Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thanksgiving is the most American of holidays. I mean, what other holiday has the food, the booze, and the sports like this one? The excessive eating is funny because in a lot of places, they don't have food. In other places, their food sources are limited. Name a country that has a sports day like this? What's impressive is that it's one sport that carries us through the day. The culmination of food, booze, and sports are just unmatched by any other holiday.

We go all out to honor the coming together of the Native Americans (notice I didn't use Indians, that's offensive to us Indians) and the Pilgrims. Or do we? Do we even think of these things? Perhaps not. Perhaps we think of what we're thankful for. Perhaps that's enough, but perhaps we should be thankful for the Native Americans and Pilgrims; we wouldn't have Thanksgiving without them.

Happy Veteran's Day

I knew we just passed the anniversary of the founding of the Marines, but I was unsure we were close to Veteran's Day. I really don't study the calendar as much as I used to, considering we don't get holidays like this off in college. Lately, I've been seeing more of these poppies, for lack of a better word, popping up. I knew they had some symbolic meaning for the Brits, as I'd seen football managers and commentators wear them. I did not know they were worn in the US too, particularly because I've never seen anyone wear them. It got me curious as to how this tradition or meaning was initiated.

I did a little searching (Google Search) and I found this blog entry:

The red poppy is a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day which began with a poem “In Flanders Field” written by Canadian Physician John McCrae. The poppy emblem was chosen because they were the flower that loomed in their red colour across some of the bloodiest battlefields of Flanders in World War One, making the poppy’s colour symbolic for the bloodshed and despair of trench warfare.

That's really powerful. Well, the poppy seems like a very powerful flower. It's bright and distinctly shaped. It probably has the right colors to symbolized the blood and darkness of war as well. It's just so fitting.

Regardless, this day isn't about poppies or me, it's about our troops, our veterans, and our fallen fathers. It's about the people who fought for our freedom, to help make this country the most powerful nation in the World, politically, socially, and economically.

To all the Armed Forces, thank you.

State is Out Of Control

These are the kind of things that lead me to dislike State:

"Zero tolerance does not mean automatic dismissal," the coach said. "To some critics, it might be seen as a low-percentage call or the wrong decision," Dantonio said. "It is neither. To me, our coaches, and our entire team -- the men in the arena -- it was the right call for the right reasons."

I'm not from Michigan, so I don't have the same strong hatred for Sparty that most of my friends seem to have. However, things like this really piss me off. How do you let your students get away with this? You're an institution of higher learning and this is the kind of example you set? If you're a talented athlete and you make horrible mistakes like getting a DUI, assault, or even rape, you will be absolved of your sins.

What kind of example is that? You should be trying to develop quality human beings. This is why you have ex-Spartans getting drug problems (Charles Rogers) and shooting themselves in nightclubs (Plaxico Burress). See Sparty, I'm not denigrating your school for its poor academic reputation and your status as little brother, I'm ripping you for the poor standards you set for your students. How many chances can you give a player without giving him a slap on the wrist? These kids will never learn anything.

I guess when you have your first chance at a national championship in God knows how long, you're willing to turn East Lansing into a State Penitentiary. Dantonio can take that zero tolerance and shove it up his ass. May be he'll understand zero tolerance then. That's where his head is.

Only In Florida

This is sickening:

A 22-year-old mother from Jacksonville, Florida, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for shaking her 3-month-old son to death after his crying interrupted her FarmVille game.

For a fucking farmville game? Are you fucking kidding me? These are hte type of people I was talking about when I said we need to get rid of this welfare society. We can't afford to keep idiots like this in our gene pool. C'mon America! Get the fuck with it. This is just fucking disgraceful. A fucking kid died because of this dumb bitch.

O'Reilly Owns The View

My favorite part is when Elizabeth tries to get in a word and Sky Jones is like "no no."

Does Modern Warfare...

