AZ Tidbits

• Arizona per capita earnings hit new low. Welcome to Right to Work reality.
• Arizona Diamondbacks trade Jason Kubel to the Cleveland Indians. 
• New haboob pictures.  I hate the haboobs, but I do love the pictures.   
• Phoenix Suns trade Caron Butler to the Milwaukee Bucks.
• Please do not leave your baby alone in a car in the summer!!! 
• Yuma, Arizona leads the nation in unemployment.  
• I've got to take a trip to Page, Arizona sometime. 
• Arizona leads the nation in the closing of abortion clinics.
• Smart money in Las Vegas is headed towards the Arizona Cardinals.
• I'm pretty psyched to watch Byron Buxton play in the Arizona Fall League.
• ASU fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon ranked as most out of control frat by Rolling Stone.
• All State ranks Phoenix as top city for safe drivers.  Huh?
• Something smells at the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Trust.
• City of Phoenix election results can be found here.
• The Phoenix Suns announce their 2013-2014 dance team!
• Arizona posts 7th most foreclosures in the last year.
• I actually agree with the Goldwater Institute on something, their fight against pension spiking. 
• Jonathan Cooper's much anticipated first season comes to an end before it even starts. 
• Is Sheriff Joe Arpaio getting a court ordered monitor?
• Phoenix Coyotes defensemen rank high in NHL defenseman rankings.

POTpourri

• Ben Affleck is the new Batman!  Why the outrage?
• It pisses me off that we live in a world where one man can own a 600 foot long yacht.
• Hello Michelle Lewin!  My lord, what a body!
• RIP Elmore Leonard & Dean Meminger.
• The Bradley Manning case takes another bizarre turn.   
• What exactly is the big ruckus over Miley Cyrus's VMA performance? 
• What would the country look like if there were 50 equal sized states?  
• Crossfire set to return to CNN on Sept 16, 2013.  
• Bob Filner finally steps down as Mayor of San Diego.
• Have you ever seen a Kangaroo fight a Dog? 
• Voter suppression seems like the real voter fraud to me. 
• I have to admit, I rather like Farrah Abraham's KISS bikini. 
• Louisiana Republicans blame President Obama for Hurricane Katrina response.  
• You can find a complete list of the 2013 MTV VMA Award winners here.  
• Courtney Stodden should just start her porn career and get it over with. 
• McDonald's to start selling chicken wings.  
• What the heck is going on with Lamar Odom?  
• Rolling Stone's Aaron Hernandez profile is a must read.  
• Do you really think that the U.S. has the best healthcare system in the world? 
• Wisconsin now ranks 40th out of 45 in job creation. 

Minnesota 51, UNLV 23

College football is back!  The Gophers open with a big 51-23 win over UNLV tonight.  It wasn't a pretty game, the Gophers still have a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball, but why quibble, it's a nice win for a young team, I'll take it.  I admit though, I was a bit worried early on, but the Gopher coaches seem to make the right adjustments and got outstanding play from their special teams as well as a few big plays to pull away at the end.  Let the Jerry Kill year 3 magic continue! 

Observations:

• 51 points is the most points the Gophers have scored at TCF Bank Stadium.
• Only 1 penalty for 5 yards for the Gophers.  That's remarkable. 
• UNLV returns 18 starters from last year, I have to believe they take a step up this year.
• Ra'Shede Hageman is still a beast.  
• Total Yards:  UNLV 419, Minnesota 320
• Total Plays:  UNLV 85, Minnesota 61
• The Gopher WR's need to do a better job of getting separation. 
• I sure hope that Donnell Kirkwood's ankle injury isn't serious. 
• 51 points is the most points in a game for the Gophers under Jerry Kill.
• Up next?  @ New Mexico St next Saturday. 

August Flavor of the Month . . .

. . . is Melissa Giraldo.  Freakin' hot!  Facebook here.  Twitter here.

