10 Days

Today, Gregory Hatt, a 5 or 6 (depending on the news source) time convicted drunk driver was sentenced to 10 days in prison after slamming into a police cruiser and then running from the scene.I'm not sure even where to begin with this. 10 days? I thought you got more than that for the first time you caused a drunk driving accident. I would think they'd give you ten days for running from a police car, drunk or not. He's been convicted at least 5 times, and he gets 10 days? The judge commented that he's not in the business of making the "popular choice". Well, no kidding, that's not in question. You are in the business of making correct and fair choices. 10 days? Hatt did two things wrong, running and drinking, that should get you more than 10 days by themselves. He got 2 days for each time he's been convicted of drunk driving. And the police officer may never work again?!? I just don't get it.
Apparently we shouldn't be as worried about the liberal judges in this country as we should the incompetent ones. I wonder if Judge Polk was roommates in law school with the judge who wouldn't send the pedophile to jail for being too short?

Geek Alert

At MacWorld today, Apple unveiled its latest innovation, the iPhone. The phone combines with an iPod, web browser, and OS X operator to make every Apple tech geek just a bit giddy. So the drawback? Well, everything comes with a price. The iPhone comes with one that starts at $499. While I understand that, for someone that travels, this is worth the price. While I was cleaning the drool off of my laptop, my wife did remind me of my statement the other day. It was something about cell phones being the one tech gadget I don't need the biggest and best (I'm still debating having said that). Either way, I can still look, if I can't touch.

Starting the Year Off Right

The OWH stated that, to win a college football game, teams must be "hungier." Good to know 2007 hasn't changed their standards.

A Great Post to End the Year

I'm thinking this will be the last post of the year, unless I think or find something creative as I drink my Bud Light. But I'm guessing I'll probably be heading to the bar...
I found the blog, Come What May via the Plains Feeder (as usual). One of their latest posts, as the author puts it, makes us proud to be Nebraskans. Its spectacular, to say the least.
Happy New Year, everyone!

Babe Got Black Flagged For Bump-Drafting Piglet

With Muslim tension rising even more since the execution of Saddam, this touching story comes out of Katy, TX. This fine gentleman, in response to the Katy Islamic Association's plans to construct a mosque next to his land, has decided to host pig races. Knowing that everyone who reads this blog is well-educated, I don't need to explain what this means. Apparently, the neighbor, Craig Baker, thought the Muslims were after his land. Now, although he doesn't believe that anymore, he continues to hold the races because he would "look like a total idiot" if he quit hosting them now. Don't worry, I think you are a total idiot anyway. I'm not mad, just embarrassed. The spokesman for the KIA said they didn't care what he did with pigs.

Well, wasn't that easy?

In an update from a previous post, it seems that Hawaii is smart enough to figure out how to get a tree and a menorah in the same place at the same time. Congrats.

What the?

I don't know what is going on in the TV world. Last night, on "What About Brian?", the main character finds out that his love interest had an affair. During a confrontation, Brain said, "You had an affair with my father." Tonight, on a rerun (I think) of one of the Law & Order shows, a character found out some information that would've been helpful a little earlier. That information caused him to unhappily discover, "I had sex with my sister!"
It's good to know that TV programmers are relieving children from having to watch primetime TV.

Ho, ho...aw, screw it

I think that it is highly ridiculous that Christmas trees are being taken down because someone else isn't a Christian. In the Seattle airport, a rabbi's request to add a menorah brought down the rest of the trees. I get so annoyed by having to take down Christian decorations because other people don't like them. I don't blame the rabbi in this case, I blame the airport. What's wrong with putting up the menorah? Or any other religious affiliation? Why not show that you embrace other cultures instead of being the party pooper and saying that, if you can't have what you want, no one should? You run a public place with millions of people from millions of backgrounds coming through every day. Not only are you showing that you recognize their religions, you may invoke positive curiosities about those religions. That's OK. Be a humbug. I wish we heard more about those who do spread curiosity by putting up multiple religious decorations instead of these pansies who take their ball and go home because someone new wants to play.

Election Day passes

How the hell does Lee Terry get elected 5 times? Everyone I hear from, including Omaha TV News, says he's annoying, but he still wins. Its too bad Esch wasn't supported more.
The Feedlot has their own take on the elections.
Overall, there wasn't too many things I was surprised about. I was glad that Ricketts got the smack-down of a lifetime from Ben. He needs to go away quickly. While a bit immature, I chuckled at Ben's slams of Petey during the celebration. He quipped that he "could now go hunting," etc.
I was surprised that Hahn got as many votes as he got. It was still a landslide, but the fact that he seemed to be in hiding the last month or so and still had a relatively decent showing is fairly impressive. Maybe not.
I understand the uproar with having a Democratic majority in Washington, but if someone would come up with a good idea (i.e., a quick, safe exit plan [for both US & Iraq]), then it wouldn't matter the make up of Congress.

