Congrats to Matt!

Matt Miller signed a two year contract with Siroki Primo Piva in Bosnia today. The Adriatic League will be a huge challenge for him. The league boasts some quality domestic talent peppered with a few ex-NBA players.

It's a big step up from England Basketball League Division One but he can play at that level.

I'll link the Eurobasket article as soon as it's available.

Clown* of the Week: Lee Bollinger

Bill Krystol's article sums it up nicely.

Seriously, freedom of speech?....ok, I get it. Today, liberals are flaunting the first ammendment like a trophy wife. Ok....while he certainly CAN be invited to speak at Columbia University doesn't mean that he SHOULD be invited to speak at Columbia. Let this case serve as additional proof to my hypothesis that most university presidents are, in reality, detached elitist clowns.

Link: Columbia University: Ahmadinejad Yes, ROTC No. Bill Kristol, The Weekly Standard 9-20-07.

*Lisa made me change the original title.

Ouch...

Link: Dollar Tumbles to a New Low Against the Euro and 1 to 1 Parity With The Canadian Dollar. Associated Press, 9-20-07.

Cold War 2.0 Update

While the article doesn't always agree with itself, it does act as a comprehensive position paper on the state of modern-day Russia. Along with an elementary history lesson, it projects what the Putin regime sees as the most prudent way forward.

"And he (Putin) is proud of his KGB roots. “There is no such thing as a former Chekist,” he says. It is a revealing remark. The Cheka was the Bolsheviks’ earliest secret police, and Putin is fast declaring his loyalty to the founders of the police state."

Link: Putin's Global Warning. Brian Moynahan, London Times 9-16-07

Clinton made a huge mistake in regard to Russia. His office promoted financial reform for the new Russia which seems harmless on the surface. However, financial reform sans government restructuring was a colossal misstep. A Chekist/KGB/FSB-led Russia with deep pockets is a frightening prospect.

At best, it's a course which must be navigated with care. At worst, it's a potential confrontation with a capricious state who's global enfluence is growing daily. Either way, it's a mess which must not be ignored.

Prediction: Putin will be back in the driver's seat in 2012 (if not sooner).

UK 40 UofL 34

After drawing the shortest straw in the UofL locker room at halftime, Brian Brohm reluctantly calls Bobby Petrino begging him to return to Louisville.

Here's Whitey

If you aren't familiar with the story of James "Whitey" Bulger and his place in mob history, I would encourage you to take a look at this article.

Link: FBI Posts Pictures of Possible Whitey Bulger Sighting in Italy. Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe 9-14-07.

Give'em Hell, Rudy!!!

I know it's Truman's slogan but he doesn't need it anymore!



Link: Rudy Wants the Same Rate! Michael Godfarb, The Weekly Standard 9-13-07.

Let the Trash Talking Begin

It is being reported in Louisville that UofL Head Coach Steve Kragthorpe will only dress 20 players for this weekend's rivalry game against UK......the other players will have to dress themselves.

What do you get if you drive slowly through the UofL campus? A Degree.

How many UofL freshman does it take to screw in a lightbulb? None. That's a 200 level course.

Why do UofL receivers where wrist bands? To keep the handcuffs from chaffing.

How do you get a UofL grad off your doorstep? Pay him for the pizza.

Finally...why do UofL students go to movie theatres in packs of 18? Because 17 and under and not admitted.

KGB Ties

For those who feel our President has too much power...

"The main question as to who would be his successor became a bit clearer today when Putin dissolved the entire government."

Link: Changing of the Guard: Moscow Style. Reuben Johnson, The Daily Standard 9-12-07

I seem to be spending a lot more time examining the political landscape in Russia these days. At times, it's comedy. Other times, it's chilling. In spite of the type of drama only Aaron Spelling could produce (i.e., over-the-top story lines and, at the same time, wildly predictable), Russia remains the #1 oil producer in the world and they are in the Nuclear Club; therefore, they get our attention.

Peter Feaver Sums It Up

Good read from the Boston Globe. In my opinion, comparing MoveOn.org to Joe McCarthy does the former Senator no justice. Move-on is an unprincipled and deceitful lot. Please ask your local democratic party leaders if they support MoveOn.org and their attempted character assassination of General Petraeus. It's shameful, really.

Link: MoveOn's McCarthy Moment, P Feaver, Boston Globe 9-11-07

Putin is Putting the Band Back Together

Sabre rattling in the North Sea. When should we start paying attention to this???...

Link: RAF Intercepts Eight Russian Bombers As Putin Provokes West. M. Evans & T. Halpin, London Times 9-06-07

Putin is due to step down in the fall of 08 courtesy of the Russian Federation's term limit policy. Will it happen???...

Michigan Makes Primary Move Official

....wow. I know losing to Appalachian State was embarrassing but don't you think this is a tad drastic???....

Actually, it's easy to understand exactly why Gov. Granholm has been pushing for this move. The economy in Michigan, Detroit specifically, is dire. If you subscribe to the "any press is good press" axiom, it's a brilliant move. Two and a half hours of primetime exposure, while it will surely paint a grim picture, will get the nation's attention.

Link: Michigan Makes Primary Move Offical. M Shear, Washington Post 9-4-07

Unlikely Hero Stops the Bleeding for the Sox

Clay Buchholz looks like he should be fetching beers for me at the Sigma Chi house during alumni weekend. Instead, this young lad skipped pledging entirely and became a full-fledged member of the Red Sox fraternity last night at Fenway.

After rocking Nick Marakis to sleep with a 77 MPH breaking ball to end the game, Buchholz was mobbed by his teammates. The little guy had tossed a no hitter in his second career start.


Link: Second To None. G. Edes, Boston Globe 9-2-07

UK ROLLS OVER EKU

To make the night even better for me and Jordi, UK blasted EKU 50-10. So this is what it feels like to have a good football team???.... The giant killers, Kent State, will be a tough match-up next week but it's hard to not look past them. A date with little brother is looms just over the horizon.

Also, for those of you playing at home, Jordi is now 11 for 11 in Jumbotron appearances per game. Next week, we hope to have pictures as I attempt to pull off the double - Jordi AND Caroline on the big screen at the same time!

Link: Runaway Cats. C. Cosby, Herald-Leader 9-2-07

Emerson College does it again!

First, let me start by pointing out that my time at Emerson College made up some of the best moments of my life. EC is a great place! It sits in the heart of Boston Proper and is the perennial powerhouse in the fields of broadcasting, film, writing, theatre and other communication-based educational programming. That being said, EC is much different than anything I had experienced while cutting my teeth down south. Here's a shining example of what I'm talking about.

Link: Emerson Makes Restrooms Gender Neutral. E. Canal, Boston Globe 9-1-07.

Any desire I had for my girls to attend EC has been flushed down the gender-neutral toilet.