Neither party knocked one out of the park last night. However, John Kerry certainly rebounded from his fake sun tan gone awry and his disastrous Good Morning America outing. Most talking heads are saying that Kerry flat out won. I didn't see that at all. However if I had to declare a winner, I would have only given Kerry an victory by a tiny margin. Kerry needed that bad though, in fact I tried to call Drew earlier that day to tell him if Kerry had were to loss the debate that I would have figured the wheels to offically have come off his campaign.
I am told Bush was out heavily campaigning in the roasting sun, and perhaps that sucked some of his energy as the debate wore on. Bush, did seem some what annoyed, and reminded me of Al Gore in 2000. Not nearly as bad, but he sighed heavily and mad frowns as John Kerry gabbed on. Whatever the reason Bush had the tendency to sigh before he made a point or do an impression of Pork Pig and stumble over his words. Both parties repeated themselves too many times (although I guess they might be trying to drill certain points home) and Bush was more guilty of that then his democrat counter part.
Well if anyone is still reading this blog (Price is away, and Ed is God knows where) this is likely your last stop on your list of sources for your political news and view. Not to mention the fact that if your home reading this on a Friday night lame enough, so instead of dissecting it anymore (although I will mention some things I didn't like) I would like to try to make heads or tails out of the two candidacy stance on Iraq. Seriously this is how I am taking their takes on what they think of Iraq.
Bush:
Listen right after 9/11 I made it fairly clear that we were going to be in a long war that would involve many different battle grounds and challenges. Okay, so we didn't get Osama and people think that I veered off in Iraq, but I got a list of people who would most likely to catch us sleeping and Saddam's Iraq was on the top of the list. Our intelligence said Iraq had WMDs and since Saddam isn't the most honest guy in the world I assumed the intelligence was right so rolled the nice and sent the troops in. It turns out we were wrong, but at least now this guy who killed lots of people and didn't like us is gone now. We would rather fight the terrorists there so if they want to come out of the woodworks, better to blow them up in the desert then on the streets of America. So, now things are messy over there but we can't just leave. Seeing as where at this point it would be even worse to leave it a total mess and make us look dumb and apathetic to whether or not Iraq gets their act together. Yeah people are pissed at us right now, but we will fix the bad Iraqis will eventually give up.
Kerry
Well Saddam was a bad guy, and although I looked at the same intelligence I would have slept on the whole invasion thing for awhile longer. Yeah I considered him a threat at the time,but I don't think I could have really made my mind up that soon. Just a wait and see policy. Now look its a mess and Bush rolled the dice and lost. If I knew what I know now how messy it would have been and that there weren't any winds I wouldn't have even bothered. Then again at the time I thought there were winds,but now I know that there aren't so obviously I wouldn't have gone to war. So, basically now its the wrong war at the wrong time, unless their were WMDs which may or may not have made a difference in my mind. I mean now that I think of it there are lots of other bad guys like Saddam that we leave alone. Of course now I want more troops in there to stop the WMDS from getting into the country throughout he borders. So, I am going to send them. However, if things settle down I can start to settle down we are going to have troops starting to leave Iraq by July. Well, if you want to know anymore I am afraid you are going to have to go to www.johnkerry.com.
What I didnt like:
Out of all the countries that have nuclear capabilities that Kerry listed how many of them are our friends? Like England..etc.
Kerry plugging his website
The fact that Bush acting silly when Kerry talked and got miffed easily. Also that fact that the last 30 mins seemed like he just wanted to get the hell out of there. Like, come on Mr. Questions Guy isn't it time to go home yet? Still with the questions? Lets see...um...something something ...bring them to justices....Liberty....yada yada yada...
I dunno maybe he forgot to tape Joey or something.
Final Thought:
Both sides seem a little let down. Both Kerry and Bush fans think their man fumbled chances to nail the other speaker. I agree with that, the both missed chances to got for the gut. Doubt their teams will let them make the same mistake in round 2.
One question:
Who was right about the Iran question about when sanctions were put on Iran?
Tucker's Pick: John Kerry is the winner by a hair or two.
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Friday, October 01, 2004
About Last Night...
Well after the reherseal for DAn K's wedding a bunch of us went back to Jessica's aunts house for an after party. Much to my surprise I actually did get to see some of the debate. I got to see the first 30 mins, and roughly the last 30 mins of the debate last night.
First off this was the best house to be in to watch a debate at least.
1. Rick who registed just to help vote Bush out off office, so was obviously rooting for John Kerry.
2. Dan K who could thinks they are both duds, but tends to favor Bush for the most part. HOwever, he refuses to vote since he feels its all BS, and we are all just basically pawns. Of course the two of us shot of one liners and used our dry sense of humor to mock the debate. We were keeping track of flubs, for the two candidates but the game was eventaually tracked when Jessica got annoyed that Dan K was not mingling enough.
3. Bush, supporters. Very rarely do I actually surrond myself with Bush supporters(non-family members anway), most if not all my friends LOATH Bush. So, to meet people that hated Kerry and wanted to vote for Bush was a refreshing change. Nice to get a different angle on it. Some of them were young even! As far as I know they didnt want destroy the world, kill minorities, or suppress anyone's vote.
4. A group of a few, that didn't know what a Presidental debate actually was let alone that there was one that night. These people seemed utterly confused why we had an interest in going to the other room to watch any of it.
Of course it was party so we had to soicalize and stuff so I missed that start of it. I have to watch the middle portion.
I tell you one thing though when we went upstairs and people asked us how it was going it was fairly agreed that Bush had the upper hand fairly clearly. In fact I thought if Bush is just warming up he is going to mop the floor with him.
Then we return and it was like flipping back to a hockey...er um baseball game to find that the Phillies who were leading by 8 runs are in danger of losing the ball game.
I have no idea what happened half way through that changed the tides. I would declare it a draw at this point given how well Bush did at the start of the debate, but I have to go back to the tape and come back on here and write my final thoughts.
Where did everyone else watch the debates?
come back and check it out.
ps Lima Beanz I miss you
First off this was the best house to be in to watch a debate at least.
1. Rick who registed just to help vote Bush out off office, so was obviously rooting for John Kerry.
2. Dan K who could thinks they are both duds, but tends to favor Bush for the most part. HOwever, he refuses to vote since he feels its all BS, and we are all just basically pawns. Of course the two of us shot of one liners and used our dry sense of humor to mock the debate. We were keeping track of flubs, for the two candidates but the game was eventaually tracked when Jessica got annoyed that Dan K was not mingling enough.
3. Bush, supporters. Very rarely do I actually surrond myself with Bush supporters(non-family members anway), most if not all my friends LOATH Bush. So, to meet people that hated Kerry and wanted to vote for Bush was a refreshing change. Nice to get a different angle on it. Some of them were young even! As far as I know they didnt want destroy the world, kill minorities, or suppress anyone's vote.
4. A group of a few, that didn't know what a Presidental debate actually was let alone that there was one that night. These people seemed utterly confused why we had an interest in going to the other room to watch any of it.
Of course it was party so we had to soicalize and stuff so I missed that start of it. I have to watch the middle portion.
I tell you one thing though when we went upstairs and people asked us how it was going it was fairly agreed that Bush had the upper hand fairly clearly. In fact I thought if Bush is just warming up he is going to mop the floor with him.
Then we return and it was like flipping back to a hockey...er um baseball game to find that the Phillies who were leading by 8 runs are in danger of losing the ball game.
I have no idea what happened half way through that changed the tides. I would declare it a draw at this point given how well Bush did at the start of the debate, but I have to go back to the tape and come back on here and write my final thoughts.
Where did everyone else watch the debates?
come back and check it out.
ps Lima Beanz I miss you
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
"Goodenow to Fans: YOU ARE JUST JEALOUS!
The candian press recently got NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow and NHL commish Gary Bettman together and a fight didn't break out. Of course there won't be any pucks being dropped anytime soon either.
The people running were certaily harsher on Goodenow than Bettman.
Here are some of the highlights: (I put my thoughts in Italics)
``We've tried to find a common ground and tried to find a fair solution but the only response we've got from Gary Bettman and the owners so far is that it has to be a cap, it has to be a cap, and as long as that's the stance,unfortunately, this lockout is going to continue,'' said Goodenow.
HMMM...what about the NFL, they have a cap with tons more money coming in and they aren't starving on the streets.
Andrew Stelmack, in the studio audience, said he had no empathy for theplayers, who make $1.8 million US on average now and who would still get $1.3million US on average if the NHL had its way.``Hockey players are highly paid and they deserve to be highly paid,'' saidGoodenow. ``It is a marketplace and it has worked for many, many decades and webelieve that some type of marketplace going forward is the ultimate fair kind of system for fans, players and owners.
Um...the markeplace has worked terribly in the last few years. Over half a dozen teams have almost gone belly up in front of our eyes. Small market teams have had to give away star players for buckets of pucks.
Rob Van Wallegham, speaking from Calgary, said ``the union appears to beperpetuating the greed of the players.''
Goodenow didn't like that.
``The players are not greedy, not at all,'' he said. Some people might be jealous of their wealth, he suggested.``Sometimes people say, `I'm mad at the players,''' he said. `
`The reality is,what we're trying to do is to make sure the public knows: one, the players arelocked out; two, that they want to play; three, that their salaries have beenset by the owners, and salaries go up and down based on their performance.``
It's not the players triggering these problems. The problems are complex and dynamic. It's important for the public to understand . . . that the players are not asking for more. The players are asking for just a fair share and a marketplace system.''
