Studying...

See you tomorrow!

The latest Kosher Top Ten from BangItOut.com

Top Ten Sefirat Omer Pick-up Lines
10. Last night must have been 9, cause tonight you are a ten!
9. I'm not listening to the radio cause baby we could make sweet music on our own
8. I lost count, perhaps reciting YOUR number would jog my memory
7. Do you by any chance find facial hair attractive?
6. Why count with a brocha? Seems to me you've been already exceedingly blessed
5. If Shavous is considered like a wedding, the omer must be 49 nights of us dating
4. Omer is really all about barley offerings, does buying you a beer count?
3. Forget reciting the wrong day, I look at you, and baby I am down for the count!
2. It must be the Seventh night cause you're making me week
1. Wanna go all the way?... I meant counting the omer with a brocha, sicko.

This looks interesting but I don't know if I will be in attendance. Kos, himself, will be in Louisville on May 10th.

The public is invited to hear them speak to the Metro Democratic Club at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 10, at United Auto Workers Local 862, 3000 Fern Valley Road , just east of I 65. The authors will sign their books from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Boston Red Sox lossed on Friday witha score of 5-2. Matt Clement is now 2-2.

Lobbying reform bill update.

Karl Rove is keeping busy with testifying for a fifth time.

Former Gov. Mark Warner will visit to Israel.

Long weekend ahead

For that reason, I am taking a study break to blog some this afternoon.

I took advantage of the streaming music of Neil Young's new album, Living with War. Though it is controversial, it is now in my all-time top ten. I'm a big fan of protest songs that he and other bands have done in the past. One of my favorites was done with his old band, the Buffalo Springfield. It's a Stephen Stills tune called "For What It's Worth." Overall, this album is not that bad. It's a rocker and the controversial tune here is one called "Let's Impeach the President."

In political news, Congress and the White House are at odds with each other over what to do with FEMA. You may remember FEMA for not doing it's job that well last August and September when one of the worst hurricanes hit the country.

Jewish leaders and a few Congressmen were arrested at a protest outside of the Sudanese embassy. Here is another article on the protest.

"The slaughter of the people of Darfur must end," Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., a Holocaust survivor who founded the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, said from the embassy steps before his arrest.

Four other Democratic Congress members James McGovern and John Olver of Massachusetts, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Jim Moran of Virginia were among 11 protesters arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly, a misdemeanor subject to a fine.

"We must hold the Sudanese government accountable for the attacks they have supported on their own citizens in Darfur," Olver said.

Dozens of demonstrators carried signs, some reading "Stop the slaughter" and "Women of Darfur suffer multiple gang rapes," in front of the embassy Friday morning.

In sports news, the Bradley University Braves won the NCAA appeal and they can keep the Braves nickname.

"Bradley University has used the Braves name since 1937 and we are pleased that the many generations of Bradley athletes to come will continue to bear that name, representative of the pride and tradition of our University," said Bradley University President Dr. David Broski. "The University will continue to encourage in our student body the qualities of honor, courage, tenacity, loyalty, and endurance associated with the Braves name. Additionally, the University will continue its commitment to encourage our students to learn about and respect Native American peoples and traditions. Bradley does not now and will not in the future use Native American depictions in its logo."

Here's an in-depth look from the Tribune on the new Young album.

Howard Dean will visit Indianapolis for a fundraiser.

Looks like another Bayh-Warner endorsement.

The Guess Who, consisting of Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings, are split on the new Neil Young album.

Not that I care for the Cubs but Jim Les will be throwing out the first pitch and singing during the 7th Inning Stretch on Monday. I don't believe the game will be aired on WGN.

Bradley University men’s basketball coach Jim Les, who recently directed the Braves to the third round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament, will throw out the first pitch and will be the guest singer of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during Monday’s Chicago Cubs baseball game versus the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

See ya tomorrow!

Living with War

Living with War

Cleaning out the inbox...

While I have finals next week, blogging will vary as to when I post something but Redbirds Fun will always be updated! Don't forget to vote for Barry Welsh in IN-6 on May 2, 2006! If you live in KY-2, vote for Rep. Mike Weaver on May 16th! In KY-3, vote for John Yarmuth! Finally, in KY-1, vote for Eric Streit! All links can be found on the sidebar, or on the candidates link.

Since I barely blogged today due to working on a paper that is due by midnight on Saturday, and some campus activities this evening. Oh yea, I won more Reds tickets.

Is Cheryl Hines the First Wife of Comedy?

The Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis, has a new album due out in the year. It features a lot of guest musicians who are stars in their own right.

Redemption, a star-studded effort featuring the likes of Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Jimmy Page, was originally set for a February 2005 release via DreamWorks Nashville, which has since closed down.

Be sure to catch The Late Show with David Letterman as Jerry Lee Lewis will be singing "Great Balls of Fire."

The BatCats beat the Murray State Racers in a double header.

On Wednesday, Willy Mo Pena went yard but the Red Sox lost 7-1. Tim Wakefield moved his record to 1-4 on the season. The Sox are a bit slow on their game notes but Cleveland managed to cause a quick exit for Josh Beckett who moves to 3-1, following a 15-3 victory for the Tribe. Ben Broussard, one of my favorite former Louisville Bats, went yard twice, including a grand slam. Victor Martinez also went yard for the Tribe. Broussard started the evening with a .370 batting average. He's now at .407. Broussard had a career high of eight RBIs. Louisville native Paul Byrd picked up the win and he is now at 3-2 on the season.

There will be a rally this weekend in DC for the Save Darfur campaign. Here's an excerpt from a Barack Obama email.

I am writing to draw your attention to the deteriorating crisis in Darfur, Sudan, and to urge you to press the Bush Administration, Congress, and key international actors to step up their efforts to stop the killing. Since the fighting began in 2003, the Khartoum government and its proxy militia have killed more than 400,000 Darfurians, and displaced another two million. Every day that the conflict continues, more women are raped, more families are massacred, more children are orphaned. President Bush has said that the slaughter constitutes "genocide," and he is right.

I will fly to Washington, DC this Sunday, April 30, to participate in the "Save Darfur Rally" on the National Mall. I will join Elie Wiesel, George Clooney, Congressman Frank Wolf, and others from 2pm to 4:30 pm, between 3rd and 4th Streets in front of the U.S. Capitol.

Will Jim Newberry be the next Mayor of Lexington?

Fletcher says he restrained himself with budget cuts.

This is all until I finish my paper on Friday!

More on Yoffe

A more in-depth JTA article.

Papers and class all day long. We'll se ya tomorrow!

UPDATE:
Check out this poll

Rick Bozich's column on pitcher Jeremy Sowers, a graduate of Ballard High School.

Here's an article on Bonds. I'm so sick of hearing about Barry Bonds so reading that Selig won't do anything for 715 makes me so happy! I have no problem if Pujols gets to 715 or even 756 home runs. Or anyone else for that matter, even if they do play for the Yankees. Why? I hate the attitude that Barry Bonds has. As to Alex Rodriguez breaking the record, possibly, I have a problem with the fact that he is the most over-paid player out there. The contract that he had with Texas was so absurd that they couldn't really afford to compete with the rest of the league.

Open Thread

Who let the blog out?!?

Lame excuse for a lame title but the only thing on my mind are these papers due this week.

Neil Young's new CD will be streaming online come Friday. Now comes the question of what time will it be streaming?

Just seven months after the release of Neil Young's laid-back country/rock record Prairie Wind comes it's complete antithesis: the hard-rocking, furiously politically charged Living With War. Cut in two frenzied weeks at a Los Angeles studio, the album will begin streaming for free on neilyoung.com this Friday, before its release through digital retailers on May 2nd. Rolling Stone got its hands on an early copy, and here are some first impressions.

It's really hard to believe that it was only cut in two weeks. Speaking of Neil Young, I've learned that he's reuniting for a summer tour with old pals David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. There are two concerts that are within driving vicinity from me, it's a matter of getting a car, and getting tickets to the gig.

The Boston Red Sox beat the Indians 8-6 yesterday as Keith Foulke picked up his first win of the season. Jonathan Papelbon picked up his 9th save. Curt Schilling picked up a no-decision. Both David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez went yard.

Who said this quote?

"And if it does happen, the only number I care about is Babe Ruth's. Because as a left-handed hitter, I wiped him out. That's it. And in the baseball world, Babe Ruth's everything, right? I got his slugging percentage and I'll take his home runs and that's it. Don't talk about him no more."

If you guessed Barry Bonds, you are correct!

There is a new secretary in the White House.

Anyone in the sixth district of Indiana? Here's your reminder to vote next Tuesday for Barry Welsh!

This is very shocking! David Williams and Ernie Fletcher could learn something from this recent development.

