After scarcely a year, the Arizona Diamondbacks have fired manager A.J. Hinch and have replaced him on an interim basis with bench coach Kirk Gibson.
Hinch was named manager in May 2009 after the team fired Bob Melvin.
If that weren't enough, the D'Backs also fired GM Josh Byrnes and have replaced him with Jerry DiPoto also on an interim basis. The former major league reliever was the D'Backs director of scouting and player personnel.
Gibby has no previous managerial experience. He's been the D'Backs bench coach since 2007. Previously, he was the bench coach with the Detroit Tigers from 2002-2005.
But, of course, Gibson has two World Series rings - one with the '84 Tigers and one with the '88 Dodgers. In both World Series, he hit memorable homeruns off future Hall of Fame closers. There was that three run shot off Goose Gossage in the Game 5 clincher in '84 as called by Ernie Harwell. Four years later, Gibson hit a walk off homerun off Dennis Eckersley on two bad legs as called by Vin Scully. It was his only at bat of that World Series. It was enough to demoralize the heavily favored Oakland Athletics and the Dodgers won it in five games. He sure knew how to pick his spots.
I'm not sure Gibby can do much with the last place D'Backs this year but I love his intensity. When he joined the Dodgers, relief pitcher Jesse Orosco put shaving cream in Gibby's cap. Not a wise move. He exploded at Orosco and the team telling them he wasn't there for hijinks. In a 1998 interview, Gibson said, "I made a statement and basically said if we keep this attitude, we'll finish in fourth place again."
If nothing else, the D'Backs will be more interesting to watch.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Braves Best Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg falls to 2-2 after a 5-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves tonight.
Strasburg was in a scoreless duel with Braves veteran starter Tim Hudson into the 7th inning when the Braves got to him for four runs, three of which were earned.
In six and one third innings pitched, Strasburg gave up three runs on six hits. He struck out seven and walked two. In thirty one and two thirds innings pitched, Strasburg has fanned 48 batters while walking only seven. That's a strikeouts to walks ratio of nearly 7 to 1.
Although Strasburg has lost back to back to starts, the Nationals haven't scored any runs for him. Over his last three starts, the Nats have scored one run.
His next start takes place this Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park in D.C. against the New York Mets.
Strasburg was in a scoreless duel with Braves veteran starter Tim Hudson into the 7th inning when the Braves got to him for four runs, three of which were earned.
In six and one third innings pitched, Strasburg gave up three runs on six hits. He struck out seven and walked two. In thirty one and two thirds innings pitched, Strasburg has fanned 48 batters while walking only seven. That's a strikeouts to walks ratio of nearly 7 to 1.
Although Strasburg has lost back to back to starts, the Nationals haven't scored any runs for him. Over his last three starts, the Nats have scored one run.
His next start takes place this Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park in D.C. against the New York Mets.
Robert Byrd, 1917-2010. R.I.P.
Senator Robert Byrd died this morning after a lengthy illness. He was 92.
Byrd was first elected to Congress in 1952. Six years later he was elected to the Senate. The people of West Virginia re-elected Byrd eight times and would serve until his death today. From 1971 to 1977, Byrd was the House Majority Whip. After Jimmy Carter's election, Byrd became Senate Majority Leader. When the GOP took control of the Senate in 1980, Byrd became Senate Minority Leader only to became Senate Majority Leader when Democrats regained control of the Senate after the 1986 mid-term elections.
At one time a dues paying member of the Ku Klux Klan, Robert Byrd would also filibuster against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Byrd would later disavow those views. It is worth noting that Byrd died almost seven years to the day that Strom Thurmond passed away. Thurmond, of course, filibustered against the Civil Rights Act of 1957. He, too, would disavow those views. Yet compare the headlines of their respective obituaries in The New York Times:
Strom Thurmond, Foe of Integration, Dies at 100
Robert Byrd, Respected Voice of the Senate, Dies at 92
It is also worth noting the obituaries were penned by the same writer, Adam Clymer. So even though both Thurmond and Byrd filibustered against civil rights legislation in the Senate it is Thurmond who was "foe of integration" while Byrd was "the respected voice of the Senate." Now I realize Clymer might not have been directly responsible for the headlines but one must wonder if Thurmond would have described differently upon his death had he remained a Democrat.
Byrd was first elected to Congress in 1952. Six years later he was elected to the Senate. The people of West Virginia re-elected Byrd eight times and would serve until his death today. From 1971 to 1977, Byrd was the House Majority Whip. After Jimmy Carter's election, Byrd became Senate Majority Leader. When the GOP took control of the Senate in 1980, Byrd became Senate Minority Leader only to became Senate Majority Leader when Democrats regained control of the Senate after the 1986 mid-term elections.
At one time a dues paying member of the Ku Klux Klan, Robert Byrd would also filibuster against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Byrd would later disavow those views. It is worth noting that Byrd died almost seven years to the day that Strom Thurmond passed away. Thurmond, of course, filibustered against the Civil Rights Act of 1957. He, too, would disavow those views. Yet compare the headlines of their respective obituaries in The New York Times:
Strom Thurmond, Foe of Integration, Dies at 100
Robert Byrd, Respected Voice of the Senate, Dies at 92
It is also worth noting the obituaries were penned by the same writer, Adam Clymer. So even though both Thurmond and Byrd filibustered against civil rights legislation in the Senate it is Thurmond who was "foe of integration" while Byrd was "the respected voice of the Senate." Now I realize Clymer might not have been directly responsible for the headlines but one must wonder if Thurmond would have described differently upon his death had he remained a Democrat.
