Family Guy 604-from the Bushido's Kentucky Bureau

Since I am here in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, I thought that I'd give a shout out to our soldiers in the U.S. Army, compliments of Family Guy!

The Black Keys' "Your Touch"

I haven't picked up Black Keys' (new album) Magic Potion, but here is their video "Your Touch". I am using the video from the guys (Dan Auerbach-gtr/vox and Patrick Carney-drums) from Akron, Ohio to help celebrate the Ohio State Buckeyes victory over Michigan and their chance for the National Championship. Go Bucks!

USC Trojan Cheerleaders-Keep 'em blonde!

USC Cheerleaders (The Song Girls): CSTV

There's two USC teams that I'd like to see win today: the Gamecocks of South Carolina and the Trojans of Southern Cal. I know what you are thinking, why is the Bushido pulling for USC over Notre Dame? I have two reasons: 1) I want to see either Arkansas or USC play Ohio State and 2) see video. Keep em blonde!

Scissor Sisters - Take your Mama Out

Not much blogging here at the Bushido since I am on holiday, but I did want to give you all a dose of the Scissor Sisters and say, haaaeeeyyyy to the efforts being made for Gay Rights in New Jersey and Arizona!

Go Gamecocks!

South Carolina Gamecocks 2001 Entrance

"Thus Spake Zarathusa", or commonly known as "2001: Space Odessey". Go Gamecocks!

Go Gamecocks!

Clemson/University of South Carolina Brawl 2004

Coach Spurrier is downplaying the rivalry between Clemson and our beloved Gamecocks, but make no doubt that the other team still fears the Gamecocks. The last time USC went to Clemson Memorial the attached fight broke out; the Cocks lost 29-7, Holtz retired and the Visor took over. Although the Cocks lost with Spurrier at the helm last year, you should expect a win from Spurrier and the GameChickens this year, which will put this rivalry right back in prime position on Spurrier's list of teams USC has to beat on their schedule. Go Cocks!

Happy Birthday to Pit-Stop

I'd like to thank Carol Anne for putting everything together this past weekend for Pit-Stop's birthday party. The Buckeyes won, Pit-Stop was surprised and we all had some fun. Props to Dusty for picking up on the redundancy of the Bushido Way (translates to "Way of the Warrior Way") but hey, I am Americanizing the saying just as most Americans mispronounce Hiroshima. Besides, I think it just plain sounds better.

I have a few more party pictures to put up, but this is from the Sony-Eric-W300i the last time Chad and Carol Anne were in town.

Magnum p.i. pilot opening

Happy Birthday to Chad McGowan!

Somewhere over the rainbow

What do you find at the end of a rainbow in Michigan? (See photo for answer)

Reese Witherspoon is back on the market

Reese, darling, the Bushido is a big fan and I thought since you are single and I am single, maybe, just maybe, you'd like to come hang out in Charleston. No pressure, just dinner maybe a little dancing.
(Photo of Reese Witherspoon from Legally Blonde, compliments of T-Rav)

3 Days and a wake-up before the biggest rivalry in College Football!

I took a sick-day today because I caught the bug going around. I am feeling better and will be back at work (@ the law firm-Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, LLC) tomorrow. I couldn't let you down and miss another shot at Michigan, so here you go. WILSON!!!

Muck Fichigan! Messages Home from Iraq!

4-days and a wake-up until The Ohio State vs. Michigan game!










Honestly, I think things are turning around in Iraq!

Rutgers is ranked in the top 10!

If Kristin Davis (Rutgers Alum) is fishing for compliments, I'll bite-girl the Bushido digs your style and you and your alma mater are both in the Bushido's top 5!

Rutgers Rankings:

• AP Poll ranks Rutgers #7
• BCS Poll ranks Rutgers #6
• CBS Sportsline 119 Poll ranks Rutgers #5
• Coaches Poll ranks Rutgers #8

And so it begins...