Top 10 Summer TV Shows 2013

I've been pleasantly surprised by the quality of television this summer, hopefully it's a good sign as we move towards the fall.  Here are my Top 10 Summer Television shows/series for the summer of 2013:

1. Breaking Bad - AMC
2. The Bridge - FX
3. Under the Dome - CBS
4. Orange is the New Black - Netflix
5. Big Brother - CBS
6. America's Got Talent - NBC
7. Low Winter Sun - AMC
8. Camp - NBC 
9. Olbermann - ESPN
10. The Daily Show - Comedy 

IMO, the final season premiere of "Breaking Bad" ("Tread Lightly") was one of the best shows on television in recent memory.  "The Bridge" is one of the better new shows I've seen in years, I hope they can keep it up.  I had low expectations for "Under the Dome" but I've been pleasantly surprised, given Stephen King and Stephen Spielberg's involvement in the show I should have known it would be good.  "Orange is the New Black" is another great scripted original drama from Netflix, I really hope they can keep this run going.  "Big Brother" and "America's Got Talent" have been summer reliables for awhile now, I can't get enough of them.  "Low Winter Sun" is still early in it's run but it's showing a lot of promise.  "Camp" is just enjoyable summertime fun.  "Olbermann", although it just started, shows a lot of promise, if you were a fan of Keith Olbermann's MSNBC show you'll probably like this show as it's very similar except that it comes from a non-political/sports perspective.  I really enjoyed John Oliver filling in for Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" this summer, he did a great job. 

New Pearl Jam

"Mind Your Manners".   Not their best, but I like it.  Give it a listen. 

We're The Millers

"We're The Millers" starring Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston.  This movie is about a small time pot dealer named David Clark (Sudeikis) who gets wrangled into a plot to smuggle thousands of pounds of marijuana from Mexico into the United States.  In an attempt to allude the border patrol he creates a fake family as his "cover".  They cross the border without many problems but then run afoul of a Mexican drug lord they had unwittingly crossed.  Along the way David bonds with the faux family (played by Aniston, Emma Roberts and Will Poulter) he had created, they end up filling the sense of family he had been missing in his life.  While I doubt this one wins any awards, I enjoyed it, there were plenty of laughs and it moved briskly.  I think it's probably my favorite role for Sudeikis, he's usually a bit over the top on most of his roles, but he really found his grove in this one, he did a nice job.  Let me add, it's also hard to not like a movie in which Jennifer Aniston plays a stripper, just saying.  Supporting characters Ed Helms, Nick Offerman, Kathryn Hahn, Mark L Young and Laura-Leigh also provide some memorable moments.  If you're looking for a few laughs give it a watch. 

I will give this movie 3 out of 5 stars (*****). 

North Carolina Voter Rights

What a tremendous job by Rachel Maddow covering the attack on voters rights in North Carolina. It really is deplorable what they are doing there.  Why are they so afraid of people voting?  Is this really the way they want to win?  Is that what they think democracy is really about?  Doesn't this reek of the rigged elections you see across the world?   Aren't we better than this?  Please watch this video.

AZ Tidbits

• The Arizona Rattlers repeat as Arena Bowl champions. 
• Phoenix named the 5th Most Extreme Food City. 
• Apparently Russ Pennell is now coaching the Phoenix Mercury. 
• Federal judge strikes down Arizona ban on public money for abortion providers. 
• Forbes ranks the Arizona Cardinals as the 24th most valuable NFL franchise.
• 3 AZ Republicans who opposed Sandy Relief now want relief for Yarnell.  Hypocrites. 
• Arizona sovereignty will be back on the ballot.  Really? 
• More changes coming to the Phoenix Open's famed 16th hole.  They're going to ruin it soon.
• AZ sues Obama Administration on Voting Rights, they apparently want to disenfranchise more.
• Rich Rodriguez is doing a nice job of recruiting at the University of Arizona.
• This just in, armed militias are still plaguing Arizona.  
• Is Arizona back on a housing bubble?  Let's hope not.
• I applaud Paul Gosar and Ann Kirkpatrick for their bipartisanship.  
• Judge tosses blood tests in Scottsdale DUI cases. 
• Deadspin tells us why the Arizona Cardinals suck.
• What a clusterfuck that Yarnell firefight was. 
• Did you see this time lapse video of the recent Haboob in Yuma?  Kinda cool.
• Diamondbacks Manager Kirk Gibson is not a fan of Ryan Braun.
• You've got to love the UA football team dance contest. 
• The Phoenix Suns are set to the be 4th most traveled NBA team of 2013-2014. 