National Review Endorses McCain
This morning the editorial board at National Review endorsed John McCain over J.D. Hayworth in the Arizona GOP Senate Primary.
What are your thoughts Rachel?
What are your thoughts Rachel?
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Ruff: Obama Won't Run in 2012
During a recent appearance on CNBC, investor Howard Ruff predicted President Obama would not seek re-election in 2012.
Ruff said, "He's achieved highs no president has ever achieved before and plummeting at probably the worst rate of any president I've ever seen in my lifetime, and I've been around a long time." Ruff is nearly 80.
Ruff has certainly seen more Presidents than I have but I don't agree with his prediction. Given Obama's massive ego this scenario is inconceivable to me. If no Democrat challenges him in the primaries why would he even conceive of not running. Obama's mission is to radically transform America and he can't do that if he doesn't seek another term in office.
Ruff said, "He's achieved highs no president has ever achieved before and plummeting at probably the worst rate of any president I've ever seen in my lifetime, and I've been around a long time." Ruff is nearly 80.
Ruff has certainly seen more Presidents than I have but I don't agree with his prediction. Given Obama's massive ego this scenario is inconceivable to me. If no Democrat challenges him in the primaries why would he even conceive of not running. Obama's mission is to radically transform America and he can't do that if he doesn't seek another term in office.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Iran: It's About Breaking Israel's Blockade Not Aid for Gaza
Iran has cancelled plans to send a ship containing "aid" to the Gaza Strip.
I find Iran's reasoning to be very revealing. Hossein Sheikholeslam (now there's a name), Chairman of the International Conference for the Support of the Palestinian Intifada - an Iranian government body - states:
The Zionist regime has made the blockade a political issue and we do not wish to politicize this kind of humanitarian aid because the most important thing for us to break the blockade of Gaza.
So there you have it. Humanitarian aid takes a back seat to breaking the blockade. It was never about humanitarian aid. If it was Hamas would have accepted the aid aboard from the Mavi Marmara. But since it was handled by Jews...Iran and Turkey are acting in common cause. This is about waging war against Israel. Pure and simple.
I find Iran's reasoning to be very revealing. Hossein Sheikholeslam (now there's a name), Chairman of the International Conference for the Support of the Palestinian Intifada - an Iranian government body - states:
The Zionist regime has made the blockade a political issue and we do not wish to politicize this kind of humanitarian aid because the most important thing for us to break the blockade of Gaza.
So there you have it. Humanitarian aid takes a back seat to breaking the blockade. It was never about humanitarian aid. If it was Hamas would have accepted the aid aboard from the Mavi Marmara. But since it was handled by Jews...Iran and Turkey are acting in common cause. This is about waging war against Israel. Pure and simple.
Edwin Jackson No-Hits The Rays
It was no perfect game.
Far from it.
But Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Edwin Jackson returned to Tropicana Field and threw a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays. The D'Backs won 1-0. Their only run came on a solo homerun by Adam LaRoche.
A no-hitter appeared to be the furthest thing imaginable when Jackson walked seven batters over the first three innings. But Jackson became stronger as he went on. Despite hurling 149 pitches his fastball was clocked at 95 MPH in the ninth inning.
This has to be so sweet for Jackson. He was a member of the Rays from 2006-2008. Although Jackson won 14 games for the Rays en route to an American League championship he was left off the playoff roster and would be dealt to the Detroit Tigers in the off season.
Jackson, of course, became a D'Back via a three way trade with the Tigers and New York Yankees.
This is the fourth no-hitter of the 2010 season. The other no-nos belong to Ubaldo Jimenez of the Colorado Rockies, Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics and Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies. Braden and Halladay, of course, threw perfect games. (Armando Galarraga should have had a perfect game. But life isn't fair.)
It also marks the second time this season the Rays have been on the wrong end of a no-hitter. The Rays were on the receiving end of Braden's perfecto. Mark Buehrle also threw a perfect game against the Rays during the 2009 season.
I watched the last three innings of Jackson's no-no on the MLB Network. I wondered if A.J. Hinch would pull a Preston Gomez and take Jackson out of the game because of his pitch count. In case you are wondering, Gomez (who died in 2009) on two occasions removed pitchers who were throwing no-hitters. He did it first with Clay Kirby while managing the San Diego Padres in 1970 and then did it again with Don Wilson while managing the Houston Astros in 1974. While both pitchers were losing their games when Gomez removed the strategy did not pay off on either occasion.
But after the no-hitter, Jackson said he told Hinch in no uncertain term he wasn't coming out of the game. Will this adversely affect over the rest of the season? Maybe. Maybe not. But Edwin Jackson will forever be in the record books as having pitched a no-hitter and nobody can take that away from him.
Far from it.
But Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Edwin Jackson returned to Tropicana Field and threw a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays. The D'Backs won 1-0. Their only run came on a solo homerun by Adam LaRoche.
A no-hitter appeared to be the furthest thing imaginable when Jackson walked seven batters over the first three innings. But Jackson became stronger as he went on. Despite hurling 149 pitches his fastball was clocked at 95 MPH in the ninth inning.
This has to be so sweet for Jackson. He was a member of the Rays from 2006-2008. Although Jackson won 14 games for the Rays en route to an American League championship he was left off the playoff roster and would be dealt to the Detroit Tigers in the off season.