Delivering the weekly convocation Wednesday at Liberty University, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, got a warm response when he said Reform Jews and evangelical Christians had much in common on Israel, on the "moral crisis in America" and on combating religious persecution abroad.

However, he pointed out differences on issues such as abortion and gay rights.

"Gay Americans pose no threat to their friends, neighbors or coworkers. When two people make a lifelong commitment to each other, we believe it is wrong to deny them the legal guarantees that protect them and their children and benefit the broader society," he said to murmurs, hisses and scattered boos among several thousands students in attendance at the Lynchburg, Va., university.

Falwell admonished the students afterward, saying, "Nobody ever booed me in a synagogue when I said things opposite to what they believed."

I am stunned at the boos that he had to endure but he sure had a lot of courage to say those things.

Some DLC members are hoping to bring the 2008 national convention to Denver.

Back to working on the final paper I have due this semester.

Catch ya later...

Blogging the game on ESPN here in a few...then a paper due Saturday night.

My work is cut out for the time being...

Light Posting Day

Paper #2 of three is now finished so we'll make this one quick. Redbirds Fun has been updated already and I don't know yet if I will live blog tomorrow's game. It all depends on how much I get done this evening with regards to papers due.

I wonder how Demogog, as Politics1 users know him, feels about this?

And yet, for Democrat voting-folks looking for strong political support in a must-win presidential election, Sebelius offers reason to hope here as well. She is as bold—consider her veto of the overwhelmingly politicized Republican push for concealed-gun laws in Kansas last month—as she is solid in her progressive policy approaches (i.e. on healthcare, education, labor, the economy and more). Furthermore, she is pro-choice and anti-capital punishment (and Roman Catholic)—and she has managed to get elected without hiding any of this, here in the same state that houses right-wing nutcase Fred Phelps. Moreover, with the Hillary train gathering steam (something of a Casey Jones suicide run to many party strategists), a Sebelius presence on the Democratic ticket could divert voters eager for a woman to get elected (a worthy cause, no doubt) into a more winnable proposition.

Sebelius herself, of course, is polite but coy about the idea of being a Vice Presidential candidate. “It's very humbling,” she told me, “that others might see me [as a potential candidate]. But I am squarely focused on leading the state of Kansas.” Still, as unlikely a story as it is so far, it can’t beat the improbability of finding a surf shop in central Kansas. And though the plains aren’t likely to revert back into anything resembling an ocean (or even a large lake) anytime soon, Sebelius may—if she seeks it—have a bright future riding the surf from her office on the prairie all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

I got this in my inbox yesterday and found it hilarious.

Once again, The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.

The winners are:
1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.
3. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.
6. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absent-mindedly answer the door in your nightgown.
7. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle (n.), olive-flavoured mouthwash.
9. Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Pokemon (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.
14. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.
15. Frisbeetarianism (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that, when you die, your Soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent (n.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

Congrats to Eric Streit who recieved the Kentucky Education Association endorsement.

The Boston Red Sox (11-5) take on the Toronto Blue Jays tonight. Josh Beckett (3-0, 1.29) starts against A.J. Burnett. Beckett goes for his fourth win in as many chances. A win tonight means that he would join Curt Schilling with four wins each in as many chances. In 1998, the Texas Rangers had two pitchers win four times in their first four starts of the season (Rick Helling, 6; Aaron Sele, 5). Jonathan Papelbon is sporting a Major League look on his head. Oops, those were Friday's game notes. MLB Press Pass sent me the wrong notes!

Be back later...

Paper 1: FINISHED
Paper 2: Almost finished...
Paper 3: Commencing soon...

Academic priorities have the blog shut down for the most part this week.

While I'm on that, any campaigns want to buy a blog ad?

What the?

The Governor vetoed expansion of student housing. Perhaps Ernie should make another visit up here because NKU is running out of rooms!!!

Yom HaShoah: A Prayer

May G-d remember the souls of all the communities of Israel in the European Diaspora who were sacrificed on the altar during the years of the Holocaust (1939-1945): six million men and women, boys and girls, young men and women, infants and the elderly, who were cruelly slain and butchered, and mass murdered in their dwellings places and cities, and in the forests and villages.

Those surviving were brought like sheep to the slaughter to the concentration camps where they died unnatural deaths, and were burned to ashes in the furnaces of the terrible camps of destruction in Germany and Poland, and in the rest of the occupied countries, at the hands of the murderous German people and their Allies, all of whom were of one counsel to annihilate, kill, and utterly destroy the Jewish people, to wipe out the memory of Judaism, and to erase any association with the name Israel.

G-d of vengeance, Judge of the Earth, remember the streams of blood that were spilled like water, the blood of fathers and sons, mothers and sucklings, rabbis and their students, and repay the oppressors of your people seventy times over.

Do not silence the scream of "Shema Yisrael!" uttered by those who were taken to their death, and let the groan of the afflicted ascend before the throne of your glory. Avenge, speedily in our days, before our eyes, the blood of your pure and sanctified sons and daughters who were never had the privilege to be buried as Jews… As it is written: "For He will avenge the blood of His servants, and vengeance he will serve on their oppressors, and He will atone the Land of His people."

Amen. Selah.

Prayer for the Departed:El Malei Rachamim
O G-d, full of mercy, who dwells on high,
Grant proper rest on the wings of the Divine Presence
In the lofty levels of the holy and pure,
Who shine like the glow of the firmament -
For the souls of the

Six Million Jews, victims of the European Holocaust

Who were killed, slaughtered, burned and wiped out
For the Sanctification of the Name
By the murderous Germans and their allies,
Because, without making a vow,
All the community will pray
For the uplifting of their souls.

Therefore, may the Master of mercy
Shelter them in the shelter of His wings for eternity;
And may He bind their souls in the Bond of Life.

The Lord is their heritage.
And may their resting-place be in the Garden of Eden,
And may they reach their destiny at the end of days.

And let us say Amen.

Evening recap

The Cards are on ESPN on Wednesday at 1 PM for an afternoon game so expect me to liveblog that so that means the papers I would work on then will be worked on tomorrow.

As a reminder, if you like what I am doing, please consider making a generous contribution via paypal on the sidebar.

Is there a difference between Sen. Russ Feingold and former Gov. Mark Warner?

How embarrassing. Props to Sir Mick Jagger for not standing down.

On this Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), please take a look at this Save Darfur website to stop genocide once and for all.

Neil Young's Living with War has not been released but is already causing a lot of controversy.

Yes, Albert Pujols went yard for his 12th of the season.

One Down, 7 School Days to Go

Seven more days of classes and finals. How fun...

In other news, NKU Dems elected a new board -- without my knowing -- and I think someone, inadvertedly, took me off the list serv because I sent out a test email and it bounced back... I'm not sure what's going on but it is apparent that I wasted my time writing a two page speech this past week for elections that were supposed to go down this Wednesday but apparently will not. If I sound pissed off, it's because I am. It's bad enough that I have to write three papers this week but the fact that I wrote a two page speech for an officer election only to find out that it won't be given really pisses me off.

Sorry to vent my frustration on you this evening but I've had a really long day.

Recap of news...

Facebook is really starting to piss me off with all their changes. They are trying to copy myspace now it seems...With all these social networks so far, it appears that they now have some extra competition.

Sen. John Kerry joins the list of presidential contenders agreeing with New Hampshire and Iowa being the first in the nation.

Here's a recap of yesterday's forum in New Hampshire.

Whoa, what? You may want to actually click this link.

Oy, vey! This is another must read! Are we on the brink of World War 3?

Iran’s nuclear program is the worst threat Jews have faced since the Holocaust, Israel’s defense minister said.

"The world must not wait. It must do everything necessary on a diplomatic level in order to stop its nuclear activity," Mofaz said Monday in an address to an Iran conference at Tel Aviv University.

"We have not faced such a threat since Hitler," he said.

Israel backs U.S.-led efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program through U.N. sanctions, but has not ruled out military action as a last resort.

In lighter news, two non-Jews made Keeping up with the Steins.

That's all for now.

Quote of the Day

"High principles don't always get you elected."
--Jim Craig, Federal Dynamic Candidate Forum, April 23, 2006

Craig is a candidate for Congress in the first district of New Hampshire.

Light blogging this week

Light blogging this week and next and it has nothing to do with the fact that it is Derby time once again. Mainly because the semester is winding down and it's crunch time except on the weekends when I work.

Robert Klein is funny when he's not in the spotlight and when he is.

Late night funnyman Conan O'Brien has been spotted hanging out the Second City.

O'Brien also stopped by Second City's Old Town headquarters to mingle with the staff. Second City alums Kevin Dorff and Brian Stack are writers for NBC's Late Night With Conan O'Brien.

Another good move by Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh! Also, Bayh is raising $10,000 a day!

New Hamphire State Rep. Peter Sullivan is hitting Jeb Bradley hard when it comes to the topic of special interest money.