Countdown until #1 The Ohio State Buckeyes host the 2nd ranked Michigan Wolverines is 5-days. I thought we start a new tradition here at the Bushido and give those Wolverines their just desserts. Class has started Michigan, prepare to be schooled on Saturday!

(Photo compliments of Rival Fanatics)

CofC volleyball team plays for their 3rd straight SoCon Tournament Title

The CofC volleyball team will play for their 3rd straight SoCon Tournament Title this weekend @ App. State (Boone, N.C.). The Cougs are 23-7, 17-1 in the SoCon and are the #1-seed for this weekend's tournament; they will play the Ga. Southern v Western Carolina winner on the 17th @ 12:30 pm. (Photo compliments of CofC Sports.com) After the SoCon Tournament the Cougs will have their final regular season game against South Carolina on the 22nd of November @ 5 pm.

Make no doubt about it, the Cougars are formidable. Although the Bushido didn't get an autographed poster this year, I've been pulling for them all year. The Cougs beat UNC-Chapel Hill (3-1) in September and they won a big game in their season opener against San Diego State. Highlight: Senior Libero Marie Dobrenz was named SoCon Player of the Week for a second time this week.

The Cougars have one lost in the SoCon (Elon) and their other out of conference losses came from big programs: Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Cal-State Fullerton, Coastal Carolina, Iowa and Wichita State (Shockers).

So Con Basketball

The CofC Cougars man-handled the Ga State Panthers (72-66) on the road, but we weren't the only ones to bring home a win in our first game.

Here are the current standings of the SoCon South Division:

1. Furman (2-0) defeated Charleston Southern 88-69 and Erskine 67-55
2. CofC (1-0) won on the road by six just a few miles from the "Thrillerdome". George Street has all of the talent and the magic of Coach Cremins, but can we deflate our egos in time to earn nationally ranking? Hey Coach, take a page out of Greg Schiano's book and just let the guys humbly chop wood, one-game-at-a-time.
3. Davidson (2-1) the Wildcats beat Central Connecticut State 91-64 and they beat Eastern Michigan on the road, 81 to 77 to get their first notch on the proverbial victory belt. Davidson may not be favored, but they always put a crafty and tough group on the hardwood, which is seen in their only loss to the Michigan Wolverines by 10 (68-78)
4. Georgia Southern (1-1) the Eagles put up triple digits in their win against UC-Davis (116-73) and lost to Duke by 24 (72-48).
5. Citadel (1-2) Our cross-town rivals the Citadel defeated Ohio Valley 79 to 58 for their home-opener Friday night to begin Ed Conroy's tenure and to kick off their Homecoming Weekend. The Bulldogs then lost (respectively) on the road to Michigan State (73-41) and Iowa (75-53).
6. Wofford (0-1) Woof! Woof!
   
   
   

U.S. Marine Corps Birthday!

The Marine Corps Birthday U.S. Marines Silent Platoon

Leathernecks and the Tun Tavern
231 years ago to this date, the 2nd Continental Congress was looking for “a few good men” to keep their small fleet of ships safe from the British. So with great insight, our “Founding Fathers” passed a resolution creating the United States Marine Corps and appointed Samual Nicholas as the first Commandant of the two newly formed battalions of Continental Marines. Nicholas commissioned his friend and proprietor of Peggy Mullan’s Red Hot Beef Steak Club at Tun Tavern, Robert Mullan, to be the first Marine Corps recruiter, Mullan immediately set up shop at the Tun Tavern, (Philadelphia, PA) hence the birthplace of the Marines. If you get a chance, check out the video GoDaddy.com put together by clicking here. From low-maintenance haircuts, to the coolest uniforms in the world, here are 219 reasons to love your Corps, by Chris Lawson from the Marine Corps Times.