Jackson, of course, became a D'Back via a three way trade with the Tigers and New York Yankees.
This is the fourth no-hitter of the 2010 season. The other no-nos belong to Ubaldo Jimenez of the Colorado Rockies, Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics and Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies. Braden and Halladay, of course, threw perfect games. (Armando Galarraga should have had a perfect game. But life isn't fair.)
It also marks the second time this season the Rays have been on the wrong end of a no-hitter. The Rays were on the receiving end of Braden's perfecto. Mark Buehrle also threw a perfect game against the Rays during the 2009 season.
I watched the last three innings of Jackson's no-no on the MLB Network. I wondered if A.J. Hinch would pull a Preston Gomez and take Jackson out of the game because of his pitch count. In case you are wondering, Gomez (who died in 2009) on two occasions removed pitchers who were throwing no-hitters. He did it first with Clay Kirby while managing the San Diego Padres in 1970 and then did it again with Don Wilson while managing the Houston Astros in 1974. While both pitchers were losing their games when Gomez removed the strategy did not pay off on either occasion.
But after the no-hitter, Jackson said he told Hinch in no uncertain term he wasn't coming out of the game. Will this adversely affect over the rest of the season? Maybe. Maybe not. But Edwin Jackson will forever be in the record books as having pitched a no-hitter and nobody can take that away from him.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
If You Thought Baseball Games Were Long....
Imagine being at Wimbledon and witnessing a match that took eleven hours and five minutes to complete over three days.
American John Isner defeated Nicholas Mahut of France in five sets by a final score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68.
That's not a typo. The fifth set went 70-68.
Isner now advances to the second round. I think he might be exhausted. Exhilarated but exhausted.
Well, at least there are no vuvuzelas at Wimbledon. Quiet please.
American John Isner defeated Nicholas Mahut of France in five sets by a final score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68.
That's not a typo. The fifth set went 70-68.
Isner now advances to the second round. I think he might be exhausted. Exhilarated but exhausted.
Well, at least there are no vuvuzelas at Wimbledon. Quiet please.
Michael Jackson & Islam
Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the passing of Michael Jackson.
His older brother Jermaine said in an interview with the BBC that if the King of Pop had embraced Islam he would still be amongst us.
He was reading a lot of books [about Islam], because I brought him books from Saudi Arabia. I brought him books from Bahrain," said Jermaine.
If Jermaine Jackson (who himself is a convert to Islam) was bringing him books from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for his brother to read one must wonder what sort of books did he bring along. Did he bring his brother the sort of books which claim Jews wish to gain control of the world? The Wahhabis aren't exactly known for pluralism or religious tolerance.
Just something to think about.
His older brother Jermaine said in an interview with the BBC that if the King of Pop had embraced Islam he would still be amongst us.
He was reading a lot of books [about Islam], because I brought him books from Saudi Arabia. I brought him books from Bahrain," said Jermaine.
If Jermaine Jackson (who himself is a convert to Islam) was bringing him books from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for his brother to read one must wonder what sort of books did he bring along. Did he bring his brother the sort of books which claim Jews wish to gain control of the world? The Wahhabis aren't exactly known for pluralism or religious tolerance.
Just something to think about.
CSM Calls Ahmadinejad a "Neoconservative"
I came across this piece in The Christian Science Monitor titled, "Does Israel suffer from Iranophobia?" It's basically about some left-wing Israeli academics who believe Israeli politicians are overblowing the threat from Iran.
But I was quite struck by this passage in the article:
How powerful is that anti-Iran mindset in Israel? How is fear of an Iranian nuclear weapon heightened by the blasts of anti-Israel invective from the neoconservative government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran?
Ahmadinejad is many things. A neoconservative isn't one of them. When I think of a neoconservative I think of Charles Krauthammer, Bill Kristol or Norman Podhoretz. Given that neoconservatism is associated with Jews I am certain Ahmadinejad would bristle at being associated with them. That passage also tells me the staff writer for The Christian Science Monitor doesn't know what neoconservatism is.
But I was quite struck by this passage in the article:
How powerful is that anti-Iran mindset in Israel? How is fear of an Iranian nuclear weapon heightened by the blasts of anti-Israel invective from the neoconservative government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran?
Ahmadinejad is many things. A neoconservative isn't one of them. When I think of a neoconservative I think of Charles Krauthammer, Bill Kristol or Norman Podhoretz. Given that neoconservatism is associated with Jews I am certain Ahmadinejad would bristle at being associated with them. That passage also tells me the staff writer for The Christian Science Monitor doesn't know what neoconservatism is.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
A Very Australian Coup
Imagine if Hillary Clinton walked into the Oval Office and told President Obama she had requested a vote of confidence by the Democratic Party in his leadership. Imagine also that Hillary informed Obama that she would be challenging him for his leadership.
This is essentially what just happened in Australia. Yesterday, Julia Gillard was Deputy Leader of Australia's governing Labor Party. Gillard informed Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd there would a leadership vote against him in 24 hours and that she would be standing against him. Rudd declined to participate in the leadership contest. Today, Julia Gillard is the Prime Minister of Australia and at helm of Australia's Labor Party.
