I Came Out on Top By the Luck of the Draw

Is it just me or does 2008 seem as though it is a long way off? I bet Dubya is thinking the same thing after this week.

The combination of Harriet Miers, "Scooter" Libby, and the 2,000th American death in Iraq have all come together at what could be a pivotal point in Bush's second term in office. I agree strongly with the journalist who wrote the NY Times that I have linked to on the subject of President Bush's political agility. One of the most striking points of Bush's presidency has been his commitment. For this, he is strongly praised by his supporters while his detractors label this as his penchant for being stubborn. Large-scale changes in the White House staff would be a move far out of character for this Administration.

How soon can the Cowboys sign this guy?

Here is a link to an interesting article in the Times about the convergence of Christianity and the marketplace.

Thoughts on a Friday:

• --I don't know if the Rangers will ever win the World Series.
• --In coffee, milk is always better than package creamer.
• --I can't wait for Sing Song.
• --I should be counseled for making the above statement.
• --The NY Times should discontinue the "Times Select" debacle. I want Kristof and Brooks for free.
• --The Ninjas will dominate the Knights in the Olympic Showdown of GSP Factions.
• --Fall is quickly becoming my favorite time of the year.
• --Vince Young needs to follow the example of Matt Leinart when making certain decisions in the spring.

The Change It Had to Come, We Knew It All Along

I'm surprised by this, but then again, I'm not. The nomination of Harriet Miers seemed half-hearted at best from the start and the support of the Bush Administration for its own nominee was never very strong, even in the face of widespread opposition. I would offer you, the reader, some sort of prognostication about who I think will be the next nominee, but so far the choices of the Bush Administration have been varied and unexpected.

In retrospect, John Roberts is an obvious choice, but he was only one of the members on a list of 10-12 potential nominees during the summer. If anyone out there has a strong inclination towards any of the names being mentioned please feel free to share your thoughts.



After seeing the White Sox win the World Series last night I am left in quite a dilemma. In the past two years the World Series has been captured by a team that experienced an 86-year gap between championships only to be followed the next year by a team that has not won the Fall Classic in 88 years. My question is this: Do the recent victories by the Red Sox and White Sox mean that the Cubs will end a 98-year drought next year or are the Baseball Gods the most cruel figures in the universe?

I'm not sure what the answer to that question is, but I know that Rangers fans have not suffered nearly long enough. 33 years? That's a mere blink of the eye.

They Decide and the Shotgun Sings the Song

Those of you who know me, realize that there is no love lost between myself and Wal-Mart. For that reason, I would love to bring you the latest offering from those geniuses at Jib-Jab entitled "Big-Box Mart", which can be found here.

On a more serious note, here a link to a trailer for a film by Robert Greenwald entitled Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price.

I really don't feel like writing anything original today so here is a link to the Sports' Guy latest installment of the world-renowned Mailbag.

It All Comes Down to Living Fast or Dying Slow

If my calculations are correct, this is the 1-year anniversary of my first foray into the world of Blogging. In an interesting coincidence, the Tom Petty song "Running Down a Dream" was playing at the Sonic my Dad and I had lunch at this past Friday as we were driving home from the deer lease. Things have a funny way of coming full circle.

By the numbers this is my 249th post in the past year, but this blog has meant so much more to me than simple numbers. It has been an avenue to so many other things. My parents have another means of knowing what is going on in my life and one that is often a better mode of communication than the telephone. Those of you who have talked to me on the phone can probably vouch for that one.

I have been able to stay in touch with friends from ACU who have graduated and gone from this place out into the wide world. People like Dan Carlson, Cody Blair, and Austin Henley may be far away but we have still been able to stay in touch through something as contrived as blogs.




Another interesting part of this experience has been its effect on my academic performance. It may seem odd, but I believe that I am a better writer because of the time that I have spent here during the past year. In order to post almost 250 times, I have forced myself to sit down, sort out my thoughts, organize them into logical groups and hope that those of you who read my musings on a daily basis will be engaged and changed on some level by what I have composed.

Looking back at the posts from the past year in the Archive, I have been struck by how much has changed in my life, but I have also recognized some of the constant threads such as God's faithfulness that will always run through my life. It has been a great ride and I cannot wait to see what happens next.


