaukee Super Bowl commercial?  Not many did. 
• I'm not a fan of Fox News, I do appreciate Chris Wallace on occasion though.
• Geraldo Rivera reportedly contemplating a Senate run in New Jersey.
• WTF?  No Saturday mail delivery!  I blame you GOP! 
• U.S. carbon emissions in 2012 lowest since 1994. 
• Half of all mass shooters used high-capacity magazines. 
• Nearly half of all Americans are one shock away from poverty.  
• Please be weary of all the GOP's attacks on labor unions. 
• Are you prepared for an emergency at a large public gathering? 
• Ask yourself, why are secret donors are spending millions to influence cabinet appointments.
• Bill Maher's blog on the NRA is very insightful.  

Chris Christie on Letterman

I'm not a big fan of Chris Christie's politics but even I will admit the guy is likeable and has some positive traits.  I really like the way he handled himself on Letterman this week. 

TPSG 2013 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Now that the Super Bowl has come and gone, it seems like a good time to reveal my 2013 NFL Mock Draft 1.0.  Keep in mind, it's still early in the process, things are bound to change after free agency, the Scouting Combine and possible trades, but as of today, here's how I see it shaking out.

1. Kansas City Chiefs - Geno Smith - QB - West Virginia
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Bjoern Werner - DE - Florida State
3. Oakland Raiders - Star Lotulelei - DT - Utah
4. Philadelphia Eagles - Luke Joeckel - OT - Texas A&M
5. Detroit Lions - Damontre Moore - DE - Texas A&M
6. Cleveland Browns - Jarvis Jones - LB - Georgia
7. Arizona Cardinals - Mike Glennon - QB - North Carolina State
8. Buffalo Bills - Ryan Nassib - QB - Syracuse
9. New York Jets - Barkevious Mingo - LB - LSU
10. Tennessee Titans - Chance Warmack - OG - Alabama
11. San Diego Chargers - Eric Fisher - OT - Central Michigan
12. Miami Dolphins - Cordarrelle Patterson - WR - Tennessee
13. Tampa Bay Buccaners - Dee Milliner - CB - Alabama
14. Carolina Panthers - Sheldon Richardson - DT - Missouri
15. New Orleans Saints - Dion Jordan - DE - Oregon
16. St Louis Rams - Lane Johnson - OT - Oklahoma
17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kenny Vaccaro - DB - Texas 
18. Dallas Cowboys - Jonathan Hankins - DT - Ohio State
19. New York Giants - Ezekiel Ansah - DE - BYU
20. Chicago Bears - Zach Ertz - TE - Stanford
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Eric Reid - S - LSU
22. St Louis Rams - Keenan Allen - WR - California
23. Minnesota Vikings - Manti Te'o - LB - Notre Dame
24. Indianapolis Colts - Datone Jones - DE - UCLA
25. Seattle Seahawks - Sharif Floyd - DT - Florida
26. Green Bay Packers - Barrett Jones - OC - Alabama
27. Houston Texans - John Jenkins - DT - Georgia
28. Denver Broncos - Kevin Minter - LB - LSU
29. New England Patriots - Terrance Williams - WR - Baylor
30. Atlanta Falcons - Tyler Eifert - TE - Notre Dame
31. San Francisco 49ers - Kawann Short - DT - Purdue
32. Baltimore Ravens - Alec Ogletree - LB - Georgia

My Favorite Super Bowl Commercial

"Go Daddy" and Bar Refaeli of course. 



It took a reported 60 takes to get this commercial done right, that's one smart nerd.

Super Bowl XLVII

Baltimore Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31
What a game!  This is why the NFL is the popular sports league in America.  It really was a tale of two halves, the Ravens dominated the first half, the 49ers dominated the second half and you couldn't ask for a better finish, with the Ravens holding on for a 34-31 victory.  Congratulations to the Ravens! 

Observations:

• The Harbaugh Brothers are great football coaches.  
• Joe Flacco is in line for a big raise. 
• The 34 minute blackout did not do the Ravens any favors. 
• So long Ray Lewis, next stop Canton.  
• How come I'm not more familiar with Jacoby Jones?   
• Both Joe Flacco & Colin Kaepernick have got big time arms.  
• Is Ed Reed the best Safety in the history of the NFL?  Could be.
• Why wouldn't the Ravens bring back Anquan Boldin? 
• "Go Daddy" won for best commercial in my book.
• Beyonce did a very nice job on the half time show. 
• Jennifer Hudson & Alicia Keys got the game off to a nice start. 
• Up next year for Super Bowl XLVIII?  New York/New Jersey. 

Happy Groundhog Day!

Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring!  

AZ Tidbits

• Has the clock struck midnight for the Phoenix Coyotes?   
• Arizona now has the highest dropout rate in the nation. 
• Ray Horton insists that he could have delivered Norv Turner & Mike Tice.  
• Are the Phoenix Suns unraveling in front of our very eyes?
• The Arizona state legislature apparently still have a case of the crazies.  
• Al Sharpton reveals Paul Babeu for the tool that he is. 
• Report gives Arizona a grade of D for financial security of families. 
• How did Matt Salmon get elected again?  No wonder Arizona has a bad name.  
• Would Tom Brady look good in a Cardinals uniform?  Yes, don't bet on it though.
• Should Arizona hospitals really need to become immigration officials?  
• UA RB Ka'Deem Carey hasn't had a good off season so far.  
• RIP Bill Close.  
• Arizona has the seventh Most Regressive State Tax Structure. 
• WTF Jason London?  Time to grow up! 
• Phoenix continues to crack down on the actions of consenting adults.   
• Recall effort launched against Sheriff Joe Arpaio.  
• Would Rashard Mendenhall be a good fit with the Cardinals? 
• Yet another attack on science by the Arizona state legislature.    
• They apparently know how to party at the U of A. 
• Arizona Senator John McCain flip flops on immigration once again.