Party on Wayne
146 years later, the 13th Commandant of the USMC, Major General John LeJeune issued Marine Corps Order no. 47, Series 1921 to establish the celebration of the Marines Corps Birthday. Of course, the Marine Corps Birthday Ball is quite reflective of the discipline, traditions and polish of the Marines (as Jenna Jameson recently learned) but the Birthday Ball is more than just pomp and circumstance. The tradition of the Birthday Ball is as important for strengthening the bonds of the Corps as Thanksgiving is for civilian families.

This is not the first time she’s been black-balled
Taking into consideration the traditions, standards and elitism of the United States Marine Corps and in extension, the Marine Corps Ball, the reasons for the USMC Miramar base’s “Brass” requesting their guest speaker, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter, Tito Ortiz to leave his girlfriend Jenna Jameson at home. Indeed, Ortiz has a big fan base with Marines and was honored to speak, but he too has to stay Semper Fidelis at home so he respectfully with drew his acceptance to speak. Then again, if Mr. Ortiz needs someone to watch his girlfriend while he gives his speech, Jenna is welcome to hangout with the Bushido and friends here in Charleston.

Not a Marine, here’s how to celebrate in style anyway
Once a Marine, always a Marine, but if you weren’t in the Corps, I suggest watching a few Marines on the big screen. Clint not only made a kick-a** flick Heartbreak Ridge about Recon Marines, but he just released Flags of our Fathers about the raising of Old Glory at Iwo Jima and the effect this event had on our country. If you want a wider selection of movies choose from any movie made by other Former Marines who made it to the big screen: Steve McQueen, Burt Reynolds, Lee Marvin, Charlton Heston, Gene Hackman, and George C. Scott to name a few. If you are not into movies, go to a toy store and stock up on merch to donate to the Marine sponsored Toys for Tots this Christmas.

Happy Birthday to all current and former Marines! Ooh-rah!

6 Through 10 Reasons Why Rutgers Will Beat Louisville!

I couldn't get this all to fit in one post, so here are the 6 through 10 reasons why Rutgers will win tonight!

6) Rutgers' kicker Jeremy Ito has a leg that would make Alexi Lalis ('90) proud: If the game is on the line, put it in Ito's hand.

7) Just as former Scarlet Knight and L.A. Laker Eddie Jordan ('82) knows how to win, so does this Rutgers team: They've won 8-straight and the first college football game against Princeton in 1869.













8) Coach Greg Schiano has a vision of the future for his team: Just as Avery Brooks (1976) has a strong concept of the future and is an excellent decision maker on Deep Space Nine, so is Coach Schiano. (Photo compiments of Answers.com)











9) Coach Schiano runs the football team just as efficiently as David Stern runs the NBA: (Photo compliments of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.)









10) The Scarlet Knights keep on chopping wood: Just as Asia Carrera knows how to handle "wood", the football team keeps hacking away, play by play, one game at a time. Note for clarity: Asia Carrera (Jessica Andrea Steinhauser) did not graduate from Rutgers as she started her career while in college. To my critics, although Carrera is an adult film star, she had an academic scholarship to Rutgers and she is a member of Mensa.

The Bulldgogs Come Home! Homecoming begins on Veteran's Day for the Citadel

Homecoming at El Cid: The Citadel will host a pep-rally/bon-fire on the Washington Light Infantry Field, (for those of you who’ve forgotten your “Knob Knowledge”) WLI Field is the soccer field down by the boat-house. The rally begins @ 5:30 pm or 17:30 for you military-types, with pep-talks from El Cid’s Prez, General Rosa, football Coach Kevin Higgins and basketball Coach Ed Conroy. The “Q’s” (Regimental band and pipes) will perform from Indian Hill and the bon-fire will be ablaze around 7:15 pm. Indeed, the Citadel is starting their Homecoming Weekend a day early, but they are doing so to recognize this country’s Veterans (especially those who served during WWII) on Veteran’s Day. (Click here for parking map)