In other news, I have not seen many films so far this year that have really captured my imagination, but I am looking forward to Jarhead. Directed by Sam Mendes and starring Jake Gyllenhall, Jamie Foxx, and Chris Cooper, it is an adaptation of Anthony Swofford's book detailing his experiences in the USMC during the First Gulf War. I am looking forward to the film, but I must confess that what really grabbed me was Kanye West's "Jesus Walks" playing during the trailer. A great song for what appears to be an interesting film.

The Sun's Been Quite Kind While I Wrote This Song

Thomas Boswell has a great column today on what makes October one of my favorite months of the year.

In these past few years, it has been a great time to be a baseball fan. I'm not sure that there has ever been such an exciting run of postseasons as we have had since the turn of the century. The 2001 World Series between the Diamondbacks and the Evil Empire was one for the ages with multiple game-tying and game-winning homeruns on both sides completed by the D'Backs clinching the 7th game from one of the game's all-time greatest closers in Mariano Rivera.

2002 gave us an All-California Series between the Giants and the Angels. This was a fantastic series with the Giants almost clinching the championship in Game 6 only to lose their lead and the title in consecutive losses to the Halos. The only downside of this series was the rise of the pestilence known as "Thunder Stix." Let's just move on and act as if that never happened.

The 2003 Fall Classic featured the Marlins against the Evil Empire. For some reason, this series does not resonate with me for any reason. The only thing I can remember is Josh Beckett's masterful performance in Game 6 at the House that Ruth Built.

I do not need to remind everyone of the magic that occurred last October, but looking back, it was one of my favorite times to be a sports fan. Everyone was talking about the Sawx and their improbable return to glory after 86 years in Baseball Purgatory. This was the year that Big Papi became a Boston Demigod along with Larry Bird, Bobby Orr, and Adam Vinatieri.

For goodness sake, even Stephen King wrote a book about his experiences that year as a member of Red Sox nation.

This year is shaping up to be just as memorable with the 18-inning saga between the Astros and Braves, the return of the Fall Classic to the South Side of Chicago, and Mighty Albert single-handedly delaying the demolition of Busch Stadium. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Every Girl's Crazy 'Bout a Sharp Dressed Man

Just when I did not think that the NBA could push the unintentional level any higher, David Stern releases this gem. Maybe it is just me, but the idea of Allen Iverson sitting on the bench wearing a sportcoat makes me giddy with excitement for the forthcoming revolt from players.

I'm not saying that every NBA player will despise the new dress code, but there is a reason that the NBA players dress differently from a student at St. Albans Boys' School. I cannot wait to see how this decision pans out.

Think about the possibilities for a second. AND1 turtlenecks? Nike Ties? Converse Herringbone blazers? David Stern might just be a marketing genius who is going to receive large kick-backs from the shoe companies and other basketball affiliated outlets due to his expansion of a heretofore uncharted market.

Current Listening: "Leaving Through the Window" by Something Corporate.

I could not agree with E.J. Dionne more in this column. It may be cliche to say what goes around comes around, but if the Republican party insisted on proper investigation of perceived wrongdoings by the Democrats in the 90's, they should expect nothing less than the same treatment when they have been accused of potential malfeasance.

Last, but certainly not least, today is my Mom's birthday. I would write something really cheesy and sappy here, but I would be mocked and ostracized by all of my friends, so I guess I'll just call and say it over the phone.

My Momma Used to Say Only Jesus Can Save Us

I've heard many people lately claiming that the Reality-TV era is thankfully coming to a close. If its legacy is the reaction of Chuck Klosterman in this piece that is probably a good thing.

One of the most enjoyable/painful facets of being a sports fan is the desire to watch a game to its conclusion simply because you do not want to miss something historic. For instance, I will be able to tell people one day in passing conversation that I watched the entire Astros v. Braves 18-inning saga from its beginning until its resolution. Why did I spend that much time watching a game that I really did not care about? The answer may seem inane, but I wanted to be able to say that I did.

With that aspect of sports fandom understood, I am thoroughly disappointed in myself for not seeing the end of the USC-Notre Dame game on Saturday. Sure, I went to a great dinner with my girlfriend's family and the ACU Homecoming Musical after that, but as a devout college football fan I had a difficult time going to sleep on Saturday night knowing that I had missed a classic.

I'm not sure where this picture is from but one of my daily readers could probably identify it for us.