The Iowa Senate's top Democrat is not ready to endorse anyone for the presidency quite this early.

Miss Kentucky, Tara Connor, is the new Miss USA.

The BatCats have swept the University of South Carolina this past weekend. That BatCats rallied late in the Saturday and Sunday games to sweep the Gamecocks. IN GLVC action, the NKU Norse took 3 out of four from Indianapolis.

Warner was in Iowa this past weekend.

The Boston Red Sox won today as Matt Clement picked up the win. Jonathan Papelbon picked up his 8th save this season. He's one save away from tieing the MLB rookie record for saves in April. David Ortiz went yard for his eighth home run.

Patrick O'Bryant enters name in NBA Draft

Patrick O'Bryant has made himself eligible for this summer's NBA Draft but will not sign with an agent in the event that he withdraw's by the June 18th deadline.

O’Bryant announced his decision Saturday afternoon during a press conference at Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse on the Bradley campus.

The 7-foot O’Bryant completed his sophomore season last month by helping Bradley (22-11) reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1955. The 2006 Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team All-MVC selection, O’Bryant averaged 13.4 points and 8.3 rebounds during the 2005-06 season. He led the Valley by averaging 2.9 blocked shots per game and his 147 rejections in two seasons already rank third on the school’s all-time list and 10th in Valley history.

As of April 17, 2006, NBADraft.net predicts him in the top ten going to the Seattle Seahawks and has UK sophomore Rajon Rondo being selected by the Indiana Pacers.

I think O'Bryant should finish up college and get his degree but this is just one man's opinion. If he were to stay in college, I could see the Bradley Braves making another run for the championship in the 2006-07 season.

The WLKY Stream

One advantage of the live stream is that I can watch it since I am not in the viewing area. The disadvantage: You hear everything during the commercial breaks that you wouldn't usually here if you were watching on TV.

Long Day and Weekend

The last two weeks or so of the semester means light posting. I'm gonna do a quick blog and then it is back to working on papers for the next few hours. Come post-Derby Day, blogging will be back to normal.

The Red Sox played on Thursday Night Baseball against the Devil Rays and lost. They are now 11-5 after 16 games. Tim Wakefield moves to 1-3. He's really struggling this season. I can say the same about the Cardinals' Jeff Suppan, a former Pirate and Red Sox pitcher. Pitcher Curt Schilling is tied with Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning for 15th place on the career strikeout list. Both have 2,855. Schilling with 145 strikeouts away from 3,000 and he should get that milestone this season or next. Manny Ramirez will become the fourth player player to hit 200 home runs with two different teams with his next home run. He hit 236 with the Cleveland Indians and has hit 199 as a Red Sox. He will join Mark McGwire, Jimmie Foxx, and Rafael Palmeiro. The Sox now start a nine game road trip.

Rep. Ben Chandler will speak at Centre next Monday.

Former Gov. Mark Warner was in Iowa recently. He recently spoke to Chris Woods of the Political Forecast before speaking to Yepsen.

The Kennedy book is coming out this year in time for the elections. He was recently on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

You know what's weird? When just about every UK athletic program but men's basketball is nationally ranked! The baseball team is now on pace to get in the top 15.

Every so often, we get a chance to prove people wrong. That's one of the greatest things about athletics, and it's the chance the UK baseball team has this weekend when it hosts No. 7 South Carolina. The Gamecocks, at 11-4, are the best team in the Southeastern Conference. USC is a premier program having a great season, and it is a prime target for these upstart Cats.

"People still underestimate us," second baseman John Shelby said. "They still think we're the same Kentucky, but we can prove ourselves. If we can pull this, we'll prove to everybody that we're for real."

No doubt about that. This is the biggest weekend for the UK program in at least a decade. That fact is not lost on the players.

"It's the biggest series I've ever played in college," Shelby said.

Forgive head coach John Cohen for not drinking the Kool-Aid. While he grudgingly conceded that these three games are a "tremendous opportunity," he stayed true to Coach-speak.

Kentucky is in the top 25 (ranked 21st) and recently defeated Louisville 3-1. The BatCats are 27-10 overall and 8-7 SEC. For what it's worth, next week's game between UK and Murray State will be on FSN South on Wednesday evening.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel is the hero of incoming JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen.

Time to preview this today's game over at Redbirds Fun.

One reader's not happy

Safe to say, we know how Corey feels right now.

Derrek Lee is out for 8-10 weeks with a broken wrist.

You can add Lee to the Cubs injured list which already consists of: Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Wade Miller, and Angel Pagan.

Pitching this weekend:
Fri, Apr 21 8:10 pm EDT: Mark Mulder vs. Jerome Williams
Sat, Apr 22 2:15 pm EDT: Sidney Ponson vs. Glendon Rusch
Sun, Apr 23 2:15 pm EDT: Jason Marquis vs. Greg Maddux

This needed to be said...

Since my beloved Cardinals are off today, and my weekend starts in three and a half hours, this rant needs to be said.

I watch a lot of sports shows, mainly Around the Horn, Pardon the Interruption, Sportscenter, Baseball Tonight, as well as the Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday Night Baseball, and MLB baseball whenever I have a chance. Granted I may not be the best sports expert out there but I'm one who thinks that Goose Gossage and Lee Smith should be in the Hall of Fame for their numbers as a reliever.

The big story this season has been one name: Barry Bonds. Please tell me that Bonds on Bonds is not airing all season long. It is the worst show to come around since American Idol on FOX. The only record he will likely get is the all-time walk record, which he's most likely already broken. Pitchers are pitching around him because no one wants to see him break Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron's record. I know that I don't. The guy did steroids. How else could you explain a guy that averages 32 home runs in 15 major league seasons hitting 73 home runs in 2001? It's impossible unless you are on steroids!

Now if you want to look at a once-in-a-generation player, you need to look no further than one Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first five seasons, he hit 201 home runs averaging 40 home runs per season. If he keeps on that pace, and judging from this season--you know that he will, Pujols will hit 201 home runs over the next five years for 402 major league home runs in 10 seasons. Fifteen seasons sees him hitting 603 home runs at an average of 40 home runs per season. With the way, this season has started, expect those numbers to be closer to 700 if not more. Currently, he is on pace to break Mark McGwire's team record of 70 home runs in 1998. At an average of 45 home runs per season, Pujols will be at an estimated 426 and 651 in ten and fifteen major league seasons overall, respectively. If he can put up these sort of numbers for 20 seasons, he will, without a doubt, break the record set by Hank Aaron. Unlike Barry Bonds, he is a team leader.

Okay, that's enough ranting for now.

J-Mac gets movie deal

J-Mac to get movie executive produced by Magic Johnson.

For what it's worth

Not the old Buffalo Springfield tune, which is a classic in it's own right.

I hear it through the grapevine that a certain Athletic Director saw a certain video...

Busy day!

Whoa! I didn't realize how busy I was today but I finally have time to catch up on blogging (Nothing other than sports is on right now). Expect this to happen a lot for the next two weeks especially since I have not one but TWO papers due next week. The week after is finals. Academics aside, I am focusing on building up Redbirds Fun right now.

Jim Palmer was just caught reading the paper on the job. Wonder what he was looking for? At this rate, they may want to bring him in to pitch today.

Israeli officials blamed Hamas for the recent Tel Aviv bombing.

Rabbi Arthur Herzberg has died at the age of 84.

For the Red Sox, Jonathan Papelbon has tied the Red Sox rookie record with six. The Red Sox rookie record is 24, set by Dick Radatz in 1972. I take that back, he has broke the April rookie record with seven saves now.

Here's a report on fundraising by congressional candidates in KY. Now that the session is over, expect Rep. Mike Weaver to start campaigning heavily.

Sen. Ted Kennedy will be appearing on one of my favorite television shows.

Former Wildcat voice Ralph Hacker will undergo heart surgery. My thoughts and prayers go out to him.

A film I want to see! Dennis Quaid plays a president who looks similar to President Bush.

A belated Happy Patriot's Day

I forgot to wish my New England readers a happy Patriot's Day so...yea, happy Patriot's Day.

The Red Sox move to 9-4 as the Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 7-6 in the bottom of the ninth inning yesterday. Mike Timlin got the win. Ortiz hit his 6th out of the park and Loretta went yard.

No, the news is not all New England but here's a press release from NH State Rep. Peter Sullivan:

State Rep. Peter Sullivan will participate in a congressional candidate's forum in Exeter on Sunday, April 23. The forum is sponsored by Federal Dynamic, a Democratic Party organization formed to encourage a discussion of federal issues in New Hampshire.

Will Sen. George Allen stay for six years if he is re-elected to the US Senate?

Come on around the Bend...they are getting ready for John Mellencamp up around the Bend.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher no longer sends emails while Sen. Jim Bunning was named one of the worst senators.

Rob Portman is moving offices yet again.