Ed Conroy begins his tenure at McAlister Field House
Friday night, the Bulldogs open their basketball season against Ohio Valley tip-off is @ 7:05 pm. Ticket prices are $10, but for this very special evening a canned or non-“perishable” food item for donation to the Low Country Food Bank or your ticket for Saturday’s football game against VMI will get you in for free. Citadel graduate and cousin to Ed Conroy (the Citadel’s basketball coach) Pat Conroy, along with teammates from “their losing season” (1966-1967), will be at McAlister Field House to sign Pat’s book My Losing Season. Autographs are free to those with tickets to the basketball game. Granted the Bushido is affiliated (read: graduate) with the Citadel’s cross-town-rivals, I do respect and encourage the exciting changes Coach Conroy is making with the Bulldog program. Obviously, basketball and a flare for creative writing (see Coach Conroy’s blog) are ingrained into the Conroy DNA, but Ed Conroy is doing something revolutionary with the Citadel basketball team-he is involving them with the Corps and he built them a tough schedule. Coach Conroy (as mentioned during his interview on “The Dog-Pound” last night) is reaching across that great-gray divide between the Corps of Cadets and the Corps Squad Athletes by bringing in cadets to practice with the basketball team on Fridays. Will the Citadel be contenders against out of conference teams such as Michigan State, Southern Cal (USC), South Carolina (USC), Notre Dame, and Iowa? Probably not, but their team will become better as they play better teams, making themselves and the SoCon better. By the way, all of those non-conference games are away-games except for the game against the Gamecocks that game will be played at McAlister Field House. (Click here for the Bulldog’s Basketball Schedule)

The Silver Shako
The Bulldogs welcome the VMI Keydets to Johnson-Hagood Stadium on Saturday @ 2pm for a battle between the two military schools for the coveted Silver Shako (a “Napoleonic-cover” or hat worn by both schools in dress parade cast in silver) trophy. Despite getting off to a good start by winning their opener against Davidson, VMI comes to Charleston having dropped eight-straight games. After losing to App. State last week 42-13, the Citadel is 3-6, but fear not Homecoming attendees, the Bulldogs have won their last two home games, beating Western Carolina 30-27 in OT and upsetting Georgia Southern 27-24. After watching the Bulldogs in action, the Bushido predicts that the knobs will have to continue shining the (humidity and salt-water) tarnish off the Silver Shako for another year! Go Bulldogs!

I think the joke goes like this, a Citadel Grad and an Editor from the Post & Courier are in a Spelling Bee, who “WHENS”?

Sorry, I forgot the punch-line, but to keep with the iconoclastic spirit of Mr. Pat Conroy, here is free advice to the Editor’s at the Post and Courier and the Citadel’s Athletic Marketing Department: When advertising an author’s book-signing at the Citadel basketball home opener, you should at least run the wording through the spell-checker.

In case you missed it, the line from the ad reads, “Any canned good or non-parishable food item”. “Parishable” unfortunately is not a word, “Perishable” is-meaning liable to perish, spoil or decay. (Merriam-Webster) All right, since Citadel grads have a reputation as poor spellers anyway, probably no one will catch this spelling error. So, we’ll just share a chuckle over this behind their backs, but W(here)-T-F is the oversight at the Post & Courier? Surely someone there should have caught the error….

Editor’s Note: Btw, if you are offended by this commentary and decide to peruse the Bushido for mistakes in grammar or spelling, I am not going to stop you from having your fun. However, I must point out (not that this excuse has actual merit, but you have to spin it somehow) that I don’t have an actual Editor, paid staff nor am I hosting a living literary legend, who I am sure noticed your mistake.

The Democrats take back both Chambers of Congress!

The AP is calling the close race between Democrat Jim Webb with 1,172,461 votes beating incumbent and son of former Washington Redskins coach, Sen. George Allen. How close was it Bill? Yep, that close, but taking a page from the President's book (it's a pop-up book for you home gamers) Democratic candidates Claire McCaskill (takes back Harry Truman's seat) by announcing her victory before all of the votes were counted and Jim Webb announced his victory last night after his opponent went to bed. And now the balance of power is restored!

