Yes Mr. Bush, we're talking about you...

I thought this photo to be apropos politically to the discussion at hand concerning recent comments by Senator John F. Kerry. Kerry’s comments, “You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t you get stuck in Iraq.” Indeed, the same guys (President Bush & Company) who Mr. Kerry was referring to in this speech (for those of you who missed the whole speech, Mr. Kerry took numerous shots at President Bush living in a "state of denial" before he made the get "an education" line) demonstrated that Senator Kerry was right, they do live in a "state of denial". Not only is the President clueless that Iraq is a at best a conundrum and at worst a massive failure, but he also is in denial that Senator Kerry was referring to his Administration’s diaphanous invasion of Iraq and deflected Mr. Kerry’s comments to the troops. Now the President, his Administration and those Republican members of Congress up for re-election, are thinking the same thing the guy in the picture is thinking, “Oh Sh_Crap, I am so screwed! They all know it was me that royally “screwed” things up here”. (Special thanks to T-Rokh for the picture)

If you didn't get the joke, it is probably about you!
The president called Kerry's remarks "insulting and shameful" and demanded Mr. Kerry apologize to the troops. Tony Snow (never served in the military) followed suit with [Mr. Kerry's remarks] "sort of fits a pattern of criticizing American troops in Iraq." (Bushido interjection: What pattern is Mr. Snow referring to? Oh the one, he just made up in his head.) Representative Jack Kingston (never served in the military) passed around a letter that he and 18-other members of Congress (that never served in the military) signed, demanding an apology from Senator Kerry. Senator John McCain (USN-Ret) was asked (out of context) what he thought about Kerry's remarks and he responded in kind regarding the call to duty as patriotism and not because of a lack of education. But in defense of Mr. McCain, he didn't know Kerry's words were “cherry-picked” from the "Bush bashing" that had taken place. None of the aforementioned members of BushCo picked up on that Kerry was indeed referring to them with his comments, and their reaction set the stage for Kerry to roll up his sleeves and fight back.

It reminds me of my favorite rock song from the 80's!
Not only did BushCo fall into a delicious trap equivalent of having some cute girl talk to you in the hallway in high school only to have a guy from the football team sneak up behind you and give you a wedge-making you look stupid as everyone sees your tighty-whitey with the word” Dubya” Sharpied on the band, so you don't get them confused with Jeb's drawers-but Kerry also has Republicans talking about the one thing they don't want to address 7-days out from election day. I'll give you a hint; it rhymes with "I-Rock". You see folks, even if you believe Kerry’s remarks were towards the troops or a “botched joke” the thing is, Kerry isn’t running for office in this election, meaning Democratic candidates can ignore and distance themselves from Kerry, but for Republicans (mainly the Administration) Iraq is back front and center. That’s when voters begin remembering the Iraq they see everyday-American soldier casualties break 100 for last month, Iraqi civilian deaths up, budget for the Iraqi War is hemorrhaging money, yet the troops still don’t have proper armor for their Humvees to protect them from road-side bombs. Bush gets rid of Habeas Corpus, which further puts our troops in danger! And even fiscal-Conservatives can’t help but create distance between them and the $386.5 BILLION price-tag on the War in Iraq (that was supposed to pay for itself).

Speaking of rocking, Kerry responded with his own brand of "We're not going to take it" as the microphone was handed to him to finally make the Bushido proud. Numerous times during the last presidential campaign, I kept begging Mr. Kerry to respond to all of those "swift-boat" bums, by saying, "Hey, I was there. I served my country; I fought and killed the enemy. I wasn’t busy staying at home, guarding the Rio Grande from the possible (V.C.) attack of our flank (snowball’s chance that would have ever happened) like President Bush, who’s only kills during Vietnam happened to be polished off Pabst Blue Ribbons ." But he never did. Mr. Kerry, let me clue you in on “attack ads” in American politics, they work! Sure they might turn off the well-informed voter, but those aren’t the people “attack ads” are geared towards. If you don’t agree with me, think hard about why you don’t live on Pennsylvania Avenue.