It wa sixty years ago today that Jackie Robinson made his debut for the Montreal Royals.

Breaking: Griffey on DL

Just in: Ken Griffey, Jr. has landed himself back on the DL.

Yarmuth leads opponents

In a poll recently conducted by Cooper and Seacrest Associates on the third district, voters preferred John Yarmuth over opponents. The poll, conducted on March 22-23, surveyed 507 Democrats that were likely to vote this year.

Initial trial heat (initial ask and uninformed):
Yarmuth 33%
Horne 10%
Farnsley 6%
Moore 1%
Undecided 50%

Name recognition:
Yarmuth 55%
Favorable 73%
Unfavorable 9%

With Yarmuth and Horne head to head:
Yarmuth 42%
Horne 26%

Everyone should get behind John Yarmuth and support his run for Congress. He is the obvious choice and I plan to do all that I can for him.

Other news this afternoon...

I will not be at the CDA convention in St. Louis this summer. I'd like to but it's just not feasable this summer. For one, St. Louis is away that weekend and I doubt I can get tickets for the Wednesday night.

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley leads Dave Duncan 47% to 33%.

My condolences to the Israeli familes affected by the latest bombing.

Bad news on the financial front.

A good move by the Washington Nationals

Here is an excerpt of Shelomo Alfassa's review of The Ten Commandments:

In all seriousness, what was most deplorable was that the film purposefully scrubbed out any reference to the Jewish people. The words 'Jewish,' 'Jews,' 'Hebrews,' 'Israelites' and the phrase 'Children of Israel' were never mentioned. The victims in the film were only called "slaves."[...]

Although they never come out and call them Hebrews, a number of the key victim population in the film were portrayed to look like descendants of Eastern European Jews, Ashkenazim, with hook noses and stereotypical curly hair. In addition, the "Jews" in the background were clearly Arab extras, probably locals from Morocco where the film was shot. They looked NOTHING like the tall and light skinned Moses or Aaron.[...]

The film does not follow the Biblical account, there is full fictionalization including Moses' imaginary Egyptian brother "Menerith," a person ABC invented. At one point, during a tearful goodbye scene between Moses and Menerith, they touch each other's face and stare at each other so much--and--so deeply into one another's eyes, you would think you were watching Brokeback Mountain. I am sure I was not the only viewer that-just for a second-thought "are these guys going to lock lips?"

All in all, ABC produced a cheap and unachieved reproduction of the 1956 Cecil B. DeMille film by the same name. It is not that the 1956 film was Biblically accurate either, but as Hollywood films go, the 1956 film was at least created without political correctness, political messages, bizarre psychological drama and down right fictional stories and characters.

Interesting take on another story...

Back on campus...

First off, to all those Reds fans out there, I will not rub it in (I do that to Cubs fans only) but how about those Pujols home runs today?!? I'm calling the MVP this season as his right now.

Okay, let's get down to business. I have emails from Wednesday to today to get to and thank G-d, I set my Google alerts to once a day! I may change the Cardinals and Walt to as it happens. Let's not forget the MLB Press Passes as well (see Redbirds Fun soon.). As a friendly reminder, if you like the work that i do, please consider making a donation via paypal.

The big question is: Will Barry Bonds retire? And if he does indeed retire, do you think he is worthy of joining the Hall of Fame?

In Red Sox news, they have the best record out there since the start of 2003 according to the game notes from last Wednesday. Manager Terry Francona has over 200 wins while managing Boston. David Wells picked up the loss on Wednesday while Mohr, David Ortiz and Wily Mo Pena hit out of the yard. Matt Clement picked up the loss on Thursday as David Ortiz went yard again. On Friday, the Sox won 2-1 as Curt Schilling moves to 3-0 on the season. On Saturday, they lost and Tim Wakefield picked up the loss. Jon Papelbon has recorded six saves this month, and he ties a record among Red Sox rookies in any calendar month.

WAVE-3 picked up several broadcast awards.

Sen. Bayh stresses unity.

KAPT had several victories during the 2006 legislative session. Go here to see which of Jonathan Miller's initiatives passed. Here's more on the legislature.

NH State Rep. Peter Sullivan has pledged to run a clean campaign. Speaking of NH, another article on the election status in 2008.

Are comedy teams a lost art?

I missed Evan Bayh on This Week. I hear the two Indiana senators are split on ol' Donald. The national party may want to focus on Indiana.

The President will not fire Donald Rumsfeld.

Gen. Clark did visit Elizabethtown.

Neil Young takes on the president in a new song.

Here it is, your moment of zen.

Pesach Open Thread

Have a safe, healthy, happy, and kosher Pesach! I will not have access to the computer this weekend as I will be observing the mitzvot of Pesach.

Too my Jewish readers (why are you reading this? You should be getting ready for the Seders!):
I got this in the latest Chabad email and I have changed the times to reflect Louisville time.

The search for Chametz is Tuesday night, April 11th after 8:47.

Chametz may be eaten until 11:32 a.m. Wednesday, April 12th

Chametz must be burnt or sold before 12:37 p.m. Wednesday

Before 11:41 one must declare "All Chametz (leavening or leavened products) in my possession are hereby null, void, and without owner like the dust of the earth"

Pesach extends from the night of April 12th through April 20 at 9:04 p.m. April 13th, 14th, 19th, and 20th are holidays.

Candles should be lit at 7:57 p.m.

To my non-Jewish readers:
See ya Saturday night or Sunday afternoon!!

Getting every thing in now

I am almost on my way home for the holiday which means no blog til Saturday night or Sunday afternoon at the earliest. There is nothing like packing to the sounds of Matisyahu, Paul McCartney, and the Who. And doing all that on an empty stomach.

Ariel Sharon is "permanently incapacitated."

Interesting development at the Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

About a dozen pledges and current members of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology chapter of Alpha Epsilon Phi, the nation’s oldest Jewish sorority, have de-affiliated. According to Elizabeth Katcoff, an MIT sophomore who is the sorority’s vice president of recruitment, most of these young women didn’t realize they were joining a Jewish sorority. They were not told about it during recruitment, she says.

When chapter officials explained the sorority’s history at a February meeting, the exodus occurred.

The chapter is recruiting again, and has a new pledge class of five students, four of whom are Jewish. Bonnie Wunsch, the sorority’s national executive director, says the sorority is open to anyone regardless of religion, but is committed to its Jewish orientation.

There is an interesting article in the Jerusalem Post regarding the reevaluation of Birthright Israel. Ever since spring 2004 (before that actually, but that was the first time that I was elgible to do so), I keep wanting to Eretz Yisrael, the home of my ancestors if you go back to Biblical times (I have it on record that I do descend from Aaron, but I am not a Kohen or a Levite since it comes from patrilineal desecent). The reasons that I have not gone yet is because I was have a summer class or work. The case this year being that I did not get the $250 deposit in time and a passport. If things go well, I expect to go this winter or the winter after that since I expect to be taking classes next summer to get out on time.

Terrified that American Jewish college students were forgetting they were Jewish, Yossi Beilin gave birth to an idea. Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt, two US Jewish philanthropists, adopted it. They determined that it was every Jewish child's "birthright" to come to Israel; thus, the name of the project, which has become the new "savior" of the North American Jewish community.

Thousands of college-age youth have come here since the beginning of birthright israel. The slogan of this dramatic effort is: "It's free. That's right; Israel is 'on-the-house,' Judaism is 'for sale.'"

It's called outreach. If you are an unaffiliated Jew, never having been active in Jewish life, you are rewarded. It is your "birthright" to come to your homeland.

BIRTHRIGHT enthusiasts would be well advised to read the biblical story of Jacob and Esau. Esau gave up his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil soup. But Jacob's mere acquisition of the birthright did not give him entitlement to it. It was only after years of struggling, whereby he served his uncle Laban as little more than a slave for 21 years that he ultimately earned the name Israel, legitimately inheriting the birthright (Genesis 32:25-29).

Tom Daschle backs penalties for illegal immigrants.

This shows that musicians care about the communities that they perform in.

The Boston Red Sox are now 6-1. Josh Beckett got the win. Papelbon, his fourth save this season. David Ortiz hit his second home run this season.

Have I mentioned this yet?

An album of previously unheard BEATLES recordings will be released this summer, thirty-six years after the band's breakup. The project will be supervised by PAUL McCARTNEY and RINGO STARR, with the release slated to coincide with a Las Vegas Beatles-themed Cirque de Soleil show. The circus, renowned for their creative acrobatics and set designs, have had unprecedented access to the heavily guarded Beatles catalog, and the show will feature music from the upcoming release. McCartney and Starr -- along with JOHN LENNON's widow YOKO ONO and GEORGE HARRISON's widow OLIVIA -- are collaborating on the production, which will replace SIEGFRIED AND ROY's longstanding act at the Mirage Hotel and Casino.