Nine Inch Nails - Everything

Have you heard the new Nine Inch Nails track "Everything"? 



It honestly doesn't do much for me.

MSNBC Lineup

As you've probably noticed, I'm a big fan of MSNBC, I flip on "Morning Joe" while getting ready for work in the mornings, then come home to "Politics Nation" and "Hardball With Chris Matthews" and will then occasionally tune into "The Rachel Maddow Show", "The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell" and "All In With Chris Hayes" in the evenings.   

I was thrilled to hear that they are bringing "The Ed Show" back to weekdays, it was a mistake to move this show to the weekends in the first place, I'm glad they are finally admitting as much.  I just wish they'd put it back in it's old time slot too so that it would be exposed to more people.  Speaking of which, I wish more people would tune in to these shows, they provide a terrific counter balance to all the distorted trash that get's put out by Fox News.  I honestly think it would make us a better country if more people did watch.  Knowledge is power and that is what you get with MSNBC.  So tune in already!  Educate yourself!

SnSbikinis

SnSbikinis does bikini's well!  Just saying. 

POTpourri

• Do you think that Red State Food Stamp recipients will turn against the GOP?
• Nope, Walmart does NOT create jobs.  They are actually quite costly to taxpayers.
• Fracking vs Clean Drinking Water?  What say you?  
• Jose Abreu defects from Cuba.  Are you paying attention Terry Ryan? 
• Steve Kerr has some pretty good ideas on how to fix the NBA Draft lottery. 
• Is it just me, or does living in a city with a stop & frisk city sound like living in a police state? 
• RIP Gia Allemand.  
• Do you know the real reason that conservatives don't believe in the climate problem?   
• I finally caught 'Orange is the New Black', I highly recommend.  
• The CIA confirms the existence of Area 51. 
• RNC votes to exclude NBS and CNN from covering the 2016 GOP Presidential debates.
• A-Rod becomes A-Rat.  Is he now the most hated man in sports?
• Elon Rusk's high speed tube travel plan has me intrigued.  
• Why haven't I ever heard of Laura Cremaschi?  
• The preseason NCAA football rankings are out!  No Minnesota or Arizona State. 
• The rock band KISS brings arena football franchise to Los Angeles.  
• So much for that Republican outreach to disaffected voters.  
• Ed Schultz returns to weekdays on MSNBC.  Good move!. 
• Aaron Hernandez tied to 2012 double murder in Boston.
• Just a reminder, lending money to poor people didn't cause the recession.  

Pro Life Voters

Here are a few things you Pro Life voters may want to consider before vote again.

Lee Daniels' The Butler

"Lee Daniels' The Butler" starring Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey.  This movie tells the story of White House butler Cecil Gaines (Whitaker).  Gaines served 8 Presidents over 3 decades.  I'm a bit ambivalent towards this movie, there was some good and some bad to it.  The good?  I loved the insiders perspective of some of the biggest issues of our times, from the civil rights movement, to Viet Nam, to the assassinations of JFK and MLK and I like the way the movie showed the toll that these events took not only on Gaines but also on society as a whole.  The performances by Forrest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey were top notch, I also thought that Cuba Gooding Jr and David Oyelowo gave strong performances.  On the bad side?  It wasn't the fastest moving movie, it really dragged at times.  I'm also not sure that Gaines himself is all that remarkable of an individual, don't get me wrong he was great at what he did, and he overcame a lot to make something of himself and I do realize that that in itself is a nice feat, especially given where he came from, but the fact is, he never really did anything all that remarkable, he played no part in the shaping of any of the administrations that he served in, a 2+ hour movie on his life didn't make for the greatest entertainment in my book.  Still, overall, a good movie, certainly worth seeing, you may want to wait for the DVD though.

I will give it 3 out of 5 stars (*****). 

Government Shutdown Over Healthcare

It seems so obvious, and it really shouldn't need stating, but I'm glad President Obama did:

"The idea that you would shut down the government unless you prevent 30 million people from getting health care is a bad idea."