Shouldn't the accept the good with the bad? They are sharing a shrinking market. There will be no market if players aren't back on the ice ASAP. Americans have short attention spans. I think more people are jealous of their talent then their wealth. We are mad at the players because many of them don't seem to give a damn about the game. Goodenow I guess forgets who pays their salary. How cocky of him to boil the anger down to simple jealousy. Clearly, his side doesn't give a damn about the fans or was in a coma during the baseball lockout which damaged the game for years.
Cut to a youngster in Ottawa saying he can't understand why players arecomplaining.``The players aren't complaining,'' said Goodenow. ``They want to play but they've been locked out.
Very cute there Bob-o. They like to call it a lockout so it looks like the players are sobbing shaking locks on the doors of the rinks. In reality when asked if they could just work under the previous agreement while they worked out their differences.
``What Gary Bettman and the owners have done is that they want a fight with the players and that's what a lockout is all about - to put pressure on the playersto succumb to a salary cap, which they've known all along is a type of systemthe players aren't at all interested in considering.''
Wait, hasn't he said several times they did everything they could to avoid a lockout? Well, they didn't even consider the main point of the agreement. They keep talking about the players deserve to get the money they want. Well, the owners deserve to make a profit. The owners own the league not the players. Players don't even have to live up to their salary, they get paid are bought our either way. Almost all their other demands the NHL was likely going to bow to. Less games..etc
Goodenow said "there is no correlation between ticket prices andplayers' salaries. Supply and demand determines ticket prices and not teampayrolls, he said".
Supply and Demand?!!?!? WOW. Is he that out of touch? The Flyers who have one of the biggest fanbases in the NHL had to beg people to fill the seats last season. The Stanley Cup Champs last year tried an all you can drink night (wisely it was nixed) to sell out seats during the Flyers/bolts Series last season. Who could he actually think that is true? So, many rinks were simply not selling out last season. WOW.
I can't imagine that all the NHL players buy into this mindset. PLease won't someone break the union line. PLease.
NOTE TO READERS:
If you want a complete verision of the article I was using drop me an email!
The people running were certaily harsher on Goodenow than Bettman.
Here are some of the highlights: (I put my thoughts in Italics)
``We've tried to find a common ground and tried to find a fair solution but the only response we've got from Gary Bettman and the owners so far is that it has to be a cap, it has to be a cap, and as long as that's the stance,unfortunately, this lockout is going to continue,'' said Goodenow.
HMMM...what about the NFL, they have a cap with tons more money coming in and they aren't starving on the streets.
Andrew Stelmack, in the studio audience, said he had no empathy for theplayers, who make $1.8 million US on average now and who would still get $1.3million US on average if the NHL had its way.``Hockey players are highly paid and they deserve to be highly paid,'' saidGoodenow. ``It is a marketplace and it has worked for many, many decades and webelieve that some type of marketplace going forward is the ultimate fair kind of system for fans, players and owners.
Um...the markeplace has worked terribly in the last few years. Over half a dozen teams have almost gone belly up in front of our eyes. Small market teams have had to give away star players for buckets of pucks.
Rob Van Wallegham, speaking from Calgary, said ``the union appears to beperpetuating the greed of the players.''
Goodenow didn't like that.
``The players are not greedy, not at all,'' he said. Some people might be jealous of their wealth, he suggested.``Sometimes people say, `I'm mad at the players,''' he said. `
`The reality is,what we're trying to do is to make sure the public knows: one, the players arelocked out; two, that they want to play; three, that their salaries have beenset by the owners, and salaries go up and down based on their performance.``
It's not the players triggering these problems. The problems are complex and dynamic. It's important for the public to understand . . . that the players are not asking for more. The players are asking for just a fair share and a marketplace system.''
Shouldn't the accept the good with the bad? They are sharing a shrinking market. There will be no market if players aren't back on the ice ASAP. Americans have short attention spans. I think more people are jealous of their talent then their wealth. We are mad at the players because many of them don't seem to give a damn about the game. Goodenow I guess forgets who pays their salary. How cocky of him to boil the anger down to simple jealousy. Clearly, his side doesn't give a damn about the fans or was in a coma during the baseball lockout which damaged the game for years.
Cut to a youngster in Ottawa saying he can't understand why players arecomplaining.``The players aren't complaining,'' said Goodenow. ``They want to play but they've been locked out.
Very cute there Bob-o. They like to call it a lockout so it looks like the players are sobbing shaking locks on the doors of the rinks. In reality when asked if they could just work under the previous agreement while they worked out their differences.
``What Gary Bettman and the owners have done is that they want a fight with the players and that's what a lockout is all about - to put pressure on the playersto succumb to a salary cap, which they've known all along is a type of systemthe players aren't at all interested in considering.''
Wait, hasn't he said several times they did everything they could to avoid a lockout? Well, they didn't even consider the main point of the agreement. They keep talking about the players deserve to get the money they want. Well, the owners deserve to make a profit. The owners own the league not the players. Players don't even have to live up to their salary, they get paid are bought our either way. Almost all their other demands the NHL was likely going to bow to. Less games..etc
Goodenow said "there is no correlation between ticket prices andplayers' salaries. Supply and demand determines ticket prices and not teampayrolls, he said".
Supply and Demand?!!?!? WOW. Is he that out of touch? The Flyers who have one of the biggest fanbases in the NHL had to beg people to fill the seats last season. The Stanley Cup Champs last year tried an all you can drink night (wisely it was nixed) to sell out seats during the Flyers/bolts Series last season. Who could he actually think that is true? So, many rinks were simply not selling out last season. WOW.
I can't imagine that all the NHL players buy into this mindset. PLease won't someone break the union line. PLease.
NOTE TO READERS:
If you want a complete verision of the article I was using drop me an email!
"Tucker to TERMINUS"
Well it's fairly clear that my friend and author of TERMINUS dislikes President Bush. So, I can only imagine that he is voting for John Kerry. In fact, most people that I bump into on the street seem to be ready to make Kerry our next president.
So, Drew has been kind enough to list everyday for the last several years of why Bush sucks, and why he is the worse president ever. Thats great that Drew dedicates lots and lots of time to spreading the word to give Dubbya the boot. Of course I am not nearly as liberal as Drew so I don't always agree with him.
however, looking all through TERMINUS I see a common theme among Kerry supporters. All reasons why we shouldn't vote for Bush, and little or no reasons why we should vote for Kerry. Now don't you think you should have a decent reason to vote for the man?
I am not trying to start a fight or anything here. It's just I would imagine that if Drew reads so much about such things that he should have a list of reasons why Kerry is going to be a good leader.
So, I am asking DREW to have a John Kerry Week on TERMINUS. Of course, the idea of asking someone else to have a theme for his blog for an entire week is sort of strange, but he seems to be bored over there. Sure, he will have plenty so say about the debate but since Drew blogs like twice a day I would like to think he could find time to tell our readers why we should vote for him.
So, Drew please let us know why John Kerry would make a good president. Honestly, when I ask most people when the vote for Kerry, they just start quoting Michael Moore, and the majority of them can't tell me one single thing they like about Kerry. No one can tell me what they like about his Senate record (that's a hard once since he never talks about it really) or why he would be a good leader and what he would actually do to make US, a better America.
So, Drew Why not make the Week of Oct 4th the week of John Kerry. I would love to see it. You clearly love the man. That will give you ample time to prepare your notes and iron out JOHN KERRY WEEK! If you choice to take me up on the offer.
I plan to cover the debates on here, but the write up on the first one might be a tad late. I have Dan K's wedding this weekend and actually have rehearsal when the debate is on..So I need to tape it and watch it later. I look forward to having people comment on the debates, and I will break down who I think won. I will also comment on who wore a cooler tie.
****note to readers anyone who uses this blog as their official source of election shouldn't vote**.
So, Drew has been kind enough to list everyday for the last several years of why Bush sucks, and why he is the worse president ever. Thats great that Drew dedicates lots and lots of time to spreading the word to give Dubbya the boot. Of course I am not nearly as liberal as Drew so I don't always agree with him.
however, looking all through TERMINUS I see a common theme among Kerry supporters. All reasons why we shouldn't vote for Bush, and little or no reasons why we should vote for Kerry. Now don't you think you should have a decent reason to vote for the man?
I am not trying to start a fight or anything here. It's just I would imagine that if Drew reads so much about such things that he should have a list of reasons why Kerry is going to be a good leader.
So, I am asking DREW to have a John Kerry Week on TERMINUS. Of course, the idea of asking someone else to have a theme for his blog for an entire week is sort of strange, but he seems to be bored over there. Sure, he will have plenty so say about the debate but since Drew blogs like twice a day I would like to think he could find time to tell our readers why we should vote for him.
So, Drew please let us know why John Kerry would make a good president. Honestly, when I ask most people when the vote for Kerry, they just start quoting Michael Moore, and the majority of them can't tell me one single thing they like about Kerry. No one can tell me what they like about his Senate record (that's a hard once since he never talks about it really) or why he would be a good leader and what he would actually do to make US, a better America.
So, Drew Why not make the Week of Oct 4th the week of John Kerry. I would love to see it. You clearly love the man. That will give you ample time to prepare your notes and iron out JOHN KERRY WEEK! If you choice to take me up on the offer.