You Know What the Midwest Is? Young and Restless

Why does Pat Robertson keep saying things like this?

The link is to an article in the Washington Post detailing the work that the Bush Administration is doing with religious conservatives such as James Dobson and Mr. Robertson to reassure them and their constituencies that Harriet Miers is a good pick for the SCOTUS. I was surprised by the following quote by Mr. Robertson, but looking back at some of his gems relating to Hugo Chavez I probably should not have been.

In warning Republican Senators not to vote against Miers due to the fact that the voted for Ruth Bader Ginsburg when she was nominated by President Clinton in 1993 Robertson stated, "Now they're going to turn against a Christian who is a conservative picked by a conservative president and they're going to vote against her for confirmation? Not on your sweet life if they want to stay in office."

I have been greatly troubled in the past when I have heard figures on the Religious Right, such as Robertson and Dobson, issuing de facto threats at certain congressional figures in order to sway their votes. It does not seem to be the way of Christ to intimidate and threaten people around you simply to sway their opinions in your favor.

Christ calls us to truly become involved with people's lives and to see them as more than the sum total of their opinions and stances on various issues. It is a relatively simple idea but one that should be stated again and again, especially in reference to those that we do not agree with: People are not their ideas.

In more enjoyable news, it appears that the Evil Empire is already starting to crumble from the inside. What is the world coming to when a $200 million dollar payroll can only buy a first-round playoff exit?

Am I Living it Right?

I've told you many times what I think about their articles, but the NY Times decided they would tell me what they think about me and the millions of other readers who get their news from the Times. You can read the article here.

I guess I'm not the only one who thinks it is very curious that some Conservative Senators and Lobbying groups are closing the door on Harriet Miers so quickly after repeated claims accusing Democrats of obstruction in past judicial confirmation hearings.

I'm not sure if anyone else has heard this story, but I guess some seats are just better than others if you want to be on top of the action. Just ask Shaun Dean.

The following picture has nothing to do with anything that I have written today. It's a picture during Watermelons from Bidnight 2005.


Current Listening: "A Live One" by Phish.

Have a great Tuesday everybody.

When I Step Into the Light, My Arms are Open Wide

I agree with some of these writers that the Astros v. Braves game yesterday was a historic matchup, but I don't know if I would rank it as one of the greatest playoff games of all time. Let's give it a little time and see how it stacks up once it reaches the sepia-like tones of games from '75 and '86.

My problem with the game yesterday was the level of offensive futility that took place in the "2nd game." Before Burke's homerun in the bottom of the 18th, the teams had combined for 0 runs and 4 hits after the 9th inning. It was painful to watch at times simply because neither team could manufacture any type of production against what appeared to be mostly sub-par pitching performances by both teams.

Clemens was impressive during his relief appearance, especially due to the fact that he could have conceivably been the only Astros pitcher available for the duration of the game.

As we watched the game and observed both teams inability to begin any type of sustained offensive surge, we quickly determined that the only way the game was going to end was a homerun or one of the catchers standing up as the ball reached the plate and freely allowing it to go the backstop so the runners could circle the bases unimpeded and put us all out of our misery. We suspected the former but secretly hoped for the latter.

Current Listening: "Dave Matthews Band: Live in Chicago"

Our Dreams and They are Made Out of Real Things

Well, the Red River Shootout was not exactly a barnburner, but it did feel pretty darn good. In my mind, the main difference between the talented UT teams of the past few years and the '05 edition is the leadership/passing ability of Vince Young. Those of us who have been watching Vince since his days at Madison High have always known that he was the best athlete of whatever field he stepped on, but this year he has added a precision passing element to his repetoire that has made the 'Horns offense move like a well-oiled machine this year.






With all of that said, the most impressive part of Vince's performance so this year has been the intangibles. The way that he maintained his compsure in the bedlam of the Horseshoe against THE Ohio State University to lead the offense to the game-winning score. The way that he breaks up fights between his teammates and the opposition and the way that he congratulates his opponents when they make a good tackle in the open field.

Each of these play into the success that the Longhorns have tasted this far, but if you were to ask Vince what he thought so far, he would probably tell that the road to Pasadena is a long one and it has not been paved just yet.

I'm pretty sure that I am not headed in this direction, but it is interesting to read nonetheless. I'm pretty sure that after reading this article my parents will change the locks on the house just to make sure.