What a dramatic fall from grace for Rudd who less than three years ago soundly defeated the Liberal-National government of John Howard. The discontent with Rudd centered around his environmental policies. The Left was angry with him for abandoning a cap and trade plan (called an emissions trading scheme Down Under) while the Right was angry with him for trying to impose a "super tax" on the resource sector.
For her part, Gillard becomes the first woman to serve as Australia's Prime Minister. However, Gillard has her cut out for her as the Labor Party is behind in the polls to the Liberals who are led by Tony Abbott. But with an election not expected until October or November, Gillard has time on her side.
Ironically, Abbott wrested the Liberal Party leadership away from Malcolm Turnbull last December because of his support for an emissions trading scheme.
This was a very Australian coup indeed.
This is essentially what just happened in Australia. Yesterday, Julia Gillard was Deputy Leader of Australia's governing Labor Party. Gillard informed Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd there would a leadership vote against him in 24 hours and that she would be standing against him. Rudd declined to participate in the leadership contest. Today, Julia Gillard is the Prime Minister of Australia and at helm of Australia's Labor Party.
What a dramatic fall from grace for Rudd who less than three years ago soundly defeated the Liberal-National government of John Howard. The discontent with Rudd centered around his environmental policies. The Left was angry with him for abandoning a cap and trade plan (called an emissions trading scheme Down Under) while the Right was angry with him for trying to impose a "super tax" on the resource sector.
For her part, Gillard becomes the first woman to serve as Australia's Prime Minister. However, Gillard has her cut out for her as the Labor Party is behind in the polls to the Liberals who are led by Tony Abbott. But with an election not expected until October or November, Gillard has time on her side.
Ironically, Abbott wrested the Liberal Party leadership away from Malcolm Turnbull last December because of his support for an emissions trading scheme.
This was a very Australian coup indeed.
Royals Hand Strasburg First MLB Loss
Stephen Strasburg suffered his first MLB loss this afternoon as the Kansas City Royals bested the Washington Nationals 1-0.
Although Strasburg surrendered nine hits in six innings pitched he did strike out another nine batters without walking anyone. The only run Strasburg surrendered was a RBI single to Jose Guillen in the top of the 5th.
In four starts, Strasburg has struck out 41 batters in 25 and one third innings pitched while walking only five. All five of those walks came in his second start in Cleveland when he trouble with the mound at Progressive Field. So in three starts at Nationals Park, Strasburg has yet to yield a walk in 20 innings pitched.
In his last two starts, Strasburg has surrendered only two runs in 13 innings pitched. He has a no decision and a loss to show for his efforts. The Nationals have scored only one run in those two starts. But given that the Nats are not a good team it is to be expected that Strasburg's won loss record won't be as impressive as his ERA and strikeout totals.
Strasburg's next start will be against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Braves are actually the first team he's faced with a winning record. It will be interesting to see if Strasburg has any problems with the mound in Atlanta. It will also be interesting to see how he fares against Braves rookie sensation Jason Heyward.
Although Strasburg surrendered nine hits in six innings pitched he did strike out another nine batters without walking anyone. The only run Strasburg surrendered was a RBI single to Jose Guillen in the top of the 5th.
In four starts, Strasburg has struck out 41 batters in 25 and one third innings pitched while walking only five. All five of those walks came in his second start in Cleveland when he trouble with the mound at Progressive Field. So in three starts at Nationals Park, Strasburg has yet to yield a walk in 20 innings pitched.
In his last two starts, Strasburg has surrendered only two runs in 13 innings pitched. He has a no decision and a loss to show for his efforts. The Nationals have scored only one run in those two starts. But given that the Nats are not a good team it is to be expected that Strasburg's won loss record won't be as impressive as his ERA and strikeout totals.
Strasburg's next start will be against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Braves are actually the first team he's faced with a winning record. It will be interesting to see if Strasburg has any problems with the mound in Atlanta. It will also be interesting to see how he fares against Braves rookie sensation Jason Heyward.
Petraeus to Relieve McChrystal in Afghanistan
General Stanley McChrystal has resigned his command and CENTCOM Commander General David Petraeus is set to pick up the slack in Afghanistan.
Under the circumstances it is probably for the best.
Americans have confidence in Petraeus for what he did with the surge in Iraq. If Petraeus can't fix Afghanistan then perhaps no one can. Of course, if Petraeus can't fix Afghanistan then it will reflect poorly on President Obama. Should things not improve then one might argue that Obama overreacted to the McChrystal article and let his personal feelings get in the way of prosecuting a war.
Of course, if Petraeus does restore order in Afghanistan then Obama comes out smelling roses. It might not hide the smell of the BP spill but it would certainly help him.
Under the circumstances it is probably for the best.
Americans have confidence in Petraeus for what he did with the surge in Iraq. If Petraeus can't fix Afghanistan then perhaps no one can. Of course, if Petraeus can't fix Afghanistan then it will reflect poorly on President Obama. Should things not improve then one might argue that Obama overreacted to the McChrystal article and let his personal feelings get in the way of prosecuting a war.
Of course, if Petraeus does restore order in Afghanistan then Obama comes out smelling roses. It might not hide the smell of the BP spill but it would certainly help him.
Marlins Fire Fredi Gonzalez
The Florida Marlins have fired manager Fredi Gonzalez and have replaced him with Edwin Rodriguez on an interim basis.
The Marlins also fired bench coach Carlos Tosca and hitting coach Jim Presley.