...make you feel like a Vietnam veteran? Now stay with me for a second here. You know how Vietnam veterans have all these nasty flashbacks. I feel like over the last couple days, I've been having these types of flashbacks too. As some of you know, I've been completely immersed in playing Modern Warfare, something I've decided to quit. In this time, it's been difficult to sleep because whenever I close my eyes, I feel like I'm in the game. I feel like I'm hiding behind a wall waiting for my opponent to come out so I can snipe him. BOOM HEADSHOT! I've gotten knived so many times, it's a broken record. It's pretty scary. I don't know how to get over this.

Not Cool Yo

This was part of a stunt for San Francisco's Fleet Week, but to me, it's a really scary reminder of events that happened on September 11th. I don't care that it was part of a show. For something like this to happen in real life is extremely frightening and conjures up bad memories to many. This brings up the what if it really was another attack idea. It differs from the recent episode of South Park in this way.

Think About This

Just click the picture. Thanks to Harry for this one.

Brutus Goes Down II

Kid must be a future Michigan recruit.

The New Dream Team

Mourinho wants Zidane to coach at Real Madrid with him:

'I would like to have him more with me and less with the president,' Mourinho, who joined Real during the close season, told French TV.

'I don't think he wants to become a coach but I would still like to have him with me,' said Mourinho.

Putting the best manager at the moment along with one of the greatest players to walk on the pitch, THAT would be something.

Paul Bunyan Is Getting Homesick

Bye Bye Red Sox

I just wanted to say that I am taking a hiatus from supporting the Red Sox. Their owners are buying Liverpool. I can no longer be affiliated with a team owned by those people. When they sell Liverpool or they sell the Red Sox, I will support the Red Sox again.

What To Watch This Season

New TV Shows are debuting and I see a lot of people making mistakes with their television watching. I'm just gonna tell it how it is.

What to watch:
Dexter-If you are going to watch one show this fall, it should be Dexter. In its fifth season, the series has become the cornerstone of television drama. Along with Breaking Bad, this is probably my favorite show.

Eastbound and Down-A hilarious show about a former pitcher who is now washed up, Eastbound and Down is entering its second season. This series oozes glory. Watch it.

Boardwalk Empire-This show airs opposite Dexter, but its a worth competitor. After two episodes, I can only say that I'm enthralled by where this show could go. Starring Steve Buscemi, the show is about prohibition era Atlantic City. There hasn't been a show as good as this on organized crime since The Sopranos and The Wire.

Community-Probably the best comedy on tv right now, this show centers around a eccentric group of students at a Colorado Community College. This show is sharp and witty and worth every second of viewing. It's only entering its second season, so you have a whole season of glory to catch up on.

Modern Family-Also entering its second season, Modern Family has been a hit. The first season helped the show gain many accolades and that should continue in the second season. While I think Community is a better network TV show, Modern Family is right up there with it.

What not to watch:
Mad Men-I only list this show because nothing happens in the show. It's good for a season and the 50s style is quite cool, but other than that, I don't think it's a very interesting show. Nothing happens. It's not worth the time.

30 Rock-Tina Fey just isn't funny. At some point, you have to get sick of Alec Baldwin carrying the show.

The Office-Is anyone still watching this show? Seriously?

The one show I'm iffy on watching is It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. For seasons, this show has been brilliant. However the start of the season has been kind of weak. Certainly, it's had its moments, but it hasn't reached the peak of hilarity or the expectations its set for itself in the past.

Does Anyone Else Think...

...That Bill Simmons is a closet gay? Not that there is anything wrong with that...

Ahmadinejad Speaks Out

Not much to say about this despicable man:

“In identifying those responsible behind the Sept. 11 attacks, there were three viewpoints,” he said. “First, that a very powerful and complex terrorist group able to successfully cross all layers of the American intelligence and security carried out the attack. This is the prevalent viewpoint which has been supported mainly and advocated by American statesmen.

“Second: that some segments within the U.S. government orchestrated the attack to reverse the declining American economy and its grips on the Middle East in order to save the Zionist regime. The majority of the American people, as well as most nations and politicians around the world agree with this view.

“Third: it was carried out by a terrorist group but that the American government supported and took advantage of the situation. Apparently, this viewpoint has fewer proponents.”

He's an asshole.