Sometimes I wonder just how much punishment sports fans can take. Yes, I did watch the entire Astros v. Braves game this afternoon. That is six hours of my life I will never have back, but it was fun while it lasted.

I Can Hardly Speak, I Understand

This morning as I rode with Patrick to "Friday Mornings" he asked me how post-LSAT life was. I give a quick laugh, because I had thought many times this week about exactly that question. Our time is a vacuum. Even after you check something off that list that seems to have consumed your time for as long as you can remember, something else will come along after that is over to fill that space.

I began to think about how we always set milestones in our minds. We continually tell ourselves that once we graduate from high school, once we graduate college, once we get married, once we get a job, once we have kids, once our kids go to college, or once we retire, then......life will begin.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Life is going on all around us each and every day and who are we to set deadlines and standards for when life is truly going to start happening on our terms? Go out today and find what God is doing. Jump into it with all you have without wondering whether everything is right or this is the right time for you to begin living the life you have always wanted to have.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler. " Henry David Thoreau

All the Way to Mexico

Due to apparently popular demand, here is your blog update. In my own defense, I must state that I only missed one day, but if the public wants it, who am I to say no?

I'm not sure how many of you saw the story on the Senate vote today to regulate the detention of prisoners held by the American military. You can a story on the events in Washington here. I was particularly interested in the support that John McCain gave to this amendment to the Defense spending bill due to his terrible experiences as a P.O.W. in the Vietnam War. The following quote from McCain illustrates arguably the strongest reason for this process of reform and regulation in military interrogation practices.

"Many of my comrades were subjected to very cruel, very inhumane and degrading treatment, a few of them even unto death. But every one of us - every single one of us - knew and took great strength from the belief that we were different from our enemies."

If we are to be a "beacon of rights and freedom" for all countries of the world as the Bush Administration asserts, we should be the world leaders in the practice of humane treatment even for those who wish us the greatest of ills.

Current Listening: "Mexico" by Jump Little Children.

In one of the more enjoyable moments of this Thursday morning, I was watching "Sportscenter" after my 8:00 class, when I noticed that they were actually showing NHL highlights. My mind sprung into warp-speed as I tried to remember which team was defending Lord Stanley's Cup this year, when I finally arrived at the answer: The Tampa Bay Lightning. That's right folks, a team from Tampa Bay is reigning NHL Champions. This is the reason that some people still wonder if hockey is still a major sport.

To Figure Out a Girl

I know I have written about Eliot Spitzer many times before, but I really thought this article in this week's NY Times Magazine was quite interesting.

Here at the beginning of the MLB playoffs, I'm calling a Cardinals championship. Faithful blog readers will remember that I successfully predicted a University of North Carolina Championship in March Madness this year. Is it a coincidence that the Final Four was in the 'Lou and that is where the Cardinals hang their hats? I think not.

Last night at the SpeakEasy, the Ninjas (plus lady friends) viewed the premier of the 2005 "Ninja Rockout Video." Due to this great event, I give you the greatest computer background of all time.



You all have been great, I'm out.

A Shoebox of Photographs

Everyone, I am quite sorry for not writing the past few days. They have been filled with many good things, and as a consequence one of my favorite things, writing in this space each day, fell by the wayside.

I think the LSAT went well, but a more objective analysis of that belief is forthcoming in about 3 weeks. I'll keep everyone posted.

In other news, Dr. Bob Hunter will not be running for re-election in 2006 due to his recent diagnosis with prostate cancer. You can find a story in the Abilene Reporter News here. Dr. Hunter has done so much not only for ACU, but also for his constituents in District 71 and the entire state of Texas. I think that if I have half as much as fun as Bob Hunter has had throughout his life, I will be immensely satisfied.

I am quite excited about the Red River Shootout this weekend. I realize that OU has not quite been themselves so far this year, but I cannot help but think that a rivalry game such as this usually brings about the highest level of competition even from teams that are down on their luck. It should be a lot of fun to watch will all of the fellows at the 'Burgh on Saturday morning.


I thought I would include this photo of Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice John Paul Stevens on their first day of work during the Supreme Court's 2005-2006 term today. I will probably write more on this subject tomorrow, but what does everyone think about Bush's choice of Harriet Miers to replace Sandra Day O'Connor?