Be right back...

Open Thread

C.E. and B.C.E not recognized by Republican Gov. Fletcher. It's not surprising given his attack on the ADL.

However, in a meeting yesterday, board members decided to supplement the traditional dating method with C.E., or Common Era, and B.C.E., Before Common Era.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher had weighed in on the issue, saying he opposed dropping the traditional system for describing historical.[...]

Lisa Gross, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Department of Education, said a draft of a revamped, 600-page guidebook for teachers does recommend the change. However, a final version would propose using all four acronyms.

Gross said C.E. and B.C.E. are coming into wider use, and Kentucky students need to know what they mean in case they encounter them on college placement tests.

"We wanted to make sure kids are exposed to those terms," Gross said. "They’re becoming more widespread."

As a Jew, I've been raising using Common Era and Before Common Era. I can go on and on about this but, for your sake, I will not.

Here's more...

Question for the Readers

How many of our legislators who favored putting up the Ten Commandments on public property actually watched the remake of The Ten Commandments?

Just because I am in the holiday spirit Despite the fact that Shavuot is not for another 52 days or so, here is a list to all 613 positive and negative mitzvot. Scroll down to 112 for the Pesach laws.

Have you cleaned yet?

I just finished cleaning, now it's only a matter of throwing everything out before I head to lunch.

SNL will air "The Best of TV Funhouse" on April 29, 2006. Now, why couldn't they do that this weekend?

President Bush, not meaning to attack his vice president, is glad that VP Cheney is not running for president in 2008.

Republicans want Katherine Harris out of the Florida Senate race. I honestly don't know how I feel about this. It's their party and elections are what democracy is all about.

Daily Show producer Ben Karlin was spotted recently in Madison, Wisconsin, giving advice and talking about humor. Who know that "The Onion" would be a reason for people to go to Wisconsin?

Dan Aykroyd was recently interviewed by 24 Hours.

Former Senate majority Leader Tom Daschle has called for strategic redeployment of the troops currently serving in Iraq.

Sen. Bayh calls for more funding of the United States Small Business Administration.

Josh Beckett gets the start today for the Red Sox home opener.

That's all for now as I have a long day of meetings, class, and work, and choosing what my last meal before Pesach shall be.

Almost time of year...

It's almost my favorite time of the year when I go without blogging for much of the week and go on the Atkins diet for Jews. Yep, Pesach time is here again come Wednesday.

A reminder:
I got this in the latest Chabad email and I have changed the times to reflect Louisville time.

The search for Chametz is Tuesday night, April 11th after 8:47.

Chametz may be eaten until 11:32 a.m. Wednesday, April 12th

Chametz must be burnt or sold before 12:37 p.m. Wednesday

Before 11:41 one must declare "All Chametz (leavening or leavened products) in my possession are hereby null, void, and without owner like the dust of the earth"

Pesach extends from the night of April 12th through April 20 at 9:04 p.m. April 13th, 14th, 19th, and 20th are holidays.

Candles should be lit at 7:57 p.m.

Did anyone catch part one of the remake of The Ten Commandments on ABC tonight? You want to know my thoughts? As much as I like watching films related to my religion, I prefer the NBC miniseries from 2000 called In the Beginning.

Well, that was bad...

I'm still recovering from the worst weekend in baseball. The Cards are not supposed to be swept by the Cubs. The Cubs know their place...dead last in the NL Central. How they swept my Cards is beyond belief. Don't even consider rubbing it in, Corey.

Republicans are trying to change the blue-dog image of Sheriff Brad Ellsworth, a candidate for Congress from our neighboring state of Indiana. The GOP will not get away with this move.

The Wildcats beat Florida in baseball yesterday with a score of 8-6. Kentucky is ranked 23 and Florida is ranked 19. Kentucky took two out of three from Florida. The wins were the first for Coach John Cohen against the Gators.

Michigan Democrats gathered this weekend in Detroit for the Jefferson-Jackson dinner and they were able to hear Sen. Evan Bayh.

If I read this correctly, Rachel Dratch will stand in for Jean Schmidt in a OH-2 debate.

So when Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, refused to debate her primary challenger recently, they went for the next best thing — Rachel Dratch, the comedian who portrayed the representative in a Saturday Night Live skit last year.

Schmidt is the congresswoman who referred to Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., a decorated Vietnam veteran, as a "coward."

The debate, sponsored by the Anderson Township Republican Club, is set for April 19, so the members are eagerly awaiting a reply from NBC officials.

If Dratch accepts and performs capably, voters may want Schmidt to skip the election as well.

Israelpalooza went down recently at IU, or as my friends call it I-Jew.

I have no idea if this is fact or not but if it is indeed true, that's a new Beatles CD to purchase.

In the year 2007, the gubernatorial contest is wide open but I still say let's focus on the midterm elections.

Mark Warner will raise money in Tennessee for senate candidate and current congressman, Harold Ford Jr.

Arnold Eisen will become the second non-Rabbi to serve as chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary.

This just in!

I have secured tickets to Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati to see my beloved St. Louis Cardinals play on May 2, 2006, at 12:35 PM Eastern. It may not be Busch but it's the best I can do for now.

Afternoon news...

I just got back in from work within the hour so let's get down to business. There will be very light blogging this week in order to work on academic priorities before the holiday starts Wednesday.

Former Sen. John Edwards was busy in Iowa this past weekend.

The University of Kentucky Wildcats were unable to take care of the Florida Gators on Saturday and lost 6-4.

Claude Sullivan is being inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame. He was only 42 when he died in 1967.

Sen. Bayh stays quiet on the leak.

An interesting article on The Daily Show's Rob Corddry.

The Boston Red Sox move to 5-1 this season. Tim Wakefield (1-1) picks up the win and Jonathan Papelbon picks up a save. This is Papelbon's third save of the season. This is Boston's best start since the 1999 season when they started 6-0. Today in Red Sox history marks the anniversary of the first game at Fenway Park in 1912. After an off day tomorrow, Josh Beckett will make his Fenway Park debut on Tuesday.

Antonio Banderas hosts Saturday Night Live

Actor Antonio Banderas, starring in Take the Lead host the show this evening with musical guest Mary J. Blige. After a night of reruns, this should be a nice late night.

Cold Open: Anderson Cooper 360 with Seth Meyers. Immigration issue discussed with Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo (Jason Sudeikis). He talks about Jobs. Vincente Fox (Antonio Banderas) appears and talks about the borders and American spring breaks. Cynthia McKinney (Kenan Thompson) appears to talk about the incident this past week. Live from New York, it's Seth Meyers.

Monologue: He thanks people in English and Spanish. Deportated? The truth is that Antonio Banderas is a woman and you can call him Lupita.

Basic Instinct 2 - The Return of the Beaver: Amy Poehler as Sharon Stone and Will Forte as a detective. One of the taglines is "more hair pie." There is some sort of story. I think Parnell is the narrator of the trailer.

Deal or No Deal: FA as Howie Mandel. I've been wondering when this sketch would be on. Antonio Banderas is Robert Lopez. He picks 50 but that's not a brief case. He then picks briefcase number 4 and starts to open it before Fred Armisen closes it. Amy Poehler speaks up. Kristen Wiig does too. Both play the girls holding the cases. Horatio Sanz, Rachel Dratch, and Finesse Mitchell play his friends. Fred gets confused and says "Stay tuned for No Deal or Deal."

RD and AB are in some sort of sketch dealing with food. Rachel Dratch plays Julie, a voice recorder for airlines. Antonio Banderas is a CPA named Alberto. Fred Armisen is Juan, a translator.

Besos Y Lagrimas: Antonio Banderas, Fred Armisen, and Kristen Wiig are in some sort of Telemundo show. HS and RD in the sketch too. CP unveils the picture of AB.

Next week, Lindsay Lohan with musical guest Pearl Jam despite the fact that there are quite a few Jewish writers and two Jewish cast members, there is still a new show next Saturday night. Does Lindsay have anything coming out to merit her hosting again? Okay, after checking, she is in Just My Luck due out in May but I will never see another LL film as long as I live. You wonder why? You really want to know? Because of a film that should not be made and is a DISGRACE to the late Beatle John Lennon!

13th Annual Women's Basketball Coaches Fashion Awards: Hosted by Adrian Sanchez (Antonio Banderas). He presents the awards. Jan Franks of the St. Louis LadyHawks (RD) wins a best skirt-above-knee squat. Antonio Banderas sings a lot of songs in this sketch. Keeping an argument: Tina Fey and Kristen Wiig. Vanguard for Courage and Style: Amy Poehler (Mac Genovese).