I plan to cover the debates on here, but the write up on the first one might be a tad late. I have Dan K's wedding this weekend and actually have rehearsal when the debate is on..So I need to tape it and watch it later. I look forward to having people comment on the debates, and I will break down who I think won. I will also comment on who wore a cooler tie.
****note to readers anyone who uses this blog as their official source of election shouldn't vote**.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
"Fans Know Best"
Check this out and read what some fans are saying about the lockout. Lots of great points beign made here.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
"IVAN Strikes Back!"
Hurricane Ivan is turning out to be a real pain in the ass. Not only did he (and his remains) claim the lives of almost 130 people (not all Americans) he also was the cause of major river flooding in North Jersey. He tore through the entire eastern sea board and left parts of where he first landed in shambles.
Now a large part of Ivan went back south and hit warm water again. He skippped over part of Florida again and is gaining strenght AGAIN. Of course he is in the gulf and won't get as much energy, but he is now a tropical depression again, and will likely be upgraded till a tropical storm when he hits land AGAIN.
How very strange.
Now New Jersey is usually more likely to get hit by a hurricane later in the season. We are in that part now, and although Jeanne isn't I direct threat it is likely to hit closer to use landfall wise the start of next week.
Now a large part of Ivan went back south and hit warm water again. He skippped over part of Florida again and is gaining strenght AGAIN. Of course he is in the gulf and won't get as much energy, but he is now a tropical depression again, and will likely be upgraded till a tropical storm when he hits land AGAIN.
How very strange.
Now New Jersey is usually more likely to get hit by a hurricane later in the season. We are in that part now, and although Jeanne isn't I direct threat it is likely to hit closer to use landfall wise the start of next week.
"NHL Dead; Now AHL has lost its head"
Okay, so there will not be any NHL hockey till at least January of 2005. I actually have pretty much come to the conclusion that if it doesn't return it never will. The two parties are that far apart.
Last spring the NHL had a third party give their opinion on the condition of the league that painted a bleak future, and revealed what horrible shape the league was in money wise. We already knew this with half a dozen teams almost going belly-up publicly. The players union's response to this was
"poppycock!" and "lies all lies!" However, they didn't really have any actual facts to back up why they think there shouldn't be a salary cap. Despite the decline in revenue they not only think there shouldn't be cap on teams they wanted to play less games. They wanted the season to be lowered from 84 games to around 75. So, they want unlimited earning potential and lessen the amount of games which would decrease revenue simply cause they didn't feel like playing that many games.
So here we are. The weather is changing and an I robbed of the sport that means the most to me. It has been very hard and kind of depressing for me. I thought perhaps (hard to do with lack of coverage) I would learn more about the players and teams in the AHL and follow the league happenings.
Well the AHL has gone and put many drastic rule changes into the game. So, bascially the verision of hockey that I know and love is dead. Here are the rule changes. Quite possibly the most drastic they ever did.
Permission of “tagging up” to negate off-side plays
Implementation of “no-touch” icing
Widening the blue lines and center red line to 24 inches and moving the goal line back to 11 feet from the end boards, adding space to the neutral zone
Employing a shootout to decide regular-season games which are tied after overtime.
Shootouts? Go lord..what is this a Playstation game? Why not just name Parris Hilton the commish and get it over with.
Last spring the NHL had a third party give their opinion on the condition of the league that painted a bleak future, and revealed what horrible shape the league was in money wise. We already knew this with half a dozen teams almost going belly-up publicly. The players union's response to this was
"poppycock!" and "lies all lies!" However, they didn't really have any actual facts to back up why they think there shouldn't be a salary cap. Despite the decline in revenue they not only think there shouldn't be cap on teams they wanted to play less games. They wanted the season to be lowered from 84 games to around 75. So, they want unlimited earning potential and lessen the amount of games which would decrease revenue simply cause they didn't feel like playing that many games.
So here we are. The weather is changing and an I robbed of the sport that means the most to me. It has been very hard and kind of depressing for me. I thought perhaps (hard to do with lack of coverage) I would learn more about the players and teams in the AHL and follow the league happenings.
Well the AHL has gone and put many drastic rule changes into the game. So, bascially the verision of hockey that I know and love is dead. Here are the rule changes. Quite possibly the most drastic they ever did.
Permission of “tagging up” to negate off-side plays
Implementation of “no-touch” icing
Widening the blue lines and center red line to 24 inches and moving the goal line back to 11 feet from the end boards, adding space to the neutral zone
Employing a shootout to decide regular-season games which are tied after overtime.
Shootouts? Go lord..what is this a Playstation game? Why not just name Parris Hilton the commish and get it over with.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
"The Big 400 Movie Game!"
According to the masterlist for my blog, it say this is my 400th blog! Of course some had to be reprinted all at once after the first TUCKER's WORLD died. So, its actually more then that.
Okay, in honor of the big 400, I am going to get a movie game started for the comments section. The rules are simple. I give clues for an actor...if people don't know just post no clue. If you have a guess post on there and I will say if you are right or wrong.
The first person that gets it right gets to write clues of their own and we all try and guess. The game ends when we generally all lose interest which with my blog should be in less then 24 hours.
OKay here we go:
I have worked with Oliver Stone 3 times
I have shared scenes with both Kevin Spacy, Marlon Brando and John Candy
Despite most people not knowing my name, I have been in big '90s films such as
Pulp Ficition, Field of Dreams and JFK.
Who am I ?
Okay, in honor of the big 400, I am going to get a movie game started for the comments section. The rules are simple. I give clues for an actor...if people don't know just post no clue. If you have a guess post on there and I will say if you are right or wrong.
The first person that gets it right gets to write clues of their own and we all try and guess. The game ends when we generally all lose interest which with my blog should be in less then 24 hours.
OKay here we go:
I have worked with Oliver Stone 3 times
I have shared scenes with both Kevin Spacy, Marlon Brando and John Candy
Despite most people not knowing my name, I have been in big '90s films such as
Pulp Ficition, Field of Dreams and JFK.
Who am I ?
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
"NHLPA Blindness Leads to Lockout; & I Want Bob Goodenow to Burn in Hell"
note: the title came to mind after I wrote the article. I tried to be fair I really did. I wanted to keep this from being a curse fest and now I am going to go hit stuff after repressing my anger while writing this and keeping it suitable for children. The anger is starting ooze out and maybe I should have titled it before the oozing started...enjoy...and comment...
I was going to try to break down on here why the NHL is not going to have a season or least a complete season. However, I am filled with so much utter rage that I can’t even reasonably do this. Now lets get this straight the owners are no angels in this mess, but it’s mainly out of their hands now. Some of the bigger market teams got into an arms race in the NHL to stockpile their teams with talent in order to get the cup, so they figure since they have the money the best way to insure the player will join their team is to pay them insanely high wages so that the majority of the league like Buffalo, Calgary’s, and Ottawa’s of the world will be out of contention.
What this did was allow player’s agents to have more leverage and compare their clients performance to others who are earning more in order to figure out how much they are worth. It trickled down so much that the average players or players that don’t even necessarily draw fans and revenue the way Patrick Roy would. For example, Martin Lapointe’s agent can say he look Micheal Peca got 4.5 million last season when he signed, and Lapointe had 20 goals last year too. So, since this other owner is paying him that, Lapointe should be paid that. They only problem is they are guaranteed contracts unlike some sports, meaning John Leclair can do figure 8’s at center ice and still get paid his 9 million (for the record the other two players salaries were guessed by me, that is actually what John earns). Some players have incentives in their contracts if their static’s hit certain amounts, but should they have to give back some of their money if they suck really bad?
Okay, so the owners help make this mess, but at this point its only the players that can fix it. The NHL has been losing it’s fan base with the game becoming duller and duller each passing year. Fans aren’t supporting the teams as much. Hell the Ottawa Senators simply couldn’t pay their players a few years back. Buffalo was bought out by a bored billionaire, and Ottawa was taken over by the NHL for a time. Almost a dozen NHL teams are close to filling bankruptcy including the Pittsburgh Penguins which oddly enough has their owner also a player. The NHL just narrowly avoided having a team fold in the middle of a season quite a few times, and it’s unlikely they could have made it much longer without having a bored billionaire save the day. They basically used up all of their nine lives, and NHL could only bail out so many teams and it could have happened mid-season which would be a disaster and an embarrassment.
The media cover of the sport has been shrinking in the past few years. In fact the lockout itself has gotten and likely after a few days of it being actual news will disappear to page 7 of the sports papers. It’s a shame that the mainstream media doesn’t follow it like the NHL, because at least they could put some pressure on the two sides.
The most powerful player in this mix is the president of the NHL PA Bob Goodenow might think he knows what is best for his players, but has arrogantly underestimated the backlash of the fans. Forgive me for not being fair and balanced, but if this stupid prick actually believes that fans would return enough to pay the salaries of his precious union members as far down the road as 1.5 years he ought to be tested for drugs. If I were in the position and power of a media hockey guy, I would use Goodenow as face of the death of hockey, and do everything I possibly could to make his life a living hell. I wish nothing but ill-will to him his family and everyone he holds dear to his heart. If I saw him I would certainly pull his shirt over his head and start throwing punches.
