A Year On a Bench

Personally, wer had a pretty good year here at VFLOAB. Better than 2005.

But I think the USA on the hold had another pretty crummy year. We're still fighting in Iraq and things have only gotten worse; the torture and imprissonment of those both guilty and innocent continues. bin Laden still has yet to be caught and brought to some sort of justice. The US economy started to hit the skids with the housing bubble letting out a lot of steam and the dollar falling sharply (and not to mention that we fully expect the US to have a negative savings rate for the second year in a row). Dick Chaney shot a man. We saw the continued break down of checks and balances ... even though Congress started to stand up to Bush only after his approval rating hit 35%. The Dems won control of both the House and Senate (well for the time being), but odds are that's just going to lead to two years of nothingness. Donald Rumsfeld finally lost his job. And when I say finally, I mean like two and a half years too late. And then there was that Mark Foley stuff. And you can't help but ask yourself if getting Saddam was worth it.

Things reamained much the same in Europe.

Most of Africa is still a mess thanks to colonization, though the world is trying to help the contient.

I guess things are looking up in Asia, but it still raises more questions than anwsers when you look at the eastern and souther Asia, and we have to ignore the fact that North Korea tested the bomb. (How does that egg taste President Bush? You attack Iraq for the WMDs, they don't gots 'em, and a few years later North Korea completely spits in your face by showing you that they've got the WMDs... and you can't do anything about it because you called 'em out without China's backing... seriously, can W just leave now? What a disaster he's been. In fact, I'm not going to use the worlds 'Disaster' or 'Fucked' next year. It's gonna be: "that's Bushed up" or "Wow, that was a complete Bush" Or "Bush you, you motherBusher").

Things in the Middle East seem to only get murkier and dirtier... Hamas is elected to power Palestine (yay Democracy!) and eventually lead to a deadlock in their government. Hezbollah kidnaps two Isreali soldiers, and Isreal completely over reacts by blasting the shit out of innocent Lebonese cilvians. Iran continues to try and make the bomb and openly defining the US. Of course we're still in bed with repressive regimes and supply the terrorists who attack this country like Saudi Arabia because they've got a lot of oil. Meanwhile, we get pissy with Hugo Chavez because he claims that he wants to try and help poor people and talks some harmless trash about the US to get himself elected. Little does the US know that the Torries could rap up the House of Commons in London if they began blasting the US and playing up the anti-Americaism card. They won't, but that's how disliked the US is right now.

But speaking of Latin America... that might be the one region of the world were things seemed to pick up a bit. It seemed as if every Latin American country had an election this year, and it seems like most of those elections were free and had limited corruption. Funny how democray works isn't it? This country begins to cultivate it after the Cold War with encouragement and free trade deals, and then lets it grow on it's own. Of course, populists like Chavez and socialists like Evo Morales piss off Washington to the point where we're going to start training militants again... even though both were democratically elected.

Basically the US Forgein Policy Slogan should read something like "We want everyone to be democratic unless you elect the people we want you to elect."

Then again, I guess that's how most of the world views the US... "We want you to be democratic but why do you keep electing a President we would never elect?"

All's fair in that case, eh? Everyone's a hypocritic.

But I can't help but feel that we're a little bit further from the goal of peace and justice. And I don't say those words as some Christmas/Happy New Year card greeting... we should all, as humans, be striving for peace and justice in the world. And we need to realize that to achieve these goals - war is not the anwser. It rarely is. And in order to achieve these goals of peace, of justice, of freedom... we need to put aside our own greed and ambitions at times. We need to look out for others. We need to stop acting like rational economic beings and start acting like compassionate and loving beings. We need to question our leaders, look for progress, do the right thing... even if it's a pain in the ass from time to time. We all want freedom, peace, justice and love... we humans have come a long way from 2,000 or 1,000 or 500 years ago. We've done so much good, we have taken steps neccessary to create more freedom and justice and peace. And we need to keep working at it. We can't revert to our old ways just because someone else doesn't like it or because someone else wants to go back to the way things where. Most of the time the way things were sucked.

As Clarence Darrow said:

You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecing the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free... I know that the nation that is not watchful of its liberty will lose it. I know that the individual that will not stand for his rights will have no rights.

And I leave you with those words going into 2007. Not about radical change. But a message of remembering to never compromise your freedom, even if someone asks you, even if that someone is your lover or country. I think if we do this; peace, justice, and love will follow.

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The year in sports was, in the end, pretty uninteresting. At least in the US.

We saw the two worst champions of all time in the Pittsburgh Steelers winning the Super Bowl and the St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series. Both the Series and Super Bowl were bores to watch. Both the Seahawks and Tigers gave the rings away. And in the NBA, the Miami Heat have to be one of the five to ten worst championship team of all time. I think some team south of the Mason Dixon line won the Stanley Cup.

College football had a down year over all in 2006... but we did get to see one of the greatest games of all time: Texas and Vince Young beating USC in the Rose Bowl for the National Title. An amazing game in every sense of the world.

The 2006 NFL season was one of the better seasons in recent memory... but we'll have to see how the playoffs shake out... in 2007.