I am not shocked by this move. The Marlins do have a losing record but at 34-36 they are far from awful. They are 7½ games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East and are underachieving. Gonzalez had been at the helm of the Marlins since 2007 and despite winning records the last two seasons I think Jeffrey Loria was expecting more in 2010.
Now one could argue the Marlins have a low payroll. But the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers have even smaller payrolls than the Marlins and they are currently atop the NL West and the AL West, respectively. So money doesn't guarantee a pennant winner.
Or perhaps Loria didn't like it when Gonzalez briefly benched star player Hanley Ramirez last month.
I don't know much about Rodriguez other than he was manager with the Marlins' AAA affiliate in New Orleans and that he had a brief MLB playing career with the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres in the early to mid 1980s. Rodriguez has been with the Marlins organization since 2004 so the players are familiar with him.
The last time the Marlins changed managers in the middle of the season was in 2003. When Jack McKeon replaced Jeff Torborg all the Marlins did was win their second World Series title in franchise history.
But unless Rodriguez has the McKeon magic he is likely a stop gap measure because apparently Loria is hot and heavy for former Texas Rangers and New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine.
The Marlins also fired bench coach Carlos Tosca and hitting coach Jim Presley.
I am not shocked by this move. The Marlins do have a losing record but at 34-36 they are far from awful. They are 7½ games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East and are underachieving. Gonzalez had been at the helm of the Marlins since 2007 and despite winning records the last two seasons I think Jeffrey Loria was expecting more in 2010.
Now one could argue the Marlins have a low payroll. But the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers have even smaller payrolls than the Marlins and they are currently atop the NL West and the AL West, respectively. So money doesn't guarantee a pennant winner.
Or perhaps Loria didn't like it when Gonzalez briefly benched star player Hanley Ramirez last month.
I don't know much about Rodriguez other than he was manager with the Marlins' AAA affiliate in New Orleans and that he had a brief MLB playing career with the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres in the early to mid 1980s. Rodriguez has been with the Marlins organization since 2004 so the players are familiar with him.
The last time the Marlins changed managers in the middle of the season was in 2003. When Jack McKeon replaced Jeff Torborg all the Marlins did was win their second World Series title in franchise history.
But unless Rodriguez has the McKeon magic he is likely a stop gap measure because apparently Loria is hot and heavy for former Texas Rangers and New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine.
U.S. Defeats Algeria Despite More Referee Shenanigans
Cheers erupted in the cafeteria when Landon Donovan scored the game winning goal to give the U.S. a 1-0 victory over Algeria and advance it to the Round of 16 in the 2010 World Cup.
The U.S. had actually scored a goal earlier in the game but once again a referee disallowed the goal. Last Friday, the U.S. was denied what would have been a game winning goal against Slovenia and had to settle for a 2-2 tie. As was the case on Friday, the official made the wrong call. Had Donovan not scored the goal another tie would have eliminated the U.S. from the World Cup altogether.
The U.S. is scheduled to play on Saturday against the second place finisher in Group D which is most likely going to be either Germany or Ghana.
Either the officiating is incompetent or it is intentionally anti-American. Whatever the reason, I have a feeling this won't be the last time a referee will become an issue for the U.S. team. After all, things do come in threes.
The U.S. had actually scored a goal earlier in the game but once again a referee disallowed the goal. Last Friday, the U.S. was denied what would have been a game winning goal against Slovenia and had to settle for a 2-2 tie. As was the case on Friday, the official made the wrong call. Had Donovan not scored the goal another tie would have eliminated the U.S. from the World Cup altogether.
The U.S. is scheduled to play on Saturday against the second place finisher in Group D which is most likely going to be either Germany or Ghana.
Either the officiating is incompetent or it is intentionally anti-American. Whatever the reason, I have a feeling this won't be the last time a referee will become an issue for the U.S. team. After all, things do come in threes.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Haley & Scott Triumph in South Carolina
The next time someone from Brookline, Cambridge or Jamaica Plain or any other left-wing precinct dismisses conservatives and Republicans as racist I will direct their attention to South Carolina.
Tonight, Nikki Haley became the GOP gubernatorial nominee while Tim Scott is the Republican standard bearer for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Oh, did I mention that Haley happens to be of Indian heritage while Scott is black?
If this isn't evidence that South Carolina Republicans are color blind then I don't know what is?
To put it into perspective, Scott trounced Paul Thurmond by better than a two to one margin. That would be Thurmond as in the son of the late Strom Thurmond.
Of course, like poverty, racism will always be with us. As was the case earlier this month when S.C. GOP State Senator Jake Knotts referred to Haley (as well as President Obama) as a "raghead". South Carolina Republicans swiftly repudiated Knotts.
Haley and Scott earned their victories tonight through the content of their character and through the content of their ideas.
Both Haley and Scott will have tough races in November but given the increasingly conservative mood of the country Haley and Scott might have overcome their biggest obstacles tonight.
Tonight, Nikki Haley became the GOP gubernatorial nominee while Tim Scott is the Republican standard bearer for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Oh, did I mention that Haley happens to be of Indian heritage while Scott is black?
If this isn't evidence that South Carolina Republicans are color blind then I don't know what is?
To put it into perspective, Scott trounced Paul Thurmond by better than a two to one margin. That would be Thurmond as in the son of the late Strom Thurmond.
Of course, like poverty, racism will always be with us. As was the case earlier this month when S.C. GOP State Senator Jake Knotts referred to Haley (as well as President Obama) as a "raghead". South Carolina Republicans swiftly repudiated Knotts.