Another Brawl for the U

Florida International University wanted a little down-the-road-rivalry with Miami of Florida. Well, they didn't really get a game, as they lost by 35, but they got a brawl.
At first look, I didn't really have an opinion on the resulting suspensions. I didn't really care that Larry Coker, Miami coach, didn't get fired. I agreed that the only reason "the U" was getting ragged on was because they actually have a team (FIU is 0-7). But ESPN columnist Gene Wojciechowski brought up a good point: The reason why Coker should be fired and all eyes are on "the U" instead of FIU is because of the past. Not the cocky days of Michael Irvin and Jimmy Johnson. Since last year's Peach Bowl, Miami has been in 3 on field fights. Three.
So, I do apologize for not caring. As a college football fan who doesn't mind seeing a little pushing and shoving and trash talking, there is no place for what went on Saturday night. Who is FIU? Who even knew they had a team before Saturday night? And Miami: You're not better than that? I guess we shouldn't be surprised after the last few months. Grow up. Coker: See ya. Whatever the FIU coaches name is: Watch yourself, because hopefully your league (Sun Belt) and the NCAA should be.The NCAA has to step in if nothing further is going to be done. You can't let this continue if you want to keep your sport as pure as it still can be.

Why Politics Annoy Me

Yes I'm a Democrat. But I'm not a blind one. However, these are the types of statments that I just can't understand....Do these people really think we are this dumb?
From CNN:

House Majority Leader John Boehner, of Ohio, attributed the (Foley) scandal to partisan dirty tricks and said the uncovering of the messages just weeks before midterm elections "is concerning, at a minimum."

(Rep. Dennis)Hastert also suggested that the release of Foley's correspondences may be a ploy by Democrats to get the upper hand during next month's midterm elections.

He said the GOP was proud of its strides regarding the economy, border security and the war on terror, "So, you know, we have a good story to tell.

"Our friends on the other side of the aisle really don't have a story to tell, and maybe they're resolving to another way, to another political tactic," he said.

Seriously? The only reason this is coming out now is because its almost November? Tough crap, if true. Maybe, oh, I don't know, FOLEY SHOULDN'T HAVE FLIRTED WITH THE PAGE?!?!?!?
On the record, I could care less whether Hastert quits or not. I don't think he'll make it through the elections. If he does, shame on the people of Illinois, or shame to his opponent for being that lame.

On the Next VH1 Livin' in the Ought's: 2006

I think that, 10 years from now, when VH1 does it's Livin' In the 2000's, John Mark Karr is going to be the start of the show. He is going to be lauded for his free first-class trip back to the states from Thailand on the false pretenses that he's a psycho child lover. Now it turns out, between his lies and California cop screw-ups, Karr is walking free. I still think he's not all there and it wouldn't surprise me if he really did sexually abuse children, but the fact that he made it back from Thailand without paying a dime is borderline genius. No, I wouldn't recommend the battering ram that is the media, but its still free!
Still, what a freak. The picture tells the whole story.

The Feedlot has a nice little article on the same topic.

Watch the Republicans Scatter

In recent days, information has arose about the misconduct of one Mark Foley, a Republican Congressman from the great state of Florida. While some Republicans have known about these despicable exchanges between the representative and a page, including the 53 year old asking the teen page if he "made him horny", GOP leaders are now scattering faster than salad eaters at a spinach buffet. I understand, with the election only one month and change away, why the Republican party would do everything possible to distance themselves from this moron, but what made them wait until now to disclose the alleged emails/text messages? They knew last year, last spring, etc., that these could surface, so why wouldn't they take the hit in March and watch it calm over before November? Did they think something like this could stay hidden? This is big news, especially because of the age difference and male-male relationship (whether we like it or not). If they did think that this could stay under the table, does that mean there are similar acts that have been covered up by either party? I don't mean to play conspiracy theorist (because they annoy me), but I would've thought a Republican-led government would do anything it could to keep bad pub out of the media at this time of the year. They've got enough of it floating around...no need to add "improper relations" to the category.

NU Game

Three words sum up the Nebraska game: Against Troy State.