I imagine from reading the quotes that some players clearly including Keith Primeau in the Daily News that said that it would hurt hockey. Well, gee doesn’t sound like you agree with what your union leader is doing if you think it’s going to bad, right? Okay, technically the owners LOCKED out the players, but independent studies have shown the financially the league can live the way it is, or even with the proposal that the players union drew up. In fact they barely made any changes in the one they presented last week in the one they did 15 months ago.
It’s unbelievable after seeing the damage a strike did to baseball a much stronger financially stable sport. I can’t imagine that even if the season starts in January that all will be forgiven at the drop of the puck. In the post 9/11 world the tolerance of such BS is drastically lower. It’s ironic that as Hurricane Ivan is about to hit the land on the US, and destroy people’s homes and take lives that this arrogant players can actually think that a salary cap which would simply lower their earning potential (a few million as opposed to mega millions) is an actual “PROBLEM”.
I can’t imagine how anyone can side with the players, if the want to blame the owners more for this mess then that’s your opinion which I clearly disagree with. However, I don’t know how anyone can actually SIDE with the players or sympathize for them. Try to use any example you want, but it comes down to the players want the chance to earn ludicrous money. Just one thing greed. The league minimum (600,000k I am fairly sure) is certainly enough for anyone to live on. The union might think they are trying to do them a favor to keep them forever in this utopia of inflated salaries, but the truth is the money going can’t and won’t support it. Like all industries the bubble has burst, just ask all the people who went into debt after the airlines industry took a nose dive. If they want to act like big business bad-asses the greedy dickweeds, need to accept the good with the bad. In this case the bad is still having everyone making more than more American do that work all year round. No one is losing their house, or being exploited here. Unions back in the day helped factory workers who could barely afford to not starve to death fight back. When children were factory workers were 12 or younger. When things were certainly messed up back then and America is a better place for those unions. There are no heros here, a lock out doesn’t help the sport, it doesn’t help Goodenow or his union members, unless he wants to be named Time Magazine’s Asshole of the year.
Sorry for the length of the article, but I am sure you knew this was coming. I think I have exercised pretty good restraint from turning it into a cursing tirade. One more think, earlier tonight John Lecalir said is doesn’t really matter all that much till January since most people are going to be talking about the Eagles anyway. True the Eagles over shadow the other teams in this area, but the hard core fans like myself can’t wait for this time of year just ask all the people who sit in the frozen Skatezone just to watch the team skate. How, utterly a dumb thing for John to say, and not to mention insulting to his fans. Does he really think they can go that long and not feel the affects? Last I checked the Flyers were begging for people to come to their games all year round. What a smug cocksucker he is, I guess it doesn’t really matter to that prick that God gave him the talent to play the game. I guess it doesn’t matter the beautiful game of hockey that brings so much happiness to hard working people as the highlight of the work week is going to be ruined. People who like to sit down and watch the game and forget about their REAL problems for a few hours are being screwed. I can only hope that with his new found down time he pulls a Pelle , but if he wants us to give a crap he better do it after the Eagles get eliminated.
Oh… here is a test to see what an impact this lockout will have. Look at the headline of all 3 papers tomorrow I bet its on the front of one at best. Maybe a side story on some, but likely not even a mention on some. I am always setting a date for January 15th, 2005 as my deadline. If the NHL does not return by then, I will lock out the entire league (maybe not the sport I might still watch the AHL, and will give the WHA a shot) for the rest of my life. That’s right I will quit the NHL cold turkey and never watch another game. January 15th , 2005 or I will lock them out of my life forever.
Bob Goodenow can kiss my ass. You may have just signed the NHL's death warrent. No one wins with a lockout.
I was going to try to break down on here why the NHL is not going to have a season or least a complete season. However, I am filled with so much utter rage that I can’t even reasonably do this. Now lets get this straight the owners are no angels in this mess, but it’s mainly out of their hands now. Some of the bigger market teams got into an arms race in the NHL to stockpile their teams with talent in order to get the cup, so they figure since they have the money the best way to insure the player will join their team is to pay them insanely high wages so that the majority of the league like Buffalo, Calgary’s, and Ottawa’s of the world will be out of contention.
What this did was allow player’s agents to have more leverage and compare their clients performance to others who are earning more in order to figure out how much they are worth. It trickled down so much that the average players or players that don’t even necessarily draw fans and revenue the way Patrick Roy would. For example, Martin Lapointe’s agent can say he look Micheal Peca got 4.5 million last season when he signed, and Lapointe had 20 goals last year too. So, since this other owner is paying him that, Lapointe should be paid that. They only problem is they are guaranteed contracts unlike some sports, meaning John Leclair can do figure 8’s at center ice and still get paid his 9 million (for the record the other two players salaries were guessed by me, that is actually what John earns). Some players have incentives in their contracts if their static’s hit certain amounts, but should they have to give back some of their money if they suck really bad?
Okay, so the owners help make this mess, but at this point its only the players that can fix it. The NHL has been losing it’s fan base with the game becoming duller and duller each passing year. Fans aren’t supporting the teams as much. Hell the Ottawa Senators simply couldn’t pay their players a few years back. Buffalo was bought out by a bored billionaire, and Ottawa was taken over by the NHL for a time. Almost a dozen NHL teams are close to filling bankruptcy including the Pittsburgh Penguins which oddly enough has their owner also a player. The NHL just narrowly avoided having a team fold in the middle of a season quite a few times, and it’s unlikely they could have made it much longer without having a bored billionaire save the day. They basically used up all of their nine lives, and NHL could only bail out so many teams and it could have happened mid-season which would be a disaster and an embarrassment.
The media cover of the sport has been shrinking in the past few years. In fact the lockout itself has gotten and likely after a few days of it being actual news will disappear to page 7 of the sports papers. It’s a shame that the mainstream media doesn’t follow it like the NHL, because at least they could put some pressure on the two sides.
The most powerful player in this mix is the president of the NHL PA Bob Goodenow might think he knows what is best for his players, but has arrogantly underestimated the backlash of the fans. Forgive me for not being fair and balanced, but if this stupid prick actually believes that fans would return enough to pay the salaries of his precious union members as far down the road as 1.5 years he ought to be tested for drugs. If I were in the position and power of a media hockey guy, I would use Goodenow as face of the death of hockey, and do everything I possibly could to make his life a living hell. I wish nothing but ill-will to him his family and everyone he holds dear to his heart. If I saw him I would certainly pull his shirt over his head and start throwing punches.
I imagine from reading the quotes that some players clearly including Keith Primeau in the Daily News that said that it would hurt hockey. Well, gee doesn’t sound like you agree with what your union leader is doing if you think it’s going to bad, right? Okay, technically the owners LOCKED out the players, but independent studies have shown the financially the league can live the way it is, or even with the proposal that the players union drew up. In fact they barely made any changes in the one they presented last week in the one they did 15 months ago.
It’s unbelievable after seeing the damage a strike did to baseball a much stronger financially stable sport. I can’t imagine that even if the season starts in January that all will be forgiven at the drop of the puck. In the post 9/11 world the tolerance of such BS is drastically lower. It’s ironic that as Hurricane Ivan is about to hit the land on the US, and destroy people’s homes and take lives that this arrogant players can actually think that a salary cap which would simply lower their earning potential (a few million as opposed to mega millions) is an actual “PROBLEM”.
I can’t imagine how anyone can side with the players, if the want to blame the owners more for this mess then that’s your opinion which I clearly disagree with. However, I don’t know how anyone can actually SIDE with the players or sympathize for them. Try to use any example you want, but it comes down to the players want the chance to earn ludicrous money. Just one thing greed. The league minimum (600,000k I am fairly sure) is certainly enough for anyone to live on. The union might think they are trying to do them a favor to keep them forever in this utopia of inflated salaries, but the truth is the money going can’t and won’t support it. Like all industries the bubble has burst, just ask all the people who went into debt after the airlines industry took a nose dive. If they want to act like big business bad-asses the greedy dickweeds, need to accept the good with the bad. In this case the bad is still having everyone making more than more American do that work all year round. No one is losing their house, or being exploited here. Unions back in the day helped factory workers who could barely afford to not starve to death fight back. When children were factory workers were 12 or younger. When things were certainly messed up back then and America is a better place for those unions. There are no heros here, a lock out doesn’t help the sport, it doesn’t help Goodenow or his union members, unless he wants to be named Time Magazine’s Asshole of the year.
Sorry for the length of the article, but I am sure you knew this was coming. I think I have exercised pretty good restraint from turning it into a cursing tirade. One more think, earlier tonight John Lecalir said is doesn’t really matter all that much till January since most people are going to be talking about the Eagles anyway. True the Eagles over shadow the other teams in this area, but the hard core fans like myself can’t wait for this time of year just ask all the people who sit in the frozen Skatezone just to watch the team skate. How, utterly a dumb thing for John to say, and not to mention insulting to his fans. Does he really think they can go that long and not feel the affects? Last I checked the Flyers were begging for people to come to their games all year round. What a smug cocksucker he is, I guess it doesn’t really matter to that prick that God gave him the talent to play the game. I guess it doesn’t matter the beautiful game of hockey that brings so much happiness to hard working people as the highlight of the work week is going to be ruined. People who like to sit down and watch the game and forget about their REAL problems for a few hours are being screwed. I can only hope that with his new found down time he pulls a Pelle , but if he wants us to give a crap he better do it after the Eagles get eliminated.