Governor Mark Sanford is turned away at the polls because he didn't have his voter's registration card or driver's license...

South Carolina’s Governor Mark Sanford became a disenfranchised voter today, but alas it was due to his own lack of preparation. Governor Sanford went to the polls on Sullivan’s Island today to cast his vote, (Click here to watch the video courtesy of Channel 5, WCSC. Inc) but left his registration card and his driver’s license at the residence (he temporarily) inhabits in Columbia. (Click here for the video on CNN)

I’ll be the first to admit that Governor Sanford did handle this situation with as much grace as one can in this predicament, especially considering his wife (Jenny) was scolding him in the background, but come on Mr. Governor, you are “kind of a big deal around here” and it would have been nice to see you prepared instead of continuing to make the citizens of this State look like idiots.

For those home-gamers keeping score, Mr. Sanford’s opponent, Democrat Tommy Moore came prepared and didn’t have any trouble casting his ballot in Aiken County. We are trying to find away to post the WCSC video to YouTube, to make it easier for you to access it.

Words of advice for Governor Sanford next time bring you driver’s license, voter registration card or simply bring along the blue-blazer from your Gubernatorial Inauguration. I am sure we all remember that you didn’t want to dress up in a suit for that “special” occasion.

(Photo courtesy of Channel 5 News, WCSC.Inc)

Carrie Underwood and Faith Hill last night at the CMA's

Brad called me last night to check out Carrie Underwood on the CMA's, but even better was Faith Hill's reaction when she didn't win.

Borat Da Ali G Show- In the South at Middleton Plantation

I am posting this because I know Electon Day is a stressful day for all of Us and I thought we could use some humor. Also, Mel hasn't seen this video yet, so I thought I'd let him in on the fun. Borat's movie grossed over $100 million this past weekend. I haven't seen it yet, but I'll be in line later this week.

Karen Floyd is bad for Public Schools, Vote Jim Rex!


I am not a teacher; I just play one on television
I guess it should be expected since the S.C. Education Assoc. is backing her opponent (Jim Rex) and considering that Karen Floyd’s background as the owner of a PR/Marketing firm (the Palladian Group) she would not have an actual teacher in her commercial. Not that it really matters to me if the proud teacher of the class in the commercial is Becky Kerr (the office manager/Assistant Controller) of Floyd’s firm, The Palladian Group, but what does bother me is her misleading the general public regarding her political platform.

And now it is time for the break-down
1) Karen Floyd is a “Public-School Mom”: I will give her this attribute, but what candidate Floyd is not telling us is that her children attended private-school until she announced her decision to run for Super-Ed. As Keller over at Smarter Charleston pointed out, Floyd’s children attend “the Pine Street School-a public elementary school with few equals” and she is hardly a champion of public schools. (See: next comment)

2) Floyd wants “more parental involvement”: Meaning she wants Parents to be able to decide where their child attends school by using tuition-tax-credits (e.g. putting public money into private and religious schools with vouchers and tax-credits) for the families which qualify. Meaning, if you are middle-to-low-on the income spectrum get ready to get for a top level dash of abandonment-because if you can’t afford the private-school (even if your child could get in academically) and money is being taken away from the public schools (regardless of the school’s level of success), your child(ren) are getting the worst shake at the academic success in the past 4-years. Fortunately, they had enough support to kill this idea when President Bush and Governor Sanford pushed it a few years ago because it would have costs the state of South Carolina a ½ billion dollars and our school system would have been in shambles.

3) Karen Floyd wants to instill discipline in the classrooms: Candidate Floyd’s band-aide to solve discipline problems in the classroom is to install cameras in every classroom and expel children with video evidence. My first question, how much is this going to cost? Secondly, why not just give teachers authority in the classroom once again? If CIA agents can torture people without legal retribution, why can’t teachers discipline students without legal retribution? What? You think that is an extreme comparison? Well, perhaps that is just left-over thinking from a public-school graduate whose parents gave me twice of whatever I got at school-now that my friends is “parental-involvement”.