Musical Guest

WU: Immigration is debated. Tom Delay resigns. Let's look back at his career in Congress. Bush threw first pitch at GAB and 18 Iraqis killed. McClellan may leave? Katie Couric moving to NBC. Dan Rather (Darrell Hammond) comments on it. He laughed for ten whole minutes. Young intercourse? Hog dogging outlawed? Meredith Vieira will be paid $40 million to host Today on NBC. McKinney. Finesse comments on it. Tom Cruise. I've had enough of Tom Cruise. Barbara Walters denies claim. Lisby Canyons? Paula Abdul altercation at a party? Chad Michael Murray engaged and talks about his love life. That's actually Will Forte. Pesach. There's a joke about the killing of the first-born. Coca Cola Blak. The missing link of reptiles and fish. Migrating tree frogs. Chris Kattan makes a cameo appearance. Chris forgot about Mango and said that Antonio was his most famous character.

Zorro: Antonio Banderas as Zorro. Amy Poehler as Catherine Zeta-Jones. Seth is a director named Gary. They are filming a scene. Antonio Banderas is concerned about the avian bird flu and herpes. Horatio Sanz is the stand-in.

Rascals: Karaoke with Will Forte (Frank) singing American Pie. Amy Poehler (MJ Reynolds) hosting. Antonio Banderas and Rachel Dratch are a couple. Rachel Dratch is Pam. Antonio Banderas is Paul. Pam sings Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman." Amy Poehler decides to sing with her and starts seducing Antonio Banderas. Who is that old guy in there? AB starts singing. RD wants to go again. Amy Poehler and Antonio Banderas start making out. Chris Parnell is MaryAnn's husband and says "screw you." Apparently, they made up with each other by singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

Immigration Debate: Chris Parnell, Amy Poehler, Jason Sudeikis, and Antonio Banderas are in a sketch where they argue over Mexicans taking away our jobs. Jason argues that Antonio is not Mexican and that they are racist. They walk away as Horatio Sanz and Fred Armisen show up to talk about the plan.

Musical Guest

Wine scene: CP, AP, AB drinking wine. Good thing that they saved this to the end in the case that is actual wine and that they are getting drunk. Now, that's a giant drink.

Maya Rudolph did not appear in this episode.

Cards lose again

It is not a good day when St. Louis loses to Chicago. The Cards were winning until the bullpen came in to the game. With two outs in the top of the ninth, who else but Juan Encarnacion is brought in to pinch hit. Note to Coach Tony La Russa, expect Juan to be the player that the fans don't want into the game.

Stan "The Man" Musial finds his place at the new Busch Stadium.

Brad Thompson picked up the loss after giving up a home run to Derrek Lee.

At 11:00 AM eastern, the new Busch Stadium will have it's formal dedication featuring Bill DeWitt Jr., Mark Lamping, Bill DeWitt III, Red Schoendienst, Stan "The Man" Musial, Gov. Matt Blunt, Mayor Francis Slay, and Charlie Dooley.

Post Dispatch quotes TLR on Juan Encarnacion.

Late Night Update

A TV Station at Syracuse is back on the air. Syracuse's most famous alumnus is most likely St. Louis Cardinal fan Bob Costas.

A Second City alumnus is now a member of the band Misbehavin's.

Sen. Ted Kennedy is writing a book.

Al Franken brought his political humor to Durham, NC. Don't remind me who else is in Durham...

Anyone going to Toronto this summer? Anyone other than the two Cardinals fans that are behind all that is known as Redbirds Fun?

If I read this correctly, State Treasurer Jonathan Miller will be at Science Fun Day.

Boston won today by a score of 2-1. Curt Schilling picked up his second win of the season. Jonathan Papelbon picked up his second save this year.

UK-Florida in baseball

Centerfielder Antone DeJesus of the Kentucky Wildcats baseball team has hit 9 foul balls in one at bat. The count is 2-2. After 15 pitches or so, DeJesus got a double.

The Wildcats lead 2-0 in the bottom of the first.

From the Kentucky Sports Report:

Records
Kentucky - 23-7, 5-4 SEC
Florida - 19-14, 3-6 SEC

Rankings
Kentucky – No. 23 Baseball America
Florida - No. 19 USA Today/ESPN

Schedule (times Eastern)
Lexington, Ky. (Cliff Hagan Stadium – 3,000)
Friday, April 7 vs. Florida 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 8 vs. Florida 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 9 vs. Florida 1 p.m.

Radio
Friday – WLAP 630-AM in Lexington
Saturday – WXRA 1580-AM in Lexington
Sunday – WXRA 1580-AM in Lexington

Television
Friday – Big Blue Sports Network (UPN in Lexington; FSN in selected markets)
Saturday – Big Blue Sports Network (UPN in Lexington; FSN in selected markets)

Severe Weather Alert

Again...

Light blogging this weekend

I will be light blogging this weekend mainly because of two Cardinal games on television, work, and academic priorities.

So guess who pitches for the Mets this Tuesday when the Nationals open RFK Stadium? None other than Pedro Martinez. I expect there to be some booing when he is introduced to the crowd. I watched last night's ESPN game while switching back and forth between that and the Reds game (I'd much rather watch the Cardinals). One of the times I flipped over was when Sean Casey had his first at bat since being traded away from the Reds. He had a nice standing ovation, unlike whenever Scott Rolen returns to Philadelphia.

Former VA Gov. Mark Warner visits Missouri this weekend. I hope he isn't having any activities during today's game or tomorrow's afternoon game.

Here's a preview of today's UK-Florida baseball game at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Today's game is on FSN South.

Evan Bayh has introduced some legislation dealing with workers.

The folks at DraftMarkWarner are now an official PAC.

SNL now has some not so serious competition.

The EU has done some good by cutting off aid to the PA.

The Boston Red Sox are 2-1 as they face the Baltimore Orioles today. Matt Clement takes the start. Josh Beckett picked up the win yesterday as the Sox won 2-1.

I will be liveblogging today's Cardinal-Cubs game over at Redbirds Fun starting at 2 PM eastern.

So sad :(

Army women's basketball coach Maggie Dixon, sister of Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball coach Jamie Dixon, has died at the young age of 28. My condolences go out to her family and those that played for her.

• In first season at Army, led team to first NCAA Tournament
• Army was 20-11 in 2005-06; first 20-win season since 1990-91
• Army won first Patriot League Conference Tournament championship in 2005-06
• Named seventh coach of Army women's basketball in 2005
• Spent previous five seasons as an assistant coach at DePaul (2001-05)
• Four-year letter-winner and 1999 graduate of San Diego
• Brother is Pittsburgh men's coach Jamie Dixon

The following is a statement released by Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon:

"Maggie touched so many people beyond basketball. Our family has received an outpouring of sympathy from across the country and we are deeply appreciative. As her older brother I know she looked up to me. But I always looked up to her, too, and it’s obvious that a lot of other people did as well. We thank everyone for their continued support and prayers."

Late Night Thread

My BaseballBias.com article is now up. Please check it out and Baseball Bias in general.

Yes, my readers, I can be a sportswriter, too! In fact, if I don't do comedy or politics, sportscasting is another alternative.

What on earth?

If this is the case, then please sign me up as someone who believes their should be an impeachment of the president. It was published in the New York Sun. I'm still digesting this information as I await to register for classes this fall.

former White House aide under indictment for obstructing a leak probe, I. Lewis Libby, testified to a grand jury that he gave information from a closely-guarded "National Intelligence Estimate" on Iraq to a New York Times reporter in 2003 with the specific permission of President Bush, according to a new court filing from the special prosecutor in the case.

The court papers from the prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, do not suggest that Mr. Bush violated any law or rule. However, the new disclosure could be awkward for the president because it places him, for the first time, directly in a chain of events that led to a meeting where prosecutors contend the identity of a CIA employee, Valerie Plame, was provided to a reporter.

If I recall, the president said he would fire the people involved in the leakage.

Making this quick...

Well, after half an hour of trying to load the site, I was finally able to load the create post page.

UK beat Louisville in baseball yesterday. In other UK news, Adam Williams has announced his intention to transfer from UK.

Apparently, Lane Stadium in Virginia is a popular place for campaigning.

Savvy politicians have known this for years. For example, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, George Allen, and Jerry Kilgore don't agree on all political issues, but they've all told me one of their most effective campaign tools is working the Lane Stadium lots before an October football game in Blacksburg.

Peter Gabriel is teaming up with Sen. Mitch McConnell? Eric Clapton will perform in Moscow's Red Square. See here for more.

Was John McCain on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart the other day? Yes, he most definitely was.

One write-up calls Free Zone an "emotional oasis."

That's all for now. Lunch and then it's time to register.

Blogging a lot today

I would have blogged sooner on here but there was a game on TV which required my attention and I live-blogged it. Now if you excuse me, I have a lot of emails to go through and clean up my inbox so that I can get the blog done today.

I got this in the latest Chabad email and I have changed the times to reflect Louisville time.