Oh… here is a test to see what an impact this lockout will have. Look at the headline of all 3 papers tomorrow I bet its on the front of one at best. Maybe a side story on some, but likely not even a mention on some. I am always setting a date for January 15th, 2005 as my deadline. If the NHL does not return by then, I will lock out the entire league (maybe not the sport I might still watch the AHL, and will give the WHA a shot) for the rest of my life. That’s right I will quit the NHL cold turkey and never watch another game. January 15th , 2005 or I will lock them out of my life forever.
Bob Goodenow can kiss my ass. You may have just signed the NHL's death warrent. No one wins with a lockout.
"Frankenfish Comes to South Jersey!"
The Big Timber Creek in South Jersey might be home to the dreaded FRANKENFISH, or Northern Snakehead for your bookish type. A couple who lives in Glendora that have a house on the creek claimed to have seen the creepy fish like mutant running around.
For those of you who never heard of this creek should know it is the one that branches out near the Deptford Mall. The river basically feeds from the Delaware River roughly 5 miles away.
The Frankenfish should be killed on the spot if you find it. The fish can get out of the water and walk on land where it can live for a few days. They can grow up to 3 feet and threaten various different types of fish. They obviously aren't supposed to be in this area, but they have been showing up in the Delaware River, and if this sighting is true it means they are moving into South Jersey waters!
Supposedly the fish comes from Asia, where they consider it good luck to throw one into the water after the eat one. Apparently, in Asia good luck means throwing really creepy fish into waters with no regard and watch it as it comically walks on land killing and eating everything in sight.
So, put him on the check list for the things to fear in South Jersey.
With the Garden State Parkway Trolls.
THe Jersey Devil.
and ... Pennsylvania drivers
For those of you who never heard of this creek should know it is the one that branches out near the Deptford Mall. The river basically feeds from the Delaware River roughly 5 miles away.
The Frankenfish should be killed on the spot if you find it. The fish can get out of the water and walk on land where it can live for a few days. They can grow up to 3 feet and threaten various different types of fish. They obviously aren't supposed to be in this area, but they have been showing up in the Delaware River, and if this sighting is true it means they are moving into South Jersey waters!
Supposedly the fish comes from Asia, where they consider it good luck to throw one into the water after the eat one. Apparently, in Asia good luck means throwing really creepy fish into waters with no regard and watch it as it comically walks on land killing and eating everything in sight.
So, put him on the check list for the things to fear in South Jersey.
With the Garden State Parkway Trolls.
THe Jersey Devil.
and ... Pennsylvania drivers
Saturday, September 11, 2004
It has been three years now since the attacks on our country. This anniversary has been quite noticeably less covered. Perhaps it was the fact that it fell on Saturday, or maybe another year makes it fade a little more. However, there is very little coverage compared to last year, and a bigger indication is people that I came across today. I don't think anyone was even mentioning it all morning long. Even radio talk show host (usally the B-list on this off day) weren't even all touching on the subject.
True we must all move on, but surely we should never forget what happened on it. Maybe are all 9/11 ed out since it's a hot issue this election year. It would be nice if you my readers could use their comments section to post where they were and what they were doing the morning of 9/11/01.
True we must all move on, but surely we should never forget what happened on it. Maybe are all 9/11 ed out since it's a hot issue this election year. It would be nice if you my readers could use their comments section to post where they were and what they were doing the morning of 9/11/01.
Friday, September 10, 2004
"Ain't Looking Too Good!"
Fresh from NHL.com folks.
Bill Daly statement following Sept. 9, 2004Negotiating session with NHLPA
Sept. 9, 2004
TORONTO - Bill Daly, NHL Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, today released the following statement:
"We are extremely disappointed with what the Union presented to us today. Not only did the Union's proposal fail to move the process toward a resolution but, in fact, represented a step backwards in the process.
"As we predicted, two weeks ago in Ottawa, the Union has simply repackaged its original unacceptable and ineffective proposal from 15 months ago -- and even watered it down. Even under the Union's modeling and projections, which we do not agree with or accept, more than half of our Clubs would still lose money and nearly a third of the Clubs would still lose in excess of $10 million each season.
"Nothing more clearly demonstrates the Union's unwillingness to acknowledge or meaningfully address this League's problems than this recycled proposal.
"No further meetings are scheduled at this time."
Bill Daly statement following Sept. 9, 2004Negotiating session with NHLPA
Sept. 9, 2004
TORONTO - Bill Daly, NHL Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, today released the following statement:
"We are extremely disappointed with what the Union presented to us today. Not only did the Union's proposal fail to move the process toward a resolution but, in fact, represented a step backwards in the process.
"As we predicted, two weeks ago in Ottawa, the Union has simply repackaged its original unacceptable and ineffective proposal from 15 months ago -- and even watered it down. Even under the Union's modeling and projections, which we do not agree with or accept, more than half of our Clubs would still lose money and nearly a third of the Clubs would still lose in excess of $10 million each season.
"Nothing more clearly demonstrates the Union's unwillingness to acknowledge or meaningfully address this League's problems than this recycled proposal.
"No further meetings are scheduled at this time."
Thursday, September 09, 2004
"Drew Can I Sue?"
First off I would like to thank all my readers for commenting on the fake Prez. :::ciccadas chripping::
Well today I am going to start a new feature on my blog called Drew Can I Sue? The idea is to ask long time reader Drew legal question hoping to find out a good lawsuit I can have in order to strike it rich and quit my job. All I need is a shady lawyer and simple minded jury. Given all the lawsuits out there I am sure I can hit a cash cow sooner or later. Hopefully Drew will comment on here and let me know how much water my lawsuits hold. Other readers make sure you read the whole thing in order to answer to questions intended for all readers. So here it goes time to play DREW CAN I SUE?
Case File # 101
Like most people I often eat a meal at Wawa once a week or so. Now everytime I use their new computer to build myself a sandwitch of some sort the last thing it askes is if I want Bacon. Now isn't this trying to get me to eat unhealthy? I mean it isn't up to me to figure out if bacon is bad for me or not right? Shouldn't Wawa be at fault? Here I am trying to eat well and WAWA has to ask if I want Bacon? Are they mocking the jewish at the same time? I'm highly offended and if I keep saying YES then I could have a heart attack and die.
DREW CAN I SUE?
Case File # 102
Leading up to Labor Day Weekend (assume they still are) the state of New Jersey was running ads about how cops are cracking down on drunk drivers. They should 3 NJ residents getting pulled over and trying (and failing) to get away with driving while drunk. You know the ad, teh bad acting everyone saying, "Oh, I only had one or two!"
Here is the kicker they are all males! How VERY Sexist. What women don't drive drunk? All men are stupid and would do something to harm people the love and other innocent motorists? I am highly offended that such sexisim would be displayed saying only males get DUIS!
DREW CAN I SUE?
Case File # 103
The FLyers were supposed to start around the season around my b-day. Liza was going to get me tickets! Now there is likely going to be a lockout. The Flyers ruined Liza's gift idea, and my birthday. What a bunch of jerks. I think I am never going to bounce back from this birthday downer.
DREW CAN I SUE?
Questions for the readers:
1. The other night while I was sleeping I woke up and my shoulder randomly popped out of the socket, not quite in a Martin Riggs way, but enough to notice. Is that normal? Or am I falling apart?
2. Do you want Bacon?
Well today I am going to start a new feature on my blog called Drew Can I Sue? The idea is to ask long time reader Drew legal question hoping to find out a good lawsuit I can have in order to strike it rich and quit my job. All I need is a shady lawyer and simple minded jury. Given all the lawsuits out there I am sure I can hit a cash cow sooner or later. Hopefully Drew will comment on here and let me know how much water my lawsuits hold. Other readers make sure you read the whole thing in order to answer to questions intended for all readers. So here it goes time to play DREW CAN I SUE?
Case File # 101
Like most people I often eat a meal at Wawa once a week or so. Now everytime I use their new computer to build myself a sandwitch of some sort the last thing it askes is if I want Bacon. Now isn't this trying to get me to eat unhealthy? I mean it isn't up to me to figure out if bacon is bad for me or not right? Shouldn't Wawa be at fault? Here I am trying to eat well and WAWA has to ask if I want Bacon? Are they mocking the jewish at the same time? I'm highly offended and if I keep saying YES then I could have a heart attack and die.
DREW CAN I SUE?
Case File # 102
Leading up to Labor Day Weekend (assume they still are) the state of New Jersey was running ads about how cops are cracking down on drunk drivers. They should 3 NJ residents getting pulled over and trying (and failing) to get away with driving while drunk. You know the ad, teh bad acting everyone saying, "Oh, I only had one or two!"
Here is the kicker they are all males! How VERY Sexist. What women don't drive drunk? All men are stupid and would do something to harm people the love and other innocent motorists? I am highly offended that such sexisim would be displayed saying only males get DUIS!
DREW CAN I SUE?
Case File # 103
The FLyers were supposed to start around the season around my b-day. Liza was going to get me tickets! Now there is likely going to be a lockout. The Flyers ruined Liza's gift idea, and my birthday. What a bunch of jerks. I think I am never going to bounce back from this birthday downer.
DREW CAN I SUE?
Questions for the readers:
1. The other night while I was sleeping I woke up and my shoulder randomly popped out of the socket, not quite in a Martin Riggs way, but enough to notice. Is that normal? Or am I falling apart?