Buckcherry

Crazy Bitch!  Just because!

Suns New Uniforms

The Phoenix Suns unveiled their new uniforms tonight.  Nothing earth shattering.

AZ Tidbits

• 36 reasons that Arizona is the Best State! 
• Are you familiar with Arizona's voter suppression act HB 2305?   
• Arizona Rattlers make it to the Arena Bowl again!
• Phoenix Suns 2013-2014 schedule released.
• Mark Andrews commits to play football at the University of Oklahoma.
• RIP Whizzer White & Jim Gintonio. 
• Scottsdale named one of the "Safest Cities".  
• Suns forward Michael Beasley arrested on drug charges. 
• Monster.com names Phoenix one of Top 10 cities for job growth. 
• Phoenix Coyotes sale finalized.  Now it's time to focus on hockey!  
• Arizona State University should suffice. Great motto? 
• There are just way too many ignorant rednecks in Arizona. 
• SB Nation unveil their Top 60 Diamondback prospects as of August 2013. 
• ASU alum Curley Culp enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  
• Former Go Daddy executive Christine Jones (R) enters race for Arizona Governor.  
• The "Rock Burglar" goes to prison.   
• Zuma Grill in Tempe named one of the 10 Best College Bars. 
• US Airways-American Airlines merger blocked.  That's good news for Arizona.
• WR Cayleb Jones set to transfer from Texas to Arizona.
• Please be weary of the Arizona GOP's 2020 Gerrymandering plans. 

Usain "Lighning" Bolt

What a great photo of Usain Bolt by Oliver Morin. 

Elysium

"Elysium" starring Matt Damon & Jodi Foster.  This sci-fi movie is set in the year 2154, Earth has become overcome by disease, pollution and overpopulation.  In order to escape the turmoil on Earth the world's wealthiest decide to build a lavish space station called Elysium where they can live in luxury.  Damon plays Max, a reformed criminal just trying to get by on Earth as he dreams of living on Elysium.  When Max is accidentally exposed to a lethal dose of radiation he plots out a way to get himself to Elysium so that he can cure himself in one of their sickness curing medical scanning pods.  Damon does a nice job as Max, the supporting cast is also strong.  Writer-Director Neill Blomkamp is building up a solid resume, keep an eye out for him.  It's quite the ride, I really enjoyed this one and I highly recommend it.  

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

Once You Go Black . . .

Tread Lightly

I have to say, "Breaking Bad" is closing in on the best TV show ever status.  What a fantastic episode tonight as the show enters their homestretch.  How do you top a line like this from Walt to Hank:

"If you don't know who I am, than maybe your best course would be to tread lightly"

POTpourri

• It may be a good idea to follow Uruguay's decision to legalize marijuana.    
• The "Birthers" are back.  I wonder how they feel about Ted Cruz.
• The GOP Civil War is starting to get interesting.
• Clint Dempsey signs with the MLS's Seattle Sounders. 
• Is MLB going to bail out the New York Yankees?   I sure hope not.
• Does congress really deserve a month long vacation?  From what?
• The New Orleans Pelicans unveil their new uniforms.  Blah. 
• I wasn't aware of the benefits of coconut water. 
• Doutzen Kroes is looking mighty fine these days.
• RIP Art Donovan. 
• Jason Whitlock perfectly sums up the Riley Cooper "Controversy".  Dan Bickley too. 
• Why did the RNC bring back Reince Priebus again?  
• This just in, Usain Bolt is still a freak.  
• Is the Tea Party reminding anyone else of the John Birch Society?
• Taco Bell is testing a Waffle Taco.  It sounds like a McGriddle. 
• When journalists become propagandists we all lose.  
• Keep an eye out for Stacy Martin!  She's caught my eye!
• Are you familiar with the GOP's 'Blame the Hostage' approach to governing?
• Ashley Madison says Miley Cyrus is the most 'Cheat-Worthy Celeb'. 
• Senior citizens are finally turning against the GOP, it's about time. 

Nina Agdal

My current infatuation.  You should follow her on twitter! 