I almost forgot the Winter Olympics... oh wait, I just did. ZING!

The World Baseball Classic came and went... and it wasn't half bad. Even if we never in a million years thought Japan would play Cuba for the title.

George Mason made the Final Four. Isn't it weird how we just sort of forget about the Tourney expect for like ONE THING every year? Like in 2005 the only thing anyone remembers is the Final between the Illini and Tar Heels (though once in a while someone will bring up the 'Zona/Illini game). Weird how the Tourney works... espically since we all love it.

Remember, if you do 'roids, make sure you're an NFL player since no one in the media cares.

In Chicago, it was a hang over year. The White Sox winning in 2005 took a lot out of the city... 2006 feature a bland but team orinated Bulls team that made the playoffs but lost in the first round. The Cubs sucked. No one noticed the Blackhawks. The Fire opened a new stadium, but didn't inspire anyone to get too excited. The Sox, ultimatly, never got hot and their golden ticket in 2005, pitching, ended up costing them a post season birth in 2006.

That leaves the Bears and the most interesting and fun season that Bears fans have enjoyed since the late 80s. Sure 2001 was fun, but it was unbelieavable. The team couldn't run the ball, throw the ball, and seemed to be more lucky than good. But this team is something special. Of course the down side to any team that's supposed to be very good is that they create more anexity than joy at times. That's how most Bear fans feel... okay we've got a great defense and special teams, but what about the quaterback? Can Rex win it? Oh, no, now the D is falling apart...

We'll have to wait and see in 2007.

So what will we remember about 2006 as far as sports? Watford made the jump to the Big Time. The World Cup, the Headbutt, and Clint Dempsey's goal against Ghana. Of course getting a point off of Italy, the only team to do so in Germany, was a highlight too. That US/Italy game was one of the most emotional sporting events I've ever watched.

********************

As far as pop clulture... I'm sure there were a 100 things that went down. I guess we finally say Tom and Katie's baby... I got sick of Jen... and frankly others could sum it up better than me. So I'll leave that to them. But don't fret. The 30 Best Songs of 2006 are here and The Nine Best Things of 2006 are still to come. Feel the joy!

Jason Taylor is Totally right... NFL Rankings again

What the Hell is Jason Taylor thinking?

"You really shouldn't be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with," Taylor said Wednesday. "To make the Pro Bowl and all the other awards , I think you're walking a fine line of sending the wrong message."

Jason, let me tell you something, look right here... right here... If you play in the NFL it's okay to do steroids. BANG! (okay enough Paul McGuire). In fact, you should do 'roids because you become a better player and people love you even more. This is a fact. And if you don't believe me, Jason, just look at the guy who you're talking about. Shawne Merriman . He does steroids. He gets suspended for four games (four weeks!). And then he gets to play again. In baseball you get 50 games, which works out to be about 8 weeks. A baseball suspension is twice as harsh as an NFL suspension. The media doesn't give you a free pass in baseball either.

Of course, if known juicer Shawne Merriman played baseball, he'd be public enemy #1. And his career would be just... about... over...

Just check out what happened to Rafael Palmeiro whose career came to an end after a positive steroid test. Palmeiro's chances of making the Baseball Hall of Fame stand some where between nil and none despite his 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.

But Merriman? The media can't give him enough love. Hell he might even win the NFL Defensive player of the year EVEN THOUGH HE TESTED POSITIVE FOR STEROIDS THIS YEAR! But it's the NFL. They can do no wrong. Even after they switch all their games to Direct TV and charge 400 bucks for the season. We will still worship at the alter of bad football.

(Speaking of baseball, you would think after this winter of insane contracts I would read "Zito signs for seven years and 125 million" and I wouldn't be that shocked. No. I'm shocked. Totally shocked. It's almost like a competition between about five teams to see who have give the worst contract in the history of sports. I'm convinced that if RickDiPietro played catcher, he would get a 20 year, 439 million deal from the Rangers tomorrow. Instead I guess he'll have to settle for that 15 years, $67.5 million contract with the Islanders (which is still the worst contract in the history of sports, even though GilMeche's contract is solidly in second).

And I should say, doesn't anyone really care what Skip Baless says about anything? Yet this man is on TV giving his opinion on sports with that sly "I'm smarter than everyone look"... why? That's all though, Skip's probably the biggest loser of 2006. Why waste any more time?

So what's up for today? How about another run down of the NFL? Sounds good to me... and for all I know, this might be the last time I do it since I'm just about to leave the NFL for good. Everyone has a breaking point, for me it'sShawne Merriman, with you it's me... thanks to the Hip for the help. This is where we were at a few weeks ago, in case you care.

32. Detroit (32) - No change, they stink. Let's just move on before someone gets dumber.

31. Oakland (30) - Just bad news all around. I guess that D is okay, but other than that... probably the worst offense of my life time. Imagine if that defense had no pride? They really would be 0-16.

30. Cleveland (29) - If I was from Cleveland... oh forget it. I'm starting to become convinced that this team will always suck.