2. Do you want Bacon?
Monday, September 06, 2004
"Fake Prez"
Well you might not like either candidate for the White House this fall, but I am sure you can think of a character from TV or film that you would think would be a good leader of the free world. OF course this is just an exercise in the silly and I don't plan in writing in my vote come November, but it might be fun to for readers to to suggest who they would elect if they could vote for beloved characters in tv and film.
My vote would go to Hank Hill from the animated sitcom King of the Hill. Think about it what other person is as honest and hard working as Hank Hill? I think Hank would turn away any of the play to pay scum bags that come to people in power. I think he would certainly do what was good for the United States. Hank is a family man first and foremost and even was kind enough to take his trouble niece in.
Who else would make a good fake Prez?
My vote would go to Hank Hill from the animated sitcom King of the Hill. Think about it what other person is as honest and hard working as Hank Hill? I think Hank would turn away any of the play to pay scum bags that come to people in power. I think he would certainly do what was good for the United States. Hank is a family man first and foremost and even was kind enough to take his trouble niece in.
Who else would make a good fake Prez?
Thursday, September 02, 2004
"W's Big Night"
President George W. Bush just finished his speech before a packed MSG and everyone who was looking forward to the speech got what they wanted. Supporters got some talk about Healthcare coverage an issue that people tend to favor Kerry for. Bush promised smaller businesses cheaper insurance for their employees.
He also tried to come across as caring towards the families of fallen troops in the Iraq war. If he didn't believe in those words than perhaps he can get an Emmy, because he seemed quite honestly chocked up towards the end of the speech when speaking of the family members.
Bush tried to be honest about his short comings mostly the lesser ones such as butchering his words and his bluntness. His "bluntly" a reference to people giving him flack of being a loose cannon cowboy hell bent on not listening to reason. He laid out finally that at least voters know he stands his ground and they know what they are getting if they vote for Bush. He repeated again that we are in troubled times, but we should realize there is a greater good in the end.
So Bush supporters will be happy with the address, and I think he did well despite the first half of the speech seemed like a pretty routine Bush speech. Talking about how horrible 9/11 was and how our economy was growing.
At the same time Bush set him up to be slammed tomorrow morning (and I assume right now in the blog world) in tomorrow's papers. He never mentioned Osama a mistake if only to prevent people from pointing it out tomorrow, some will say his job growth remarks were BS, and still some will say he wasn't clear enough about the future of Iraq. Also his night might be over shadowed by whatever the hell happened half way through his address. I figured something was wrong when the people started chanting four more years appearing to attempt to drown out something. I figured it was someone cursing the president out. As I type this all I know one likely more people were making some sort of stink and were escorting out by NYC police.
So, tomorrow Bush' supporters should feel a bit better about their chances since I think he addressed a few issues they felt he needed to in order to win the election. At the same time like I mentioned I expect most his critics to slam im on the issues I mentioned before. Actually I am sure there will be more but I zoned out for like 5 minutes when nothing interesting was being said. On the other hand most Bush bashers I would imagine would actually had their Bush failed at the RNC articles written.
Now the election will really heat up! Well what do you think readers how did Bush do? Even better Bush bashers what do you think Bush did well at least politically?
He also tried to come across as caring towards the families of fallen troops in the Iraq war. If he didn't believe in those words than perhaps he can get an Emmy, because he seemed quite honestly chocked up towards the end of the speech when speaking of the family members.
Bush tried to be honest about his short comings mostly the lesser ones such as butchering his words and his bluntness. His "bluntly" a reference to people giving him flack of being a loose cannon cowboy hell bent on not listening to reason. He laid out finally that at least voters know he stands his ground and they know what they are getting if they vote for Bush. He repeated again that we are in troubled times, but we should realize there is a greater good in the end.
So Bush supporters will be happy with the address, and I think he did well despite the first half of the speech seemed like a pretty routine Bush speech. Talking about how horrible 9/11 was and how our economy was growing.
At the same time Bush set him up to be slammed tomorrow morning (and I assume right now in the blog world) in tomorrow's papers. He never mentioned Osama a mistake if only to prevent people from pointing it out tomorrow, some will say his job growth remarks were BS, and still some will say he wasn't clear enough about the future of Iraq. Also his night might be over shadowed by whatever the hell happened half way through his address. I figured something was wrong when the people started chanting four more years appearing to attempt to drown out something. I figured it was someone cursing the president out. As I type this all I know one likely more people were making some sort of stink and were escorting out by NYC police.
So, tomorrow Bush' supporters should feel a bit better about their chances since I think he addressed a few issues they felt he needed to in order to win the election. At the same time like I mentioned I expect most his critics to slam im on the issues I mentioned before. Actually I am sure there will be more but I zoned out for like 5 minutes when nothing interesting was being said. On the other hand most Bush bashers I would imagine would actually had their Bush failed at the RNC articles written.
Now the election will really heat up! Well what do you think readers how did Bush do? Even better Bush bashers what do you think Bush did well at least politically?
Monday, August 30, 2004
"Undecided to Decide?"
Lots of papers seem to be writing about the undecided voters I haven't written down names of the papers (they were all local although some were syndicated columns) and how they could effect the pending election. What do you guys thing?
Well the story has relevance here for two reasons. Number one is that obviously votes are still up for grabs which means there are still some "swing" states floating (including Pennsylvania which surprises me) around out there.
The second reason is that I will have to delay my endorsement for President on my blog. On the bright side I don't think either candidate would be hurt by my delaying my support. Seeing as where very few people read my blog, and the ones that do either have made up their mind a long time ago ( I am starting to think Drew doesn't like Bush) or are not even going to vote.
To my honest and I can imagine this may come to a disappointment to many of my readers that I just haven't been able to hop on the John Kerry bangwagon. I really have kept and open mind about John Kerry too and ALMOST really saw myself voting for him for awhile. Swift boat stories aside (both Kerry and Bush served a hell of lot more than me) its the fact that Kerry still seems to be a bit of an enigma. Maybe the debates will show him a more natural side of him, because for my poltical conventions although entertaining and occasionally (gulp) informative come across as scripted prep-rallies. Think about it aside from the press everyone in the room is voting for the candidate anyway.
John Kerry's speech although well crafted might as well ended in him ripping his shirt open to reveal a large Superman logo. I thought to myself, would I actually be able to find a higher paying job if John Kerry simply slipped into office? I doubt it would have a direct correlation but it would be nice.
What bothers me is John Kerry's voting on defense. I don't get how the same John Kerry as a member of the Senate missed 38 of 49 hearings. Okay, most people play hooky from these things, but it seems strange if he was hardcore security he would have been above .500. However, he also voted cut the intelligence budget by $7.5 billion. Did he have a change of heart at one time? Why not just level with us if that is the case, say listen I learned my lesson from 9/11. Just a few things floating around out there, and most of my information (I know you will ask) comes from an article written by syndicated columnist Cal Thomas who can be found in the Courier Post in this market. Is it just me or does this guy always look like he is wearing is PJs?
Anyway the articles about the undecided have been pretty much dissing people of my mindset the Daily News called us LAME, and another article I read called us not too bright. Still others think we are the ones that can turn the tides. Of course my vote is meaningless in New Jersey since it will likely go straight to John Kerry anyway. I do however have to still vote of course for my own state of mind.
To sum up I have been disappointed in some aspects with Bush( I voted for him in 2004) , but haven't been overly impressed with John Kerry. I even have liberal friends who have said that John Kerry doesn't make it very easy to be likeable. Luckily for me I still have time to make up my mind before I hide behind the curtains come November. Just wish we could have more than two realistic choices. Two people out of the entire country? Hmm..Guess you can always write in a vote. Hey, Drew did you ever find out the name of the crazy lady the roams the streets of Collingswood?
Well the story has relevance here for two reasons. Number one is that obviously votes are still up for grabs which means there are still some "swing" states floating (including Pennsylvania which surprises me) around out there.
The second reason is that I will have to delay my endorsement for President on my blog. On the bright side I don't think either candidate would be hurt by my delaying my support. Seeing as where very few people read my blog, and the ones that do either have made up their mind a long time ago ( I am starting to think Drew doesn't like Bush) or are not even going to vote.
To my honest and I can imagine this may come to a disappointment to many of my readers that I just haven't been able to hop on the John Kerry bangwagon. I really have kept and open mind about John Kerry too and ALMOST really saw myself voting for him for awhile. Swift boat stories aside (both Kerry and Bush served a hell of lot more than me) its the fact that Kerry still seems to be a bit of an enigma. Maybe the debates will show him a more natural side of him, because for my poltical conventions although entertaining and occasionally (gulp) informative come across as scripted prep-rallies. Think about it aside from the press everyone in the room is voting for the candidate anyway.
John Kerry's speech although well crafted might as well ended in him ripping his shirt open to reveal a large Superman logo. I thought to myself, would I actually be able to find a higher paying job if John Kerry simply slipped into office? I doubt it would have a direct correlation but it would be nice.
What bothers me is John Kerry's voting on defense. I don't get how the same John Kerry as a member of the Senate missed 38 of 49 hearings. Okay, most people play hooky from these things, but it seems strange if he was hardcore security he would have been above .500. However, he also voted cut the intelligence budget by $7.5 billion. Did he have a change of heart at one time? Why not just level with us if that is the case, say listen I learned my lesson from 9/11. Just a few things floating around out there, and most of my information (I know you will ask) comes from an article written by syndicated columnist Cal Thomas who can be found in the Courier Post in this market. Is it just me or does this guy always look like he is wearing is PJs?