This brings us back to education.
A few concerned members of the community have established a blog to help promote education in Charleston! They even aptly named the blog, Smarter Charleston. One of the smartest guys that I know and FOB, George Morrison is one of the Charlestonians writing for Smarter Charleston. They just started the blog, so please be patient as they learn the ropes, but I have to say, they seem to be off to a good start and with George on-board I already have high expectations for this group. The Bushido wishes you luck! (I’ll have you all a link in the “blog-roll” later this week.)

Things are looking up in Ann Arbor and in Chapel Hill!, Bunting gets his walking papers!

Good news for Wolverine fans, the computers finally give post them in the number 2 slot for the BCS rankings and after two-heart attacks and two open-heart, quadruple-by-pass surgeries, former Michigan coach (10th on the all-time Division 1-A wins list) Bo Schembechler successfully had a heart-regulating device inserted in his chest today. His recovery prognosis looks good enough for him to watch Michigan play Clemson or some other sure fire win! Oh for Pete’s sake, I just pitted two of my most unfavorable teams against one another.

It is about damn time!
For a while it seemed that UNC-Chapel Hill head football coach John Bunting had nine-lives, but last night, the AD, Dick Baddour fired Coach Bunting, but gave JB 5 more games to clean out his locker. Coach Bunting’s record at Carolina is 25-42, which means at the end of the 5-game “finish what we never began” stretch, Bunting’s record will be 25-47 at Carolina. Bunting told reporters that he is slow to decide on whether or not he wants to get back to coaching-I don’t know John, can you survive off of $286,200 per yr through the 2009 season? Work or don’t work, you get paid anyway, but I will offer you one bit of advice, I don’t recommend coaching a pee-wee league team in Philly. Although, they have a reputation of brotherly love in Philly, it appears that Wayne Derkotch (40) doesn’t want to have to tell his 7-year old son’s coach twice that his boy needs more playing time. Btw, who the hell brings a gun to their 6 or 7-year old son’s pee-wee football game?

Picture of unapologetic Wolverine fanatic, Dave Dickey, courtesy of JET)

Directions for ESPN's College Game Day staff as they head to Clemson this weekend!

In case you missed the Paw'in faithful cheering for their recent recognition, ESPN's College Game Day staff will be transmitting from Clem(p)son this Saturday as the 13th ranked Georgia Tech Yellowjackets take on the 12th ranked Clem(p)son Tigers @ 7:45 pm. (see directions compliments of Duane @ Palmetto Sports).

This looks to be an interesting game as the Tigers are 2nd in the ACC in defense allowing only 69.7 yards per game and Tech is 3rd allowing only 72.5 yards per game. Tech's linebacker KaMichael Hall had a career record 11 tackles against Maryland last week and will more than likely give Baby Bowden fits.

On offense, Clem(p)son leads the league with 1,754 total yards on the season and an average of 250.6 yards/g. The Tiger's paw, James Davis, scratched his way to 138 yards and 3 TDs in the blowout game against Temple (count that as 17 straight losses for the Owls). Tech is just as dangerous on offense as the Tigers as Tashard Choice put 138 yards (502 yards this season) and 1-rushing TD against Maryland last week. The 2nd leading rusher is QB Reggie Ball with 315-yards for the season.

The Bushido should have great game highlights for you Saturday night, that is, as long as special correspondents Bradford and Jake stay sober. Yeah, scratch that, I'll keep you up to date from College Game Day's replay.

Jay-Z - Show Me What You Got

Not that Jay-Z ever really retired, but he is back! This video also doubles as the new Budweiser Select commercial, with Danica Patrick (driving the Mc Lauren)and Little E (Jay-Z's chauffeur)racing the roads outside of Monaco, with Beyonce and pals seaside, you just know that it is going to be a hit video!