Haley and Scott earned their victories tonight through the content of their character and through the content of their ideas.
Both Haley and Scott will have tough races in November but given the increasingly conservative mood of the country Haley and Scott might have overcome their biggest obstacles tonight.
Judge Overturns Obama's Deepwater Drilling Moratorium
A district court judge has overturned the Obama Administration's six month moratorium on deepwater drilling. Judge Martin Feldman said the Department of the Interior failed to provide adequate reasoning for the moratorium. The Obama Administration intends to appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court.
The moratorium was imposed after the BP oil spill in April.
Banning deepwater drilling seemed like a kneejerk move to me. It would be kind of like imposing a moratorium on auto manufacturers because there are too many car accidents.
But we shall see how the Fifth Circuit rules.
The moratorium was imposed after the BP oil spill in April.
Banning deepwater drilling seemed like a kneejerk move to me. It would be kind of like imposing a moratorium on auto manufacturers because there are too many car accidents.
But we shall see how the Fifth Circuit rules.
Prediction: General McChrystal Will Resign
It is clear that President Obama and General Stanley McChrystal were never on the same page. The President squeezed McChrystal in his schedule last October while focusing on a greater priority - Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics. We all know how well that worked out.
While I have no doubt Obama didn't endear himself to McChrystal in his position he has to suck it up. I can't see how McChrystal remains as Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan. Not after he talked to Rolling Stone. The Taliban and al-Qaeda are dancing in their caves.
We all know how well Obama takes criticism. Even if Obama doesn't fire McChrystal today I don't see how they can repair their relationship assuming they ever had one in the first place. How can they fight a war together if they are at war with each other? This isn't to say that Presidents and General can't have disagreements. Those disagreements just have to be behind closed doors.
Given that McChrystal has as much pride as Obama and couldn't countenance the prospect of being dismissed I think he will pre-empt the President and offer his resignation.
While I have no doubt Obama didn't endear himself to McChrystal in his position he has to suck it up. I can't see how McChrystal remains as Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan. Not after he talked to Rolling Stone. The Taliban and al-Qaeda are dancing in their caves.
We all know how well Obama takes criticism. Even if Obama doesn't fire McChrystal today I don't see how they can repair their relationship assuming they ever had one in the first place. How can they fight a war together if they are at war with each other? This isn't to say that Presidents and General can't have disagreements. Those disagreements just have to be behind closed doors.
Given that McChrystal has as much pride as Obama and couldn't countenance the prospect of being dismissed I think he will pre-empt the President and offer his resignation.
Monday, June 21, 2010
If I Were On The North Korean Soccer Team....
I would find a way to defect.
I can't imagine Kim Jong-il is amused North Korea was trounced 7-0 by Portugal and eliminated from the World Cup Tournament.
Methinks they will be headed to a labor camp along with their coach. Yet apparently the coach received advice from Kim himself. But I don't think Kim is going to fall on his sword. With that in mind I don't think he'll refrain from giving advice to the North Korean fencing team.
I can't imagine Kim Jong-il is amused North Korea was trounced 7-0 by Portugal and eliminated from the World Cup Tournament.
Methinks they will be headed to a labor camp along with their coach. Yet apparently the coach received advice from Kim himself. But I don't think Kim is going to fall on his sword. With that in mind I don't think he'll refrain from giving advice to the North Korean fencing team.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Shelby Steele's Must Read Article on Israel & The West
Shelby Steele has written a must read article on the surrender of the West to anti-Israel sentiment in Monday's online edition of The Wall Street Journal:
This is now - figuratively in some quarters and literally in others - the moral template through which Israel is seen. It doesn't matter that much of the world may actually know better. This template has become propriety itself, a form of good manners, a political correctness. Thus it is good manners to be outraged at Israel's blockade of Gaza, and it is bad manners to be outraged at Hamas's recent attack on a school because it educated girls, or at the thousands of rockets Hamas had fired into Israeli towns - or even at the fact that Hamas is armed and funded by Iran. The world wants independent investigations of Israel, not of Hamas.
One reason for this is that the entire Western world has suffered from a deficit of moral authority for decades now. Today we in the West are reluctant to use our full military might in war lest we seem imperialistic; we hesitate to enforce our borders lest we seem racist; we are reluctant to ask for assimilation from new immigrants lest we seem xenophobic; and we are pained to give Western Civilization primacy in our educational curricula lest we seem supremacist. Today, the West lives on the defensive; the very legitimacy of our modern societies requiring constant dissociation from the sins of the Western past - racism, economic exploitation, imperialism and so on.
Steele is spot on here. Of course, there are exceptions within the Western world. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper comes to mind. Not only with the flotilla incident but his evisceration of Libby Davies, an MP who is the Deputy Leader of the New Democratic Party (my old political home). Harper lambasted Davies for her suggestion that Israeli occupation commenced in 1948 and thus questioning Israel's very legitimacy and also took NDP leader Jack Layton to task for not removing her from her post. The Prime Minister went as far as to liken Davies to disgraced former White House correspondent Helen Thomas.
Nonetheless, Harper is an exception. Mix in white liberal guilt with an old hatred and you have a potent poison too many in the West are not only happy to drink but are prepared to give to others. Steele's article represents a drop of reason in a sea of irrationality.