Anyway the articles about the undecided have been pretty much dissing people of my mindset the Daily News called us LAME, and another article I read called us not too bright. Still others think we are the ones that can turn the tides. Of course my vote is meaningless in New Jersey since it will likely go straight to John Kerry anyway. I do however have to still vote of course for my own state of mind.
To sum up I have been disappointed in some aspects with Bush( I voted for him in 2004) , but haven't been overly impressed with John Kerry. I even have liberal friends who have said that John Kerry doesn't make it very easy to be likeable. Luckily for me I still have time to make up my mind before I hide behind the curtains come November. Just wish we could have more than two realistic choices. Two people out of the entire country? Hmm..Guess you can always write in a vote. Hey, Drew did you ever find out the name of the crazy lady the roams the streets of Collingswood?
Enjoy Republican Week
Thursday, August 26, 2004
"Warning Office People!"
Beware this office type people.
The Creepy Sex Guy:
There is at least one in every office I am talking about the guy who will be way to open with you with in hours of meeting him about his sex life. He will tell you detail what he would do to various attractive women in the office, and keep you up to date on if got laid last weekend or not. It doesn't matter how uninterested you act either, because he will tell the stories loud enough to other guys that you still have to hear about the latest young girl he got into bed. The guy acts like you should care or be jealous of his sex life.
The Lazy Office Assistants
Mostly women in my office, but the gender isn't the issue its the fact that these people do very little work and get annoyed when they have to. The one girl near the fax machine also supplies my department with forms, and I don't think I have seen her do any work yet. She is either staring at her computer mindlessly, or on the phone on a personal call trying to figure out who is bringing what for the pending cook out. They love to squander their time, but bitch more than anyone when they actually have to do work. They often travel in herds as they float around the office an socalize.
The Office Drama Lovers
These people have nothing better to do than rant and rave about who said what or who might be sleeping with who. How they have a enough free time in their day to compile all this information boggles my mind. Perhaps there is some sort of newsletter I don't get or something. If you sit near one of these people you will hear all the dirt on everyone, sure it comes in handy so you know who you have to watch your back against, but other times is just makes you wonder who is bashing you behind you back. Not to mention the fact that you usually know the people they are bashing and the best thing to is just sit there passively and not take a side. Luckily for me nothing interests me less than office politics and I just stay away from them. Maybe thats why people feel safe telling me stuff, because of my aloof personality. Sadly, it likely the people making up for a lack of real social life.
Human Resource Nazis
These people in their little glass office take their job a little too seriously, you would think they were working for Homeland security. They seem to give pleasure in redirecting you to others to fill out paper work, and don't you dare step foot over the line into the office! You are required to stand behind the glass even if they the one girl never gets off to phone to make any indication that she sees you standing there like a retard. Most of them know alarmingly little about anything useful to people who need questions answered.
The Creepy Sex Guy:
There is at least one in every office I am talking about the guy who will be way to open with you with in hours of meeting him about his sex life. He will tell you detail what he would do to various attractive women in the office, and keep you up to date on if got laid last weekend or not. It doesn't matter how uninterested you act either, because he will tell the stories loud enough to other guys that you still have to hear about the latest young girl he got into bed. The guy acts like you should care or be jealous of his sex life.
The Lazy Office Assistants
Mostly women in my office, but the gender isn't the issue its the fact that these people do very little work and get annoyed when they have to. The one girl near the fax machine also supplies my department with forms, and I don't think I have seen her do any work yet. She is either staring at her computer mindlessly, or on the phone on a personal call trying to figure out who is bringing what for the pending cook out. They love to squander their time, but bitch more than anyone when they actually have to do work. They often travel in herds as they float around the office an socalize.
The Office Drama Lovers
These people have nothing better to do than rant and rave about who said what or who might be sleeping with who. How they have a enough free time in their day to compile all this information boggles my mind. Perhaps there is some sort of newsletter I don't get or something. If you sit near one of these people you will hear all the dirt on everyone, sure it comes in handy so you know who you have to watch your back against, but other times is just makes you wonder who is bashing you behind you back. Not to mention the fact that you usually know the people they are bashing and the best thing to is just sit there passively and not take a side. Luckily for me nothing interests me less than office politics and I just stay away from them. Maybe thats why people feel safe telling me stuff, because of my aloof personality. Sadly, it likely the people making up for a lack of real social life.
Human Resource Nazis
These people in their little glass office take their job a little too seriously, you would think they were working for Homeland security. They seem to give pleasure in redirecting you to others to fill out paper work, and don't you dare step foot over the line into the office! You are required to stand behind the glass even if they the one girl never gets off to phone to make any indication that she sees you standing there like a retard. Most of them know alarmingly little about anything useful to people who need questions answered.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
"Two Years & Counting"
Well this week marks the 2nd anniversary of Tucker's World, and the start of the 3rd. Who would have thought that I would actually still be doing this silly little thing?
Thank you everyone for taking time out of your day to read this blog and now even post your comments. I urge you to click on the dates at the side of the blog and go back and travel through time reading old articles.
It seems as though a lot has happened in the past two years. I refer to both events in my life and events in the world. It will be interesting if this site is still here in say 5 years from now to go back and read it.
I have entertained and pissed off almost everyone of my readers at some point. I figured I would make a decision if Tucker's World would continue at the end of the summer and I concluded that I am still have lots of fun doing it. Not to mention the fact that there is an election around the corner.
If you wish post your fondest memory of Tucker's World.
Thanks again for everyone who reads my blog.
Thank you everyone for taking time out of your day to read this blog and now even post your comments. I urge you to click on the dates at the side of the blog and go back and travel through time reading old articles.
It seems as though a lot has happened in the past two years. I refer to both events in my life and events in the world. It will be interesting if this site is still here in say 5 years from now to go back and read it.
I have entertained and pissed off almost everyone of my readers at some point. I figured I would make a decision if Tucker's World would continue at the end of the summer and I concluded that I am still have lots of fun doing it. Not to mention the fact that there is an election around the corner.
If you wish post your fondest memory of Tucker's World.
Thanks again for everyone who reads my blog.
Friday, August 20, 2004
"Pimp My Mall" Echelon's Future
Well if you read this blog you have been able to follow the story of the ailling Echelon Mall. The mall that was one where I hung out at the most during my teenager years. Well if you have been there recently you may have noticed that it is litterally at this point only 50% full of stores at this point. Before the new news lets recap the story.
Sears left after two years oddly enough aftered they build an addition on to the mall for them. The building was owned by Sears and was recently purchased back by the mall. Not long after J C Pennys bounced out leaving only two anchor stores. In the past few years the stores in the mall have been bailing left and right. It was going down in flames and showing signs of age.
PREIT bought the mall over a year and half ago, and after years of scratching their heads and watching their investment sink even more it seems the ball has started rolling. After enough rumors to fill a book that included everything from IKEA to Dave and Busters opening up shop there and even more about the entire mall closing they made huge move a month ago. Just weeks after announcing the puzzling decision to tear down the now vacant J C Penny's store the made it public that a new Wal-Mart store will stand alone in the place of the former Penny's store.
This move got mixed reviews from my readers and people that I know who work and shop at the mall. On one hand the Wal-Mart will bring people in. On the other hand stores Boscov's might get more competition than increased traffic. Plus people though wonder if the mall can last to 2006 when the Wal-Mart finally opens. Not to mention that it is not going to be connected to the mall.
Well the are now rather loftly plans to overhaul the mall including updating the interior. If you recall Sears and Penny's actually shared a parking lot. So since the Wal-Mart will stand on the grave of Penny's the Sears building is going to somehow be converted into another enterance into the mall. The plans are some what vague but it will make it more appealing to just drive or walk across connecting parking lot and enter the mall there. It's not clear if there will be a new anchor store there, or if shops will take over the new wing at this point. Something tells me another big announcement might be not too far off.
PREIT has plans to add "dinning options" soon and recently claimed that the Mall still owns a liquor liscenes (before my time there was a steakhouse and bar there Im told) which would help draw people in and give them something to do after dinner. If its' done right this really could work, and I can invision a well down landscape bettween Wal-Mart and the new enterance or anchor store.
The Food Court shouldn't be too affected since the employees of the mall have to eat some where cheap, and just look at Deptford to see how they can co-exist. It would be cool to have a Bennigans or something that isn't really in this area.
So, keep your eye on the mall, and it should be interesting to watch the next few years. I slammed PREIT for not doing anything after a year, but now it seems like they are fully commited to the project. Hopefully, in a few years you can walk through the pimped out mall and say remember when this was a dive? Yeah and that Tucker guy blogged about it all the time?
What do you think? Will the Wal-Mart bring the wrong crowd? Is is all smokescreen only to have the mall leveled next year?
Sears left after two years oddly enough aftered they build an addition on to the mall for them. The building was owned by Sears and was recently purchased back by the mall. Not long after J C Pennys bounced out leaving only two anchor stores. In the past few years the stores in the mall have been bailing left and right. It was going down in flames and showing signs of age.