The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living, Magnet & Gemma Hayes - Lay Lady Lay

Last Thursday, Blackie and I joined the CSOL Karoke Team @ the Island Grill. I'll just say, if the law school gig doesn't workout a few of those players have a future as the next American Idol. A special thanks to Travis for the pre-game burgers and to Corbett for introducing the Bushido to a "Summer" to remember. Btw George, "Lay Lady Lay" was in the movie, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Wednesday's WTF? Kentucky Waterfalls keep on flowing

Call it what you will, the Mullett, Kentucky Waterfalls-business up front, party in the rear, but WTF is with this guy's hair-do, err, hair-don't? I know, we all had achey, breaky hearts back in the 80's and early 90's (courtesy of Billy Ray Cyrus) but my time-check knob over at El Cid informs me that it is 2006!

Granted I was in JAX, listening to a heavy metal band at the Mercury Moon, but Get with the program buddy. WTF?

(Photo was taken with my Sony/Ericsson W300i, I didn't get a close up because I thought the guy might kick my Liberal a**!)

Miami Hurricanes v FIU Brawl

Miami Hurricans Vs FIU Brawl

I disagree with Miami University's president in regards to throwing her players under the bus. I say let's see tire tracks on the backs of their jerseys. Playing collegiate sports is a privledge, not a right. If the Gamecocks and Clemson gave up their bowl eligibility because of "thug-like" behavior from their players in a brawl, then Miami and FIU should follow suit.

Till the Campbells Come Home!

Congratulations to Mark and Leslie Campbell for the purchase of their new home in JAX. Seriously, you two newlyweds have fun moving the rest of your boxes from the garage into your house; Bobo and I were there for the 12-hour move down the 3-friggin flights of stairs and the heavy stuff into the casa d' Campbell, but the rest is all yours! Note to self: next time a friend asks if I can help them move, see what floor they live on first.

the darkness - i believe in a thing called love

From the Bushido's JAX Bureau, two things the Bushido loves, Dallas Campbell and 80's Rock, that's why we are down here to help move him and his lovely wife-what's her face. Just kidding, Lovely Leslie-here is one of Mark's fav's. Stay tuned, we have a video from the move in later with a little "Ram-Jam" rendition.

Paris Hilton - Stars Are Blind

If Paris and Nicole Richie can kiss up and be friends then there is hope for us all!

White Stripes

Kate Moss, gorgeous...She has always held a special space in the Bushido's heart!

Ernie Harwell, the Detroit Tigers and Reflections on America's Past Time

In political history, President Ronald "Jelly Bean" Reagan is remembered as the "Great Communicator" because of his ability to speak to America. What many people don't know is that Reagan earned his "stripes" calling baseball and football games in his home state of Illinois. Baseball was America's Past Time because in the first 60-years of the 20th Century many Americans did not own a television set, instead they caught their games and "shows" from their radio sets. Americans collected baseball cards because they wanted to see what their favorite player looked liked so they could picture the great Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson or Mickey Mantle standing at the plate while the announcer called the game. To say that isn't magical is ridiculous and that my friends is why the game of baseball is a magical sport and continues to be America's Past Time.

Friday night during the Tigers and Yankees game, former announcer and Hall of Famer Ernie Harwell called a couple of innings for the Tigers (and ESPN). Harwell began his career in Baltimore and then was traded to Detroit for a catcher. Ernie is perhaps the only announcer that cost a team a player to get an announcer to move towns, but it paid off for Detroit as Mr. Harwell called games for the Tigers for 42 years. Although Ernie has been out of the game for a few years, he hasn't missed a step because as a baseball fan he continues to keep up with his team and the league. Hall of Famer Joe Morgan told Ernie he didn't have to keep his own scorebook because they have computers to do that now. Ernie just laughed it off and said he'd kept it for so long that it is the only way he knows.

Ernie Harwell's soothing voice and encyclopdic knowledge of both the stats and history of the game produced one of the Bushido's most memorable baseball moments. Craig Blackmon and I were watching the game together and Craig cut the tv off and we just listened to Ernie call the game over our sound system. It is truly amazing how one can view the play in your mind better than watching the game on high-def when someone with the skills of a great communicator is calling the play-by-play action. (Harwell has not only called baseball, but the Master's Golf Tournament and even bowling). I couldn't help but transcend back to sitting next to my Great Aunt Anna and listen to the Reds game being called on her Westinghouse radio which I still have and it still works.