Itty-Bitty-Kitty-Pitty-Party for -Poor, Poor Brad

When Brad has this kind of a football week, (see: Redskins win 22-19 over Dallas and Clemson’s loss to Maryland, 13-12) it is time for the Bradford to go "Ostrich-cog-nito". Come on Brad, pull yourself together and at least get out to vote on Tuesday.

Wait, why am I having a pity-party for Brad. He talks just as much smack as I do when my teams lose-so Brad, BYAHHH!!! In your face!

To end on a positive note: Brad has lost 20-lbs since this photo was taken.

(Photo: JET/Bushido Staff 2006)

Jim Rex, Candidate for Superintendent of Education Commercial

Tarheel Triple-Lindy, UNC needs to make a big splash and "Cannonball" Butch Davis might just be the right guy for the job!

ESPN reported yesterday that UNC-Chapel Hill is offering the football team’s head coaching position to Butch Davis. Davis told the Charlotte Observer last month that he was interested in the position and that he is doing his “due diligence” or what I like to call “homework” concerning his possible return to college football. If you recall, after rebuilding the football program at the University of Miami (Fl) with a 51-20 record from 1995-2000, Coach Davis left the ranks of college football to try his hand at the pro-level in Cleveland. The Browns struggled with close losses, injuries, and “growing pains” (plaguing most expansion teams in their infancy) during the 4-seasons Davis was at the helm and he resigned in 2004 leaving behind 5-games left in the season and a 24-36 record in the pros. (Photo: Licensed by the University of North Carolina)

Of course, “failure” in the pros is not something of concern for Coach Davis because as they say, it is a “whole different ballgame” (see Steve Spurrier). Obviously, the Tarheels need to make a big splash with their next head coach, and Butch Davis just might be the right guy at the right time. If other basketball schools (i.e. Wake, Louisville, UCLA and Rutgers) have strong football programs, then deservingly so should the Heels. Butch Davis is a proven success with building competitive programs that have (something very fitting for Chapel Hill) character and class. Of course, he has his critics in Miami because Coach Davis is the only recent coach for the Hurricanes (in the company of Jimmy Johnson, Dennis Erickson and Larry Coker) who didn’t bring home the crystal trophy, but he did do one thing the others were unable to do (or continue), he took a team that had a losing record, stripped of 31 scholarships as a NCAA probationary punishment and had the worst reputation (see: ND fans wearing “Catholics v Convicts” shirts) in college football and turned them into a national contender beginning the 30-straight wins Miami had going into the Fiesta Bowl against The Ohio State Buckeyes in 2002.

UNC’s recruiting class for 2007 is ranked 15th in the nation and key components Mike Paulus (QB recruit from Christian Bros. New York) and Ryan Houston (Butler High School RB-Charlotte, N.C.) are waiting pool-side to see how big of a splash the Tarheels make with their head-coach selection. Hopefully all of the recruits will be aptly pleased with a Butch Davis “TarHeel-Triple-Lindy” because we obviously need a coach that can win, along with a QB who can put the ball into Hakeem Nicks hands and a RB to establish a running game if we are to compete with these other “basketball” schools.

Location, Location, Location

You know watching the West Virginia v Louisville game last night, I couldn't help but think wow, the Big East is back and these two teams know how to score (fast). Also, I couldn't help but notice the location of visitor's band seating in Papa John's stadium. I couldn’t help but notice that the Mountaineers’ band was not really even a factor when it came to crowd noise during the game.

And now, something to consider for the big-Whigs at USC, in comparison to the nose-bleed section the Cardinals place their opponents, the location of the visiting team’s band in Williams-Brice stadium (see photo compliments of JET/Bushido Staff) is within close proximity and facing the goal line in the south-end of the stadium. Blackie and talked about the location of the band and how dag-jimmit tired we were of hearing “Rocky Top” (seriously Vols, for the love of God, add at least one more song to your repertoire) on the ride back to the Holy City after last week’s game between USC and Tennessee. When the game is on the line, or even when it isn’t crowd participation (noise) can make a huge difference on the outcome of the game. I find it hard to believe the Gamecocks benefit from having an opponent’s brass in their face while in the red-zone.