The search for Chametz is Tuesday night, April 11th after 8:47.

Chametz may be eaten until 11:32 a.m. Wednesday, April 12th

Chametz must be burnt or sold before 12:37 a.m. Wednesday

Before 11:41 one must declare "All Chametz (leavening or leavened products) in my possession are hereby null, void, and without owner like the dust of the earth"

Pesach extends from the night of April 12th through April 20 at 9:04 p.m. April 13th, 14th, 19th, and 20th are holidays.

A reminder about the 3rd District debate on Thursday at Masterson's. It should be a fun time.

Apparently, there was a Jewish abolitionist who fought along side John Brown.

New Hampshire State Rep. Peter Sullivan will be participating in two Federal Dynamic Congressional Candidates Forum events.

Oh, man. This is bad. How can people be so unpatriotic?

The Boston Red Sox won their season opener this past Monday. Mike Lowell and David Ortiz hit home runs in that game. The Red Sox lost their second game on Tuesday. Josh Beckett picked up the win today as Trot Nixon hits his first home run of the season.

Two NBC stations rejected MoveOn ads. In the same article, a few Senators and candidates discuss national security. I've not endorsed Bob Casey, Jr. in that race though I believe it is likely that he will win the nomination though.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, the New York lawmaker who heads the Democrats' Senate campaign committee, said Bush and the Republicans are weak enough in the polls that they won't be able to campaign as effectively on national security as they did in 2002 and 2004.

Schumer and Democratic Senate challengers Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Jim Peterson of Arizona and Rep. Sherrod Brown of Ohio said Democrats will be able to use national security as a campaign issue. That's critical for Democrats, said Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh.

"If people don't trust us with their lives, they're unlikely to trust us with much else," Bayh said. "This administration has been a lot better at national security politics than it has on national security policies."

Bayh described the message of Bush's political adviser Karl Rove as: "We're strong, the Democrats are weak. Vote for us, or you will die."

Will John McCain stay neutral in Virginia if former Navy Secy. James Webb wins the nomination?

Former Navy Secretary James Webb, one of McCain’s “oldest friends,” is vying for the Democratic nomination to take on Allen in his reelection bid this November. Although Webb must first get past lobbyist Harris Miller in the Democratic primary, political analysts say his candidacy could end up hampering Allen’s presidential aspirations and bolstering McCain’s.

“Party activists expect a presidential contender to have strong home support, and if Webb (or Miller) could even come close to Allen in 2006, the results would raise questions about Allen’s own base,” said Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. “Indirectly, any weakening of Allen would help McCain, and some other GOP presidential candidates.”

Despite the longtime friendship between McCain and Webb, a former Republican, the Arizona senator said he is backing Allen. Even so, in an interview outside the Senate chamber last week, McCain called Webb “a war hero” and “a great patriot.”

Last year, McCain went even further. “Jim Webb is one of my oldest friends,” McCain said in a March 2005 speech to the American Ireland Fund’s 13th National Gala, according to a transcript posted on his Senate website. Webb, who is of Irish ancestry, had just introduced McCain, who was receiving an award.

The two were among the subjects profiled in Robert Timberg’s 1995 book The Nightingale’s Song, tracing the careers of five Naval Academy graduates and Vietnam veterans. Iran-Contra scandal figures Oliver North, John Poindexter and Bud McFarlane were the others.

I guess John McCain will not stay neutral in the race.

Paul McCartney on the Peter and Gordon reunion:

What the world needs now is Peter & Gordon to sing their songs and remind us all of the fab years they are from.

I’m very glad to hear that they have got together after these many moons and are going to help to make a world without love into a love-filled planet.

- Paul McCartney

SNLhas announced their April lineup. Why do they have a new show on April 15th when the seders start on Wednesday? Furthermore, why is ABC airing the classic version of The Ten Commandments on a Saturday night rather than the traditional Sunday night?

What you don't know about Rob Corddry...

Yep, "Red Scare" gets reviewed. Well the Denver version anyway.

Yes, it is a problem on college campuses.

On Monday, there were several people unhappy in St. Louis with regards to the NCAA Championship game. Speaking of CBS, they have finally found a permanent evening news replacement in NBC's Katie Couric. It took them a bit over a year and a month to do so.

Rajon Rondo has entered his name in the draft.

The Bradley Braves finished #24 in the final ESPN/USA Today poll.

Natalie Portman researched her grandparents when it came to the film role in V for Vendetta.

Is 2008 the year of Chris Dodd? He is considering a run for president in 2008.

Dodd, meanwhile, predicted that his colleague Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., will turn back his Democratic primary challenge from Ned Lamont, who is taking sharp aim at Lieberman's support of the Iraq war.

"He prevails in all of this," Dodd said of Lieberman. "But it will make the next 18 weeks uncomfortable ... He's gotta pay attention to it, and he is."

Gen. Wes Clark recently stumped on the trail for Rep. Mike Weaver.

Graham Nash and David Cosby made a surprise appearance on David Gilmour's tour.

Rolling Stone handicaps the 2008 race.

Back later...

I've been busy all afternoon but I should be back in time for the St. Louis-Philly game and I expect to live-blog that on Redbirds Fun.

Long Day on Tuesday!

There will be days like the one I am finishing up within the next twenty minutes or so when I will not be able to blog due to academic priorities like this paper in my science class on the expansion of the Lunken Airport in southeastern Cincinnati.

In any event, I will always update Redbirds Fun, even on off days as that blog does not take as much effort as this one. Plus, it's a team blog as well.

Apparently, the Reds stink. But I've got Redbird Fever and I know we're the best.

2006 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Results

WASHINGTON REGIONAL
First Round
Wichita State 86, Seton Hall 66
Tennessee 63, Winthrop 61
Illinois 78, Air Force 69
Washington 75, Utah State 61
George Mason 75, Michigan State 65
North Carolina 69, Murray State 65
Connecticut 72, Albany, N.Y. 59
Kentucky 69, UAB 64

Second Round
Wichita State 80, Tennessee 73
Washington 67, Illinois 64
George Mason 65, North Carolina 60
Connecticutt 87, Kentucky 83

Regional Semifinals
Connecticut 98, Washington 92
George Mason 63, Wichita State 55

Regional Final
George Mason 86, UConn 84

ATLANTA REGIONAL
First Round
George Washington 88, North Carolina-Wilmington 85
Duke 70, Southern University 54
LSU 80, Iona 64
Texas A&M 66, Syracuse 58
N.C. State 58, California 52
Texas 60, Pennsylvania 52
Northwestern State 64, Iowa 63
West Virginia 64, Southern Illinois 46

Second Round
Duke 74, George Washington 61
LSU 58, Texas A&M 57
West Virginia 67, Northwestern State 54
Texas 75, North Carolina State 54

Regional Semifinals
LSU 62, Duke 54
Texas 74, West Virginia 71

Regional Final
LSU 70, Texas 60

MINNEAPOLIS REGIONAL
First Round
Florida 76, South Alabama 50
Wisconsin-Milwaukee 82, Oklahoma 74
Boston College 88, Pacific 76
Montana 87, Nevada 79
Ohio State 70, Davidson 62
Georgetown 54, Northern Iowa 49
Villanova 58, Monmouth, N.J 45
Arizona 94, Wisconsin 75

Second Round
Florida 82, Wisconsin-Milwaukee 60
Boston College 69, Montana 56
Georgetown 70, Ohio State 52
Villanova 82, Arizona 78

Regional Semifinals
Villanova 60, Boston College 59
Florida 57, Georgetown 53

Regional Final
Florida 75, Villanova 62

OAKLAND REGIONAL
First Round
Gonzaga 79, Xavier 75
Indiana 87, San Diego State 83
UCLA 78, Belmont 44
Alabama 90, Marquette 85
Memphis 94, Oral Roberts 78
Bucknell 59, Arkansas 55
Bradley 74, Kansas 73
Pittsburgh 79, Kent State 64

Second Round
Gonzaga 90, Indiana 80
UCLA 62, Alabama 59
Bradley 72, Pittsburgh 66
Memphis 72, Bucknell 56

Regional Semifinals
Memphis 80, Bradley 64
UCLA 73, Gonzaga 71

Regional Final
UCLA 50, Memphis 45

Final Four
Florida 73, George Mason 58
UCLA 59, LSU 45

Championship
Florida 73, UCLA 57

We'll see ya again this fall. Again, my sincere congratulations to Coach Billy Donovan of the Florida Gators. I knew he could do it after he won more than two games in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000.

CNN reports that Tom Delay may withdraw from race

CNN is reporting the following on their website as breaking news:

Tom DeLay will drop out of his re-election race, two Republican congressional sources tell CNN.

NCAA Championship

NCAA Championship Game in Indianapolis, IN
Florida 73, UCLA 57

Mazel tov to Billy Donovan with his first ever championship. He has rebuilt the Florida program since arriving from Marshall. Florida has finally accomplished what they should have in 2000 against Michigan State.