And then it hit me, Detroit has not had a winning season since 1984, but Tiger fans like those filling CoAmerica Park and Mr. Harwell keep the faith, they continue to watch and they continue to cheer. Despite big league and outlandish paychecks, high-def television and over a 100 channels of competition, America still loves our baseball. Baseball is a reflection of ourselves and our lives: the season is long, you don't always win, and you might not always have the best talent, but if you keep the faith and keep busting your tail, one day you will bask in your accomplishments. Just like our teams, we all have feelings of being cursed or being lucky, but if baseball can teach us one thing, it is that success is best measured over a long duration. Think about it; if you hit 4 out of every 10 pitches you are a superstar by baseball standards. If you win 60 out of 150 games you are a winner at the top of your division. Sometimes the measuring stick we use to judge ourselves is too harsh and self-defeating. We should take every day as a new opportunity at bat. Sure our contemporaries might be more talented, smarter or stronger, but with hard work and determination even a JV pitcher can daunt the best in the business finding success where many doubted such possibility.

When Tiger’s pitcher, the veteran, Kenny Rogers fanned Yankee slugger Jason Giambi at the plate sending the old boy back to the dugout, Harwell gave one of his patented calls, "STRIKE three! He stood there like the house by the side of the road and watched it go by."

From the Press Box: It is easy for us to hit auto-pilot and let computers do our math, keep our phone numbers and maintain the stats for our day to day lives, but there is also something to be said about doing things for yourself. If the 88-year old Mr. Harwell has taught me one thing, that is, if you want to keep your mind fresh and sharp, keep your pencil and your eyes sharp, pay attention, be aware, never give up and you just might get more out of not only baseball, but this so called life too.
(Picture of Harwell Bobblehead from E-bay, available at the following link)

Special Message From Kim Jong Il

OH, I SO SOWREE. OH HANS BRIX, HANS BRIX, DID YOU NOT SEE MY POWERLFUL WOCKETS WHEN YOU WERE HEWERE? OF COURSE ALL AMEWICANS SHOULD FEELS SAFE BECAUSE WEPUBLICANS ARWE KEEPING ALL AMERWICANS SAFE AT NIGHT! SINCEREWELEE, KJI

Happy Columbus Day!

Just a couple of things to remember about celebrating Columbus Day:

1. 1. Christopher Columbus was Italian, not Spanish. (Born in Geneoa, Italy, Columbus' expedition was sponsored by Queen Isabella and Kind Ferdinand II of Spain)
2. 2. Chris was searching for a new trade route to the Indies, not trying to prove that the world was flat-everyone already knew that the world was round by 1492.
3. 3. Amerigo (the Americas are named after this lad) Vespucci was a cartographer, not an explorer, but he did say the Americas were a full continent. Chris called Bull-Sh_crap until his dying day claiming the land for Spain as the West Indies.
4. 4. Columbus was the first European since the Viking Leif Ericsson (no relation to Sony Ericcson) to travel to the new world. *Special note: Columbus was the first European to spend spring-break in the Bahamas!
5. When Chris Columbus landed in Hispaniola (modern day Dominican Republic and Haiti) the Tainos people welcomed him as an early Christmas present, but when he returned to establish the first Spanish settlement in the New World, he put their asses to work, and the toll of slavery and European diseases dwindled the Tainos' peoples numbers down from an estimated 1 million people to a little more than 500 people within 40 years! ** Special Note: Seeing the Tainos' drop like flies the Spaniards opted to a hardy worker, instituting captive slaves from Africa as early as 1503, bartered by "Ramos the Jew" (kind of a lackluster surname, but that what history has left us).
6. Columbus captained the flagship of his fleet, the Santa Maria, brothers Vicente Yanez Pinzon (Nina) and Martin a Lonzo Pinzon (Pinta) captained the other two vessels.
7. In 1865, Catholics wanted their own response to the Masons, established a fraternal-organization/secret-society with Chris' namesake called the Knights of Columbus. Thus, bypassing the differences between the Italian and Irish Catholics in the United States as well as sticking it to the Protestant establishment by laying claim to the Italian Catholic guy who started it all!
8. The Knights of Columbus are established on every continent except Antartica. The Grand Knight, aka, the Grand Pooh-bah, wears a golden anchor to show hommage to old C-Squared. Former President John F. Kennedy, Baseball legend George "the Babe" Ruth, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi and Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito are all past or current members of the K of C.