This is now - figuratively in some quarters and literally in others - the moral template through which Israel is seen. It doesn't matter that much of the world may actually know better. This template has become propriety itself, a form of good manners, a political correctness. Thus it is good manners to be outraged at Israel's blockade of Gaza, and it is bad manners to be outraged at Hamas's recent attack on a school because it educated girls, or at the thousands of rockets Hamas had fired into Israeli towns - or even at the fact that Hamas is armed and funded by Iran. The world wants independent investigations of Israel, not of Hamas.
One reason for this is that the entire Western world has suffered from a deficit of moral authority for decades now. Today we in the West are reluctant to use our full military might in war lest we seem imperialistic; we hesitate to enforce our borders lest we seem racist; we are reluctant to ask for assimilation from new immigrants lest we seem xenophobic; and we are pained to give Western Civilization primacy in our educational curricula lest we seem supremacist. Today, the West lives on the defensive; the very legitimacy of our modern societies requiring constant dissociation from the sins of the Western past - racism, economic exploitation, imperialism and so on.
Steele is spot on here. Of course, there are exceptions within the Western world. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper comes to mind. Not only with the flotilla incident but his evisceration of Libby Davies, an MP who is the Deputy Leader of the New Democratic Party (my old political home). Harper lambasted Davies for her suggestion that Israeli occupation commenced in 1948 and thus questioning Israel's very legitimacy and also took NDP leader Jack Layton to task for not removing her from her post. The Prime Minister went as far as to liken Davies to disgraced former White House correspondent Helen Thomas.
Nonetheless, Harper is an exception. Mix in white liberal guilt with an old hatred and you have a potent poison too many in the West are not only happy to drink but are prepared to give to others. Steele's article represents a drop of reason in a sea of irrationality.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
There's No Vuvuzelas in Baseball
The World Cup in South Africa has been besieged with vuvuzelas.
While I was listening to the Red Sox-Dodgers game on the radio, Dave O'Brien said that 15,000 vuvuzelas were going to be handed out at Sun Life Stadium in Miami at tonight's Florida Marlins-Tampa Bay Rays game.
I said to myself, "Well, at least I don't have to watch that game."
Or so I thought.
The MLB Network had scheduled the Oakland Athletics-St. Louis Cardinals game but instead showed the Rays and Marlins. So for 11 innings I had to endure the vuvuzelas with the Rays holding off the Marlins 9-8. What's astonishing is with a little over 23,000 fans in attendance the stadium was two thirds empty.
In fact, I think the vuvuzelas were a negative factor in the game. In the ninth inning, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez made a double switch in the lineup placing shortstop Brian Barden in the ninth spot and third baseman Wes Helms in the third spot. But home plate umpire Lance Barksdale didn't write down the changes correctly and Barden batting third and Helms batting ninth and conveyed this information to Rays manager Joe Maddon. When Maddon pointed out the discrepancy after a walk was issued to Barden, Barksdale called Barden out for batting out of order. Gonzalez was subsequently ejected from the game for arguing the call.
While the Marlins broadcasters discussed a miscommunication they did not mention the vuvuzelas could have impeded Barksdale's hearing. Vuvuzelas don't belong in baseball.
Yet I have a funny feeling the vuvuzelas will be heard when soccer comes to Fenway Park next month. Well, as long as it doesn't take place during Red Sox games.
While I was listening to the Red Sox-Dodgers game on the radio, Dave O'Brien said that 15,000 vuvuzelas were going to be handed out at Sun Life Stadium in Miami at tonight's Florida Marlins-Tampa Bay Rays game.
I said to myself, "Well, at least I don't have to watch that game."
Or so I thought.
The MLB Network had scheduled the Oakland Athletics-St. Louis Cardinals game but instead showed the Rays and Marlins. So for 11 innings I had to endure the vuvuzelas with the Rays holding off the Marlins 9-8. What's astonishing is with a little over 23,000 fans in attendance the stadium was two thirds empty.
In fact, I think the vuvuzelas were a negative factor in the game. In the ninth inning, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez made a double switch in the lineup placing shortstop Brian Barden in the ninth spot and third baseman Wes Helms in the third spot. But home plate umpire Lance Barksdale didn't write down the changes correctly and Barden batting third and Helms batting ninth and conveyed this information to Rays manager Joe Maddon. When Maddon pointed out the discrepancy after a walk was issued to Barden, Barksdale called Barden out for batting out of order. Gonzalez was subsequently ejected from the game for arguing the call.
While the Marlins broadcasters discussed a miscommunication they did not mention the vuvuzelas could have impeded Barksdale's hearing. Vuvuzelas don't belong in baseball.
Yet I have a funny feeling the vuvuzelas will be heard when soccer comes to Fenway Park next month. Well, as long as it doesn't take place during Red Sox games.
Manute Bol, 1962-2010. R.I.P.
Former NBA great Manute Bol died today of kidney failure and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare skin disorder. He was 47.
Bol apparently became ill last month after visiting his native Sudan.
Standing seven feet, seven inches, Bol was the tallest player in NBA history.
But Bol stood even taller when it came to the plight of those in his native Sudan. After his NBA career ended, Bol returned to Sudan despite an ongoing civil war that had taken a toll on members of his Dinka tribe. In recognition of his popularity, the Sudanese government offered him a cabinet post. However, there was a catch.
He would have to convert to Islam.
Bol, who was raised a Christian, refused.