Fruitvale Station

"Fruitvale Station" - starring Michael B Jordan, Melonie Diaz and Octavia Spencer.  This is a bio-op about the last day in the life of Oscar Grant.  Grant was a 22 year old black man who was shot and killed by a BART police officer on New Years Day 2009.  This is a really good movie, it will leave you sad, angry and astonished at the ineptitude of the BART police department.  Grant was no angel, the movie doesn't depict as one either, but there is no way he deserved to die on that train platform for his actions on that train.  The performances from Jordan, Diaz and Spencer were all very strong, I suspect that we'll be seeing a lot more of Michael B. Jordan going forward.  The direction from Ryan Coogler in his directorial debut was also excellent, I think he may have a future in the film industry.  I highly recommend that everyone go out and see it.

I will give this movie 4 out of 5 stars (*****).  

Dr Sanjay Gupta on Marijuana

Dr. Sanjay Gupta has apparently changed his mind on marijuana use.  I tend to agree, I think it's high time (pun intended) that we reevaluate how we view marijuana (medically, recreationally and legally).  As Dr Gupta states about marijuana:

"We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States"

 

Football On Your Phone

How can you not be a fan of the Manning brothers?

Ted Cruz Interview

Did you catch Ted Cruz's recent interview on "This Week"?  I found it rather amusing, especially this quote:

"We are having a national debate about which direction the country should go."  

My question to Ted Cruz would be "Didn't we just have that debate last November and didn't your side lose?"   My lord, is it really time for another debate?  It seems to me that the people have already spoken and it's time for the Republicans to accept it and start governing. 

Breaking Bad Returns!

"Breaking Bad" returns Sunday for their final run, I can't wait.  What a great show!

Top 10 Mark Wahlberg Movies

"2 Guns" with Mark Wahlberg & Denzel Washington opened this weekend.   I'm a big fan of both, I have no doubt that I will be catching this movie at some point.  Anyways, I think that it's time I list my Top 10 Mark Wahlberg movies:

1. The Fighter - 2010
2. The Departed - 2006
3. Ted - 2012 
4. The Italian Job - 2003
5. Three Kings - 1999
6. Invincible - 2006
7. Pain & Gain - 2013
8. The Other Guys - 2010
9. Contraband - 2012
10. The Perfect Storm - 2000

Others:  Rock Star - 2001, Boogie Nights - 1997

John Oliver on Fast Food Workers Strike

John Oliver just keeps getting more and more comfortable in Jon Stewart's seat, he's doing a real nice job as the The Daily Show's fill in host.  It's times like this you also grow a deep appreciation for the writers on The Daily Show, they are just brilliant.  I love this take on the fast food worker's strike and on the Fox News so-called business pundits coverage of it. 

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

AZ Tidbits

• Arizona Cardinals sign free agents Eric Winston &  John Abraham. 
• Is moderate John McCain making another appearance? 
• USA Basketball moving headquarters to Tempe, AZ. 
• Forbes ranks UA 211th, ASU 226th & Northern Arizona 540th best colleges. 
• USA Today ranks ASU PG Jahii Carson as the nations 16th best college basketball player.  
• AZ Senator John McCain thinks strippers would benefit from his proposed one dollar coin. 
• You can't help but be impressed with Steve Keim's first offseason as Cardinals GM.  
• Redneck Day didn't work at as planned at an Arizona high school. 
• Phoenix Suns trade Luis Scola to the Indiana Pacers.  
• UFO's spotted over Arizona sky's once again. 
• Jeff Flake named "Most Beautiful Person" on Capital Hill
• Arizona Diamondbacks Top 20 2013 Pre-Season Prospects in review.  
• Immigration reform would be an economic boon to Arizona. 
• Have you seen Darnell Dockets pet tiger? 
• Have I mentioned that I need to stop taking Arizona for granted?
• ESPN & Sporting News analysts call out ASU President Michael Crow over GGU comments. 
• Forbes ranks Phoenix as 3rd most Miserable Sports City.  
• Despite the heat, Arizona is not entirely a bad place to be in July.  
• Iraqii War veteran becomes Arizona Cardinals cheerleader. 
• QB Connor Brewer transfers from the University of Texas to the University of Arizona.

Crazy Rhubarb Lady

The Crazy Rhubarb Lady cracks me up.