Republican Scandal...Blame The Democrats!

And here we go round the mullberry bush...Republicans are in the corner and when their backs are against the wall they blame liberals. First, to Tony Snow White House Press Sec. this is more than a few e-mails sent by Republican Mark Foley-this is a violation of the Federal Internet Sexual Predator Law (that Foley wrote) not a BJ from a 22-year old intern named Monica! The Bushido loves how the Right has made Monica a teenager when she was 22!
Secondly, going back 23-years to Gerry Studds and his "boy-toy", well ironically, it is not illegal in the District of Columbia to have sex with someone 16 and up, it is called the age of consent! Had Republican Congressman Mark Foley had sex with one of the 16-year old boys that he solicited for sex, it would have not been something I would want to hear over breakfast, but it wouldn't be illegal, but soliciting a minor (anyone under the age of 18-as defined by the internet sexual predator law-is ILLEGAL!

Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancing

Since Republican Mark Foley's departure from Congress-due to IM'ing and texting underage boy pages on the Hill, thus violating the Internet Predator law he introduced as Chairman of the House Committee for Missing and Exploited Children-I doubt he feels like dancing, but I sure the hell do! Here you go Republican Mark Foley, something just as gay (but artistic and law-abiding) as you! Byaaahhhh!

Borat learns etiquette

Here is the video of Borat's trip to Charleston, South Carolina

Denial Ain't Just a River in Egypt!

FOX News Makes Foley A Democrat

Congressman Mark Foley is not a Democrat! He is a 6-term Republican for the 16th District in Florida!

Olbermann Breaks It Down Once Again!

Olbermann 9-25-06

Words that the Bushido has preached for 5-years now! Clinton tried, Propaganda won out from Rove, and Bush had enough sympathy to cover up his f_ups and milk it for all that it was worth. But I'll let Keith Break it down for you-from Crooks and Liars!

Thank You For Smoking japanese trailer

The Bushido missed this flick in the theatre, but Law Girl Linds invited the Bushido over for a screening of this video last Friday (shhh, it comes out next Tuesday)don't worry she has a legal loophole into pre-screening videos. This movie is brilliant. If you want politics and business cooked and served on a plate, order it at Don Shula's steak house. If you want a raw look at politics and business interacting via a intellectual and entertaining medium, rent, no buy "Thank You For Smoking" on Tuesday. One caveat, Tommy felt there was too much "days of thunder" in the bedroom sequence and had it removed for the sanctity of Mrs. Cruise-BOOOOO!!!!

Borat - Movie Trailer

Comedian Sasha Cohen went to the White House yesterday to hold a press conference and to invite Premier Bush to a screening of his new movie, "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for make benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" video of trailer is provided. I don't have the clip yet from yesterday, but if you caught it, then you probably LYAO. Althought the Ministry back home in Kazakhstan does not find humor in Mr. Cohen's portrayal of a Kazakhstanie man, the Bushido does. Full disclosure: the leaders of Kazakhstan do probably have something to be pissed about, but hey, at least they appreciate the meaning of the words, "Habeas Corpus"

Big Papi's Birthday!

Today is the Bushido family Shogun, or as my niece and nephews refer to him, Big Papi’s Birthday! Unfortunately, I haven’t chatted with him (via e-mail or phone) yet because he is currently on vacation in Florida with the grand-babies and my Brothers-in-(arms) law! Hooyah! Hooyah! There Hooyah!

Reciprocity: I am trying to snag tickets for the game in Rupp Arena to see my Cougars take on Dan’s Wildcats in November. I am going to need a family count of who is on the list to go or if it is doable since it is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.