PREIT bought the mall over a year and half ago, and after years of scratching their heads and watching their investment sink even more it seems the ball has started rolling. After enough rumors to fill a book that included everything from IKEA to Dave and Busters opening up shop there and even more about the entire mall closing they made huge move a month ago. Just weeks after announcing the puzzling decision to tear down the now vacant J C Penny's store the made it public that a new Wal-Mart store will stand alone in the place of the former Penny's store.
This move got mixed reviews from my readers and people that I know who work and shop at the mall. On one hand the Wal-Mart will bring people in. On the other hand stores Boscov's might get more competition than increased traffic. Plus people though wonder if the mall can last to 2006 when the Wal-Mart finally opens. Not to mention that it is not going to be connected to the mall.
Well the are now rather loftly plans to overhaul the mall including updating the interior. If you recall Sears and Penny's actually shared a parking lot. So since the Wal-Mart will stand on the grave of Penny's the Sears building is going to somehow be converted into another enterance into the mall. The plans are some what vague but it will make it more appealing to just drive or walk across connecting parking lot and enter the mall there. It's not clear if there will be a new anchor store there, or if shops will take over the new wing at this point. Something tells me another big announcement might be not too far off.
PREIT has plans to add "dinning options" soon and recently claimed that the Mall still owns a liquor liscenes (before my time there was a steakhouse and bar there Im told) which would help draw people in and give them something to do after dinner. If its' done right this really could work, and I can invision a well down landscape bettween Wal-Mart and the new enterance or anchor store.
The Food Court shouldn't be too affected since the employees of the mall have to eat some where cheap, and just look at Deptford to see how they can co-exist. It would be cool to have a Bennigans or something that isn't really in this area.
So, keep your eye on the mall, and it should be interesting to watch the next few years. I slammed PREIT for not doing anything after a year, but now it seems like they are fully commited to the project. Hopefully, in a few years you can walk through the pimped out mall and say remember when this was a dive? Yeah and that Tucker guy blogged about it all the time?
What do you think? Will the Wal-Mart bring the wrong crowd? Is is all smokescreen only to have the mall leveled next year?
Thursday, August 19, 2004
"NIGHTmare Fishing"
This past Tuesday I cut out of the office early, and hung out with Price at his new house in Williamstown which is located right on a beautiful private lake. It was the first time that I can recall that I had a chance to go fresh water fishing (now that I think of it I likely had to of at a really young age) Price and spend a good part of the afternoon on a canoe relaxing and fishing. It was an awesome day weather wise and it gave us a chance to really catch up on each others lives for the most part. I hoisted up what we figure was a Sunfish and Price got about 3 fish of his own.
Later, that day Price’s wife cooked us an awesome meal after Liza, and Price’s sister-in-law and boyfriend joined us. She really out did herself and after finishing the meal we decided to take the canoes out on the water and tour the lake and do some night fishing. I was excited at the prospect of Liza being on a boat for the first time. However, she was uneasy when she realized I would be navigating the boat and told me she would leave me if I sent her into the bottom of the lake. I did not send my loving Liza to her watery grave, but had some navigated related difficulty compared to the more seasoned canoe people on the lake that night The other boat had Price his wife and a random girl, the 3rd boat had Price’s sister in law and boyfriend.
So, after all this bragging about boating a flounder the heat was on in front of my girlfriend. Well, let me tell you it was quite dark out there and I am surprised I got the worm on the hook with out shoving a hook through my finger. Now there are some slight differences in fresh and salt water fishing mostly in how you hold the rod, and to some extent how you react when you feel a bite. Anyway my first cast was fairly uneventful and overshadowed by the fact that someone (it was dark I don’t recall who) pulled up catfish literally seconds after casting.
So, my 2nd cast was uneventful, but since it was so darn dark I cranked the line all the way to the top of the rod. It being so dark and a lighter rod I didn’t notice. This is usually and easy fix and I did it once successfully, then I followed it up by another cast the resulted in cranking it up to high. So, here I am the only one in the boat with a rod (Liza was just chilling) trying like a madman to fix it again in the pitch black. The other boats were just mere shadowing images floating on the water. Although, the one dude had a flashlight on him I was still fumbling with the rod in the dark. I knew it would be a matter of time till someone asked how were doing. Much to my horror they did before I could get the rod fixed. At some point, the problem went from an over cranked line to that fact that the act reel was falling off the rod. Having no clue what happened any very little vision I tried desperately to fix the situation.
For all I know at this point that an important part to the reel feel quietly an unnoticed to the floor of the boat. The reel just kept whoobling off. I tried both ways, but it just refused to screw back in. Eventually, I realized that I couldn’t solve the problem. So, Liza and rowed over to Price’s boat who had his wife and some random girl I met only a few times on board. It turns out that it was not only the random girls’ rod, but I ended up having two girls strip my of my manhood as they tried to perform surgery on the stubborn rod. The two of them failed as I did and at this point I didn’t know what to root for either A. I will be shown fools since it was an obvious easy fix, or B I had broken the fishing pole of the random girl who was getting increasingly upset. Well lets just say I offered to buy a new reel about 4 times in the minutes that followed.
A few minutes later Price got snagged on a lily pad. Liza and I were sent to find the line and yank it out of the lily pad. I really tried to fine the damn thing on the moonless starless nigh. It was so dark that I could barely tell if Liza had fallen over board or not let alone find something that was virtually invisible. I guess Price should have pulled up the anchor and paddled to it the lily pad in or order to release stress on the line, and perhaps had I suggested that in time I could have redeemed myself to a certain extent. However, when the thought surfaced in my brain it was too late and the line snapped. Then the third boat yelled that they were already out of worms. Needless to say it was a short fishing trip.
So, there I was after my flounder I caught earlier this summer that somehow seems more like 6 inches then 22 inches looking making me more like Clark Griswold than a bass master in front of my girlfriend who never saw me fish. Now I feel as though that I the random girl will wish to see our next trip on the lake to end with me at the bottom. For all I know it was fixed later that night, but I still think I have to boat the lake monster that Price claims is lurking in the waters in order to regain my manhood.
Later, that day Price’s wife cooked us an awesome meal after Liza, and Price’s sister-in-law and boyfriend joined us. She really out did herself and after finishing the meal we decided to take the canoes out on the water and tour the lake and do some night fishing. I was excited at the prospect of Liza being on a boat for the first time. However, she was uneasy when she realized I would be navigating the boat and told me she would leave me if I sent her into the bottom of the lake. I did not send my loving Liza to her watery grave, but had some navigated related difficulty compared to the more seasoned canoe people on the lake that night The other boat had Price his wife and a random girl, the 3rd boat had Price’s sister in law and boyfriend.
So, after all this bragging about boating a flounder the heat was on in front of my girlfriend. Well, let me tell you it was quite dark out there and I am surprised I got the worm on the hook with out shoving a hook through my finger. Now there are some slight differences in fresh and salt water fishing mostly in how you hold the rod, and to some extent how you react when you feel a bite. Anyway my first cast was fairly uneventful and overshadowed by the fact that someone (it was dark I don’t recall who) pulled up catfish literally seconds after casting.
So, my 2nd cast was uneventful, but since it was so darn dark I cranked the line all the way to the top of the rod. It being so dark and a lighter rod I didn’t notice. This is usually and easy fix and I did it once successfully, then I followed it up by another cast the resulted in cranking it up to high. So, here I am the only one in the boat with a rod (Liza was just chilling) trying like a madman to fix it again in the pitch black. The other boats were just mere shadowing images floating on the water. Although, the one dude had a flashlight on him I was still fumbling with the rod in the dark. I knew it would be a matter of time till someone asked how were doing. Much to my horror they did before I could get the rod fixed. At some point, the problem went from an over cranked line to that fact that the act reel was falling off the rod. Having no clue what happened any very little vision I tried desperately to fix the situation.
For all I know at this point that an important part to the reel feel quietly an unnoticed to the floor of the boat. The reel just kept whoobling off. I tried both ways, but it just refused to screw back in. Eventually, I realized that I couldn’t solve the problem. So, Liza and rowed over to Price’s boat who had his wife and some random girl I met only a few times on board. It turns out that it was not only the random girls’ rod, but I ended up having two girls strip my of my manhood as they tried to perform surgery on the stubborn rod. The two of them failed as I did and at this point I didn’t know what to root for either A. I will be shown fools since it was an obvious easy fix, or B I had broken the fishing pole of the random girl who was getting increasingly upset. Well lets just say I offered to buy a new reel about 4 times in the minutes that followed.
A few minutes later Price got snagged on a lily pad. Liza and I were sent to find the line and yank it out of the lily pad. I really tried to fine the damn thing on the moonless starless nigh. It was so dark that I could barely tell if Liza had fallen over board or not let alone find something that was virtually invisible. I guess Price should have pulled up the anchor and paddled to it the lily pad in or order to release stress on the line, and perhaps had I suggested that in time I could have redeemed myself to a certain extent. However, when the thought surfaced in my brain it was too late and the line snapped. Then the third boat yelled that they were already out of worms. Needless to say it was a short fishing trip.
So, there I was after my flounder I caught earlier this summer that somehow seems more like 6 inches then 22 inches looking making me more like Clark Griswold than a bass master in front of my girlfriend who never saw me fish. Now I feel as though that I the random girl will wish to see our next trip on the lake to end with me at the bottom. For all I know it was fixed later that night, but I still think I have to boat the lake monster that Price claims is lurking in the waters in order to regain my manhood.
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