From then on, the Sudanese government made his life hell accusing him of being a spy following President Clinton's decision to bomb Sudan following the attacks on the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. While he would eventually be allowed to leave Sudan he had to essentially pay the government a bribe to exit the country. After some time in Egypt, Bol was allowed to come to the United States as a refugee in 2002.
Bol sustained a broken neck in a car accident in 2004. But it wouldn't deter him from trying to help his people.
Here's a short interview Bol did with Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugged following the launch of the Sudan Freedom Walk in New York in March 2006.
Now there walked a brave man.
Bol apparently became ill last month after visiting his native Sudan.
Standing seven feet, seven inches, Bol was the tallest player in NBA history.
But Bol stood even taller when it came to the plight of those in his native Sudan. After his NBA career ended, Bol returned to Sudan despite an ongoing civil war that had taken a toll on members of his Dinka tribe. In recognition of his popularity, the Sudanese government offered him a cabinet post. However, there was a catch.
He would have to convert to Islam.
Bol, who was raised a Christian, refused.
From then on, the Sudanese government made his life hell accusing him of being a spy following President Clinton's decision to bomb Sudan following the attacks on the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. While he would eventually be allowed to leave Sudan he had to essentially pay the government a bribe to exit the country. After some time in Egypt, Bol was allowed to come to the United States as a refugee in 2002.
Bol sustained a broken neck in a car accident in 2004. But it wouldn't deter him from trying to help his people.
Here's a short interview Bol did with Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugged following the launch of the Sudan Freedom Walk in New York in March 2006.
Now there walked a brave man.
Friday, June 18, 2010
A Mixed Reception for Manny
Tonight marked the return of Manny Ramirez to Fenway Park.
He actually received a better reception than I thought. While Manny was mostly jeered there were plenty of "Manny!!! Manny!!!" chants.
He certainly didn't receive the rough ride Johnny Damon or Roger Clemens received during their return visits to Fenway. Then again Manny wasn't wearing Yankee pinstripes.
Manny's reception was still surprising considering the Dodgers arrived in town the night after the Celtics fell to the Lakers in the NBA Final.
Manny went 1 for 5 tonight. Daniel Bard struck him out looking in the ninth to end the game and earn the save. It was only in that at bat that the "Beat L.A." chant really kicked in. The Sox won 10-6.
Here's an article I wrote about Manny the day the Sox traded him to the Dodgers. It's hard to believe that was nearly two years ago.
He actually received a better reception than I thought. While Manny was mostly jeered there were plenty of "Manny!!! Manny!!!" chants.
He certainly didn't receive the rough ride Johnny Damon or Roger Clemens received during their return visits to Fenway. Then again Manny wasn't wearing Yankee pinstripes.
Manny's reception was still surprising considering the Dodgers arrived in town the night after the Celtics fell to the Lakers in the NBA Final.
Manny went 1 for 5 tonight. Daniel Bard struck him out looking in the ninth to end the game and earn the save. It was only in that at bat that the "Beat L.A." chant really kicked in. The Sox won 10-6.
Here's an article I wrote about Manny the day the Sox traded him to the Dodgers. It's hard to believe that was nearly two years ago.
Strasburg Strikes Out Ten; Nats Lose in Eleven
Stephen Strasburg struck out ten batters in seven innings pitched tonight against the Chicago White Sox at Nationals Park. He also did not walk a batter.
However, Strasburg would not be involved in the decision as the Nationals would lose 2-1 in 11 innings.
Strasburg ran into first inning trouble when Juan Pierre legged out an infield hit and Omar Vizquel hit a bloop double to get Pierre to third. Pierre would score on a groundout by Alex Rios.
The Nationals scored their only run on a double by Adam Dunn in the bottom of the 7th.
Poor Gavin Floyd. I saw his last start against the Cubs on Sunday night in which he did not give up a hit until the 7th. However, Ted Lilly carried a no-hitter into the 9th and won 1-0. Tonight, Floyd gave up only one run over eight innings. So Floyd has pitched brilliantly in his last two starts and has a los and a no decision to show for it. Floyd is much better than his 2-7 record would indicate.
President Obama was in attendance at tonight's game. He is, of course, a White Sox fan. Not that he can name any players on the team. Yet I found it interesting that Obama's presence was not noted by Nationals broadcasters Bob Carpenter and Rob Dibble.
But then again the game should be about who is on the field not who is in the stands.
However, Strasburg would not be involved in the decision as the Nationals would lose 2-1 in 11 innings.
Strasburg ran into first inning trouble when Juan Pierre legged out an infield hit and Omar Vizquel hit a bloop double to get Pierre to third. Pierre would score on a groundout by Alex Rios.
The Nationals scored their only run on a double by Adam Dunn in the bottom of the 7th.
Poor Gavin Floyd. I saw his last start against the Cubs on Sunday night in which he did not give up a hit until the 7th. However, Ted Lilly carried a no-hitter into the 9th and won 1-0. Tonight, Floyd gave up only one run over eight innings. So Floyd has pitched brilliantly in his last two starts and has a los and a no decision to show for it. Floyd is much better than his 2-7 record would indicate.
President Obama was in attendance at tonight's game. He is, of course, a White Sox fan. Not that he can name any players on the team. Yet I found it interesting that Obama's presence was not noted by Nationals broadcasters Bob Carpenter and Rob Dibble.
But then again the game should be about who is on the field not who is in the stands.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