I would love to see Gamecock fans cheer from the opposing team’s band section and move the band to the nose bleeds in Williams-Brice. Please, give the Cocks a chance at home by putting a muffler on their opponent’s drums and horns. I’d love to hear your comments on this, so by all means, please leave them in the apropos section.

The Cocks have Arkansas today, let’s hope they can drown out the noise from those “Hog-Horns” and bring home a win in their 4th straight home game! Go Gamecocks!

CofC makes a "big splash" with Dr. George Benson

Wednesday, I went to the ceremony to welcome the College's new president George Bensen and his wife Jane to the City. I have to admit, even though he wasn't the "legendary Jazz-guitarist" George Bensen, he and is wife Jane charmed both myself and the crowded Alumni Hall (in Randolph Hall) and from what I could gather from the Bushido's contacts on George Street, we've made a big splash bringing Bensen to the College of Charleston. The ceremony had the usual laughs about the serendipitous nature of how we first all “fell in love” with one another and then after President Benson spoke, Greg Padgett (President of the College of Charleston Foundation) passed the welcome basket (filled with two CofC ball-caps, two CofC sweatshirts, probably scented candles, "Sex-Cougar" Cologne and keys to a new car and house) to our new President and First Lady of the College of Charleston.

It takes money to make money
For those CofC students worried their tuition will rise because of the price tag for Dr. Benson to come to Charleston, don't sweat it; you are just a bit misguided on how it all works. The State of South Carolina pays a prescribed amount of the salary and the College's alumni and boosters pick up the rest of the tab. My dear students (and this goes to all South Carolina students) if you are not happy about the hike in tuition, you should speak to Governor Mark Sanford, he cut State-financing for publicly funded Colleges and Universities from 33% to 14% (stats from The Citadel) and institutions of higher learning raised prices across the board-more on Sanford in Monday’s post.

I digress; indeed, the College of Charleston dangled a sizeable carrot to lure Benson to Charleston, but we have planted a seed for excellence. Dr. Benson received a 17% raise to leave his position at the Terry School of Business at UGA, and he is making $135,000 more than former CofC president Lee Higdon (not that $215,000 a year is a paltry pay-day for in the public sector) but Dr. Benson will be worth his weight in fundraising gold. During Benson's brief tenure as Dean at UGA's Terry School, he raised more than $40-million! Think about that for a minute, he was a Dean of their business school (not President) in Athens and rose forty-large!

When I return from my brief trip to Cola for John and Jacqueline Marshall’s wedding, I'll try to put up some photos of recent CofC developments from the construction down on George and St. Phillip streets.

*(Data from the Post & Courier: The State of South Carolina will pay the allocated money of $160,000; the College of Charleston Foundation will supplement Benson's income with almost $200,000).
(Photos compliments of JET/Bushido-taken with Sony-Ericsson W300i camera-phone)

Stephen Colbert's painting is nabbed by Sticky Fingers for Save the Children Charity

As soon as I cut my computer on this morning I had an e-mail from Sime that the guys (owners) of Sticky Fingers Restaurants purchased Stephen Colbert’s painting (within a painting) on eBay for over $50,000 with the proceeds going to the Save the Children charity. Chad Walldorf, one of the principal owners of Sticky Fingers restaurant chain, plans on hanging the painting in one of their locations in Charleston. (Charleston, S.C. was the “eagle’s nest” for both Colbert and Sticky Fingers). Hopefully, Stephen will end up in a place of distinction perhaps next to the autographed photo of B.B. King.