In other basketball news, John Clay reports that Rajon Rondo will announce his intentions tomorrow.

UK has called a press conference for 1 p.m. Tuesday in which sophomore guard Rajon Rondo will announce his intentions regarding the NBA draft. UK coach Tubby Smith, who is in Indianapolis at the Final Four, will also be on hand for the announcement.

Will he stay or will he go?

Also, former Kentucky assistant and current Tennessee Tech Head Coach Mike Sutton has recieved the Most Courageous Award in which he gave a shout out to current University of Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith.

In fact, said Sutton, "The most courageous guy in this room is Tubby Smith for showing up in front of this many writers."

Tubby laughed and nodded his head as if to say, "You got that right."

RIP: Barry Bingham, Jr.

C-J Obit

May he rest in peace.

Baseball is here, College Basketball is ending

And what's more un-American than 174 minutes of a rain delay on Opening Day between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians?!?

Sen. Evan Bayh on the immigration debate.

But Sen. Evan Bayh, an Indiana Democrat, told CNN the country must "find a way, without rewarding violating the law, to bring [illegal immigrants] out of the shadows, impose fines, criminal background checks, paying back taxes, learning English, those kinds of things. ... But then have some kind of regular status here. Because the truth is that's in our national security interest, too."

From the John Yarmuth for Congress campaign:

We hope you can attend a Third Congressional District debate sponsored by the Women Vote 2006 Coalition on Thursday, April 6, 2006, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Masterson’s (1830 South Third Street, just north of the UofL campus). Tickets are not required, but seating is available on a first come, first served basis so make sure to come out early to ensure that you do not miss any of the debate as we are anticipating a large crowd.

Despite the bad weather, fans filled Monument Circle for Hoosier rocker John Mellencamp. I wish I would have been there. Mellencamp is one of my favorite musicians.

Underwood enthusiast Lesley Knox and Mellencamp fan Donna McDaniel said they arrived there after waiting at the intersection of Meridian and Washington streets from 8 a.m. until security personnel opened the gates at 1:30 p.m.

"I watched Carrie on American Idol, and I love her new CD," said Knox, a 28-year-old resident of Indianapolis. "This is the only time to see her in a free concert."

McDaniel’s devotion to Hoosier rocker John Mellencamp, the headliner for Monday night's concert, inspired her to spend $3,000 to purchase an autographed guitar in a post-Hurricane Katrina benefit auction.

What was wrong with that article? Just look at the bold letters!

Andy Samberg is hitting up the big screen to star in Hot Rod. He'll be joined by Jorma Taccone in the cast. Akiva Schaffer will direct the film written by Pam Brady.

Another write-up on the concert.

A strong rain fell 45 minutes into Mellencamp's hourlong concert, arriving during a rendition of 1983 single "Crumblin' Down."

Dry skies returned for closing number "Pink Houses," and fireworks shot all around the Soldiers and Sailors Monument to punctuate the moment.

Evan Bayh trades it up with the AFL-CIO today.

Ted Kennedy showed his Boston humor today in my hometown of Louisville.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, a long-serving liberal and harsh critic of President Bush, visited Louisville Monday as the guest of Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, who called Kennedy, "my friend."

"I don't know who was more surprised - me getting the invitation to come here, or Mitch when I answered I would come here," Kennedy said to laughter.

McConnell, the Senate's majority whip, called Kennedy, the brother of former President Kennedy, "one of the giants of American politics over the past half-century."

Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, prodded McConnell about the upcoming congressional elections. Republicans control both the House and Senate.

"I used to be the majority whip, back in the last century," Kennedy told McConnell, who took over the leadership post in 2002. "I told (McConnell) to enjoy it, all the way to November."

The Fix has a piece on Sen. Bayh today.

Last but not least, the Boston Red Sox start their season today at Ameriquest Field in Arlington as they face the Rangers. This is the second time that the two teams have faced each other on opening day. The Rangers won 5-3 in 1996. Curt Schilling takes the start against Kevin Millwood. Jason Varitek will set a club record today when he starts his 7th season opener as catcher. Varitek is joined by David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez as the only players from the 2005 Opening Day line-up to start today. All Red Sox games are broadcast on 850 WEEI AM and the Red Sox Radio network.

Severe Weather Alert

Weather.com shows that the National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 4 a.m. in the Cincy area.

IN KENTUCKY THIS WATCH INCLUDES 12 COUNTIES:
IN NORTHEAST KENTUCKY
LEWIS, MASON

IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY
BOONE, BRACKEN, CAMPBELL, CARROLL, GALLATIN, GRANT, KENTON, OWEN, PENDLETON, ROBERTSON

Worth reposting...

This was a comment by New Hampshire State Rep. Peter Sullivan on the blog with regards to the first-in-the-nation status of New Hampshire.

Actually, Manchester has a larger Latino population (percentage-wise) than Cleveland, Detroit and several other cities seen as "diverse". New Hampshire has booming Dominican, Bosnian, Sudanese and Indian communities. The old canard about it being lilly-white isn't as accurate as opponents of the primary would have you believe.

It's also important to remember that NH is a heavily suburban and exurban state. Where have the Democrats had the greatest difficulty over the last two cycles? The suburbs and exurbs. If a prospective Democratic nominee can demonstrate an appeal to the independent, suburban, middle class electorate in southern NH, he or she also stands to do well in places like northern Virginia, the Triangle in North Carolina, greater Phoenix, and the Denver suburbs.
Peter Sullivan | Homepage | 03.28.06 - 1:08 pm | #

For what it's worth, Sen. Feingold also supports the first in the nation status for New Hampshire.

I am appallled by the recent article that appeared in the Huffington Post. It is a disgrace and an unfair attack on Sen. Evan Bayh. Furthermore, I've been told that the site censors and edits comments by users.

Clearing the Bases...

Light posting since Thursday means a heck of a load of news to get through. As always, St. Louis Cardinals news will be posted over at Redbirds Fun. Pretty much, the only baseball news posted here for now on will be Red Sox related unless it's big news such as Kris and Anna Benson getting a divorce.

John Lynch praised but did not endorse Evan Bayh.

Gen. Wes Clark has endorsed James Webb for the US Senate in Virginia.

Paul McCartney joins Stevie Wonder for the title track on Wonder's new album, A Time to Love.

Jonah Brown has been elected as the next student government president at the University of Kentucky.

Jonathan Miller has some concerns with the budget proposed by the Senate.

I wonder how those to the left of me feel about Sen. Barack Obama feel about him now. Sen. Obama has thrown his support behind Sen. Joe Lieberman.

Some at Thursday's dinner said that while they were pleased with Lieberman's success in bringing Obama to Connecticut, they still consider Lieberman uncomfortably tolerant of the Bush administration.

Obama wasted little time getting to that point, calling it the "elephant in the room" but praising Lieberman's intellect, character and qualifications.

"The fact of the matter is, I know some in the party have differences with Joe. I'm going to go ahead and say it," Obama told the 1,700-plus party members who gathered in a ballroom at the Connecticut Convention Center for the $175-per-head fundraiser.

"I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf," he said.

Lieberman is the Senate mentor of Barack Obama.

Neil Young's concert film, Heart of Gold, is finally playing in Louisville. G-d willing, it's still playing in May.

Chevy Chase reveals all, including why the actor left SNL after the first season.

People have said for years that Chase left SNL after its first season for Los Angeles to pursue a movie career. The actor said that is false.

"The first real picture offered to me wasn't until two years after I left (SNL), as opposed to all those books that said he left for lucrative movie deals," Chase said. "I left to go get married. The girl I was marrying was going to L.A. and I followed her. I was the only one who didn't know she was bad for me."

Incidentally, Chase had nothing but kind things to say about Murray.

"Billy is so funny and he's a great guy, a good friend," Chase said.

I can't help but wonder about this. Matisyahu has yet to make an appearance on SNL and I think I know why.

Boston had a pathetic spring season. Going into Saturday, they were 9-18-1 in spring training.

Sen. Evan Bayh was on one of the Sunday talk shows today but I missed it. Perhaps he talked about this?

Folk rocker John Mellencamp is NOT on MySpace.

During an interview earlier this week, the 54-year-old rock star confirmed that he's never visited MySpace, the popular Web site that serves as a promotional tool for platinum-selling musicians, budding garage bands, Hollywood starlets and pin-up wannabes.

In a related note, Mellencamp promises impending improvements for his official online home, Mellencamp.com. There are plans to stream songs, videos and interview clips from throughout his career.

"It dawned on me that people don't want to go to the site and just read crap," he said. "We have this opportunity to make it our own little television and radio station. Let's do it."

Another review of the latest Second City show in Detroit.

Another focus on KY-3.