The Irony of Hugo

Hugo Chavez made comments about Bush this week that even ticked off Democrats. But the whole irony of the week is that, if someone went to Venezuela and mouthed off about the "devil" that Chavez is and the tirant that he is, they wouldn't make it out alive. But he can come here, on our soil, and mouth off about our "sick" president and make it out without a scratch. I've never been one to talk about how great Bush is, but this isn't what free speech is about. If you want to stand here and take the abuse that will undoubtedly be returned to you, great. But Hugey is sure to head home to make sure all of the papers get muted and rewritten to talk about how great his speech was and how Americans rejoiced with him and echoed his sentiments. I find it so incredibly ironic that one of the things that he stands against in his own country lets him speak to the world his short-sighted opinions in our country. Words can't describe this moron.
State 29 via the Feedlot has a great article on how not all of the Democrats were opposed to Chavey and his words (lacking in) wisdom. Thanks, Tom, for making me oh-so-proud to be a Democrat.

Or not...

Well, at least they kept it under 3 touchdowns!
Why did Nebraska lose? Cornerbacks and running backs. Both groups were seen way to often. The cornerbacks were usually in the background of pictures of the SC wide receivers and the running backs usually weren't very far from where the ball was hiked from.
On another note, Oklahoma got the shaft of the week. They should have been given the ball after an Oregon onside kick, but apparently the Pac 10 officiating crew missed the Oregon player illegally touching it. How they missed it, I have no idea. Apparently their only camera angle was from the end zone.

Deja-vu?

Remember how ESPN and all of the "experts" proclaimed USC was the greatest of all time, only to have the Trojans lose to Texas last year. Well, could the same thing be happening with the USC/NU game tonight? The only reason the "experts" are saying the Huskers have a chance is so people tune in. They are pathetically trying not to giggle as they suggest ways Nebraska can win. But don't forget what happened last time USC was proclaimed so great before they played the game....
Having said that, I'm predicting the Trojans win, but by less than the spread.

OWH vs. UNO

The Omaha World-Herald continued its personal vendetta against the administration at UNO in today's paper. Recently, the Herald started by discussing how they athletics department has been losing money since the hockey team moved to the Qwest Center a few years ago. Then they found that money had been "secretly" moved from account to account to make up for the loses. The University Regents said that, while they don't always need to know money is being transferred, it should've been mentioned to them instead of them having to hear about it in the paper. Oh, but the mud slinging didn't stop there. The next article was a he said, she said discussion about who should've known about all of this and who oversaw the account. After a golf membership being taken away and a few resignations, now the Herald has its sights set on Chancellor Nancy Belk and an apparent misrepresentation of how many people went to dinner with some UNO faculty while in Nashville. The original receipt showed the average meal to be $158, but when Belk turned in a copy of the receipts to the OWH, she stated that there was more people there than had originally been reported. When the OWH questioned the other faculty, they don't remember anyone else being there. This is good for UNO, in a way, because now maybe some will be cleaned up.

Opening Weekend of the 5th Season

Yes, I was born in Nebraska, but I am not a Husker apologist. Far from it, especially if you read back in the archives, you're sure to find evidence of that. Having said that, I love college football. There isn't anything like it. I would even say I enjoy being in Lincoln on football Saturdays, but I just don't appreciate homers.
Here's a few things that I'm taking away from this first weekend:
*Congrats to the Huskers on a fairly impressive first game. The defense was unbeatable at times and the offense showed flashes of brilliance. But the loss in the secondary could be costly for Nebraska if they run into a team that has a solid offensive line. It will be interesting.
*Go Georgia Tech! We here at the House are far more anti-Irish than anti-Husker. Right now the Irish are down by 3 in the 3rd. Georgia Tech is starting to shoot itself in the foot.
*Still a little leery about Texas. Yes, their new QB, Colt McCoy, was lights out, but it was North Texas. He'll see how well his pants fit him next week vs. Ohio St., who laid a shalacking on Northern Illinois.
*Not a good start for Dan Hawkins in Colorado. Oops.
Damnit. Notre Dame just scored. Somehow I figured their poise might be too much for Tech. I hate Brady Quinn like I hate Derek Jeter. They're both great athletes and play for winning teams. Just ticks me off.

Poor OPS

The OWH reported today that OPS Supt. Mackiel is nervous that the new Learning Community will be harmful to the OPS district. Who started this ball rolling? If it wasn't for OPS blindsiding the neighboring districts with their "One City, One School" fiasco, he wouldn't have to worry the Bennington now has the same rights as OPS, but Bennington won't be on their side. Why should we feel sorry for you? You played right into Ernie Chambers' devious hand. Don't be an evil dr. deegan and go against the progess that could be made by this very unwanted, very unnecessary board. You made your bed, lay in it and think next time before you open your big mouth. You've put yourself in this position and have been knocked down a few slots on the totem pole. Stop blaming everyone else for what you created.