Congrats to all of the members of this auction, it seems everybody is a winner. Sticky Fingers has some unique art. The Children get saved and Stephen Colbert gets a new painting of himself (within a painting…within a painting). I think the next painting should have him holding a picture of a brandy snifter, inside a brandy snifter inside a brandy snifter with Alec Baldwin’s picture in it. Seriously, everybody wins, and that’s the Word!

(Photo AP/Comedy Central)

Mike Veeck will speak at the Chas County Library tonight! 6:30 pm

President and Co-Owner of the Charleston River Dogs Mike Veeck will speak tonight at the Charleston County Library (6:30 pm). Veeck will share his “Fun is Good” philosophy for success in the work place. Mel saw him a few months ago and said he was quite entertaining as well as informative. If you can’t make it, Veeck’s book (co-written with Pete Williams) is available via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or by clicking here for Veeck’s own web-site.

I have yet to read the book, but I did read about Veeck and his daughter in Sports Illustrated, so I have the gist of where he is headed. If you can’t make it, don’t worry. I will be at the library tonight and report back to you tomorrow.

(Photo compliments of the Charleston River Dogs)

CofC Welcomes Dr. George Benson today @ 1-pm @ Randolph Hall

Today at 1 o’clock in Randolph Hall, the College of Charleston will welcome the 21st President of the College to our campus. Last week, a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees installed Dr. George Benson as the new occupant of the Bishop’s House on Glebe Street. (Not George Benson the 8-time Grammy Award winning legendary jazz guitarist-see photo courtesy of OnlyFunk.com.) Before coming to the College of Charleston, Dr. Benson was the dean of the Terry College of Business (UGA), prior to that position he led the Rutgers Business School @ Rutgers (The State University of New Jersey) Go Scarlet Knights! See “talking points” paragraph for the rumor that I am about to start.

Background: A Pennsylvania native, Benson received his undergrad from Bucknell University (1968), grad work in OPs Research at NYU and Pilled It High & Deep in Decision Sciences at University of Florida (1977). Benson currently serves as chair of the Baldrige (National Quality) Award. This is an appointed position from Carlos Gutierrez,* the US Secretary of Commerce. Dr. Benson cut his teeth in the research arm of ATT&T-Bell labs (see commercial: Trying to find a way to make computers talk more like humans-joke). He later taught at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management before taking the position at Rutgers.

Talking points for the reception at the Cistern following the press conference and welcoming: I know, you are expecting a big, juicy rumor from me today since I didn’t post the “Wednesday’s WTF?” (Stay tuned. I was working on one last night before Blogger kept shutting down for some reason-I am guessing increase of traffic since the election. Also, there is a post regarding Kerry’s comments floating around in the Blogosphere.) No, I am not starting the rumor that Dr. Benson hazed CBS-president Les Moonves during a “wild Philly-hairy buffalo” party his senior year at Bucknell.

One step away from Ivy League
I am starting the rumor that, CofC alums: Jamie Mellen, Jamie Teske, Rob Going and J. Trabert have financially made it possible to establish a football team at the College of Charleston. The “Group of Four” lobbied the Board of Trustees to choose their recruit Dr. George Benson for his fund-raising skills, his mathematical/technical background and his close relationship with Rutger’s football coach Greg Shiano as well as the Georgia Bulldog football administration and development, in an effort to reestablish a football program at the College of Charleston, thus allowing the school to be in consideration for “Ivy League” status. (Ivy League status consists of the following: 1) old school. 2) Academically hard to get into. 3) The School has a crappy football team that only beats Harvard or Colgate each year.) Founded in 1770, The College of Charleston is the oldest municipal college in America (Age, check!) CofC is academically one of the toughest colleges to get into and established a terminal degree University (Academics: check!) All we need is a lackluster football team that beats Harvard and the Citadel every year and we’ll be Ivy League qualified. I know, football teams are expensive and this is a horribly conceived rumor to start. What can I say? I gave you the Les Moonves rumor option.

The Bushido welcomes CofC’s 21st president P. George Benson and his wife Jane to the City of Charleston and to our community.