29. Houston (28) - I'm going to pretend that they're not in the NFL. And I'll say it again, NO ONE HAS FEELINGS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER ABOUT THE HOUSTON TEXANS. I AM SHOUTING.

28. Tampa Bay (31) - They've showed some spunk. I like that out of the 28th best team in the league.

27. Arizona (27) - I'd like to put them higher, but there is really no where to put them.

26. Minnesota (21) - The wheels really came off the wagon quickly on this team didn't they? I mean, if it wasn't for the Giants, we'd be talking more about the Vikings right? And their new uniforms stink.

25. Washington (25) - According to everyone in DC, they're going to win the Super Bowl next year. It's amazing how I didn't draw the Cub/Skins comparison until after I moved from DC. But if you're a Skins fan, is there really anything to get that excited about for next year? I mean, if things stay as is, they could fight for the playoffs. But they're going to tinker with the team and find a way to go 8-8.

24. San Fran (22) - I'm still looking forward to the 'rebirth' of the 49ers next year.

23. Miami (20) - I would hate being a Dolphins fan right now. First they pass up on Brees to sign Daunte. Daunte can't play so they're forced to go with Joey Harrington who played just well enough for a period of time to make fans think "wait, maybe...". Then on top of that, NickSaban is all but gone. So basically, the Dolphins are the same team they were two years ago except they're older. On the bight side, they have Ronnie Brown.

22. New York Giants (12) - Even if they make the playoffs, a team has never had a Larger, Brighter, More Obvious "Dead Men Walking" sign in the history of sports. Well besides the 1986 RedSox in Game Seven of the World Series. And maybe the 2005 Astros... of course the Astros went on to still make the World Series. So this may mean nothing, as the Polish Jesus seems to think.

21. Buffalo (24) - Since both the Bills and 49ers should be okay next year, can we just fast forward to Chris Berman picking those two for the Super Bowl next year? I haven't been this excited since I heard that Limp Bizkit was coming out with a new album.

20. St. Louis (23) - I really only have one question, did Mike Martz ever really leave? I mean, wasn't this year pretty much the same as the previous three or four in St. Louis? I guess there wasn't the drama, but the team still underachieved. The more things change...

19. Atlanta (15) - Why are we blaming Vick for being misused again? In a year where we major questions as to who was going to be "the Worst Coach in the NFL" afterTice, Martz , and whoever was coaching the Lions got fired Jim Mora came to the rescue. (Art Shell was never in the running since he's Art Shell and on another level of badness). Then again, I'd pay a million bucks to see Mora coach TO.

18. Green Bay (26) - I can't believe it myself, but there's a chance that an absolutely brutal Packer team is going to make the playoffs. But if you thought that was bad...

17. New York Jets (19) - This team still isn't that good. Maybe they don't stink, but I couldn't be more unexcited about the Jets being in the playoffs. I hate this team. They're boring to watch... I mean watching paint dry boring. And yet, they're probably going to make the playoffs. Of course, that does offer up the chance of them getting waxed by the Pats or Colts in 10 days or something. BET THE FAVORITE!

16. Pittsburgh (18) - You mean the worst Super Bowl Champions of all time are struggling the next year? You don't say! But they're still better than the Jets.

15. Carolina (13) - Once again, why doesn't John Fox get any of the blame?

14. Kansas City (10) - Okay I was way off on them. I'm sorry about that. I should know better. But if it worked for the Chargers... hey why has it worked for the Chargers?

13. Jacksonville (11) - Mo-Jo-Drew or just Mo-Jo... shouldn't this be Maurice Jones-Drew's nick name? Should we be calling him this? Why aren't we calling him this? Are we pissed that he has the double last name so we can't call him M-Jo orMJ? Whatever. Weird team those Jags. They're becoming the Vikings of the AFC.

12. Tennessee (17) - You watch Vince Young and you enjoy the experience. Sure he's a rookie, but the Titans allow him to make plays. You watch the Falcons who have the same QB only FASTER and with A BETTER ARM and you want to slit your wrists (unless Vick takes off). Why? Does Jim Mora not watch other NFL games? Does he not realize that the Titans could be on the verge of changing the face of the NFL since they think outside of the box (sorry) and have a QB that allows them to do such things? If the Titans ever get new uniforms, I could sort of get behind them. (I just realized that people probably won't inherently understand that using the second person is funny there. So I'm letting you know that using the second person is inherently amusing).

11. Cincinnati (2) - It's a shame they probably won't make the playoffs. It really is. All they had to was make a good snap, kick that extra point, and all is well with the world. Instead, we're going to have to suffer though the Jets getting destroyed by Indy or New England. I hate the NFL.

10. Denver (14) - Rookie QB in the playoffs... rookie QB in the playoffs... I know we're about ten years away from a rookie QB leading a team to the Super Bowl, but until that changes, rookie QB in the playoffs... rookie QB in the playoffs... now watch them go lose to the 49ers this weekend.

9. Dallas (9) - We called the Tony Romo downfall (though we called it an implosion, which it hasn't been... so far). THANK YOU (and the Polish Jesus). But this team is being ripped apart by... you guessed it! TO! What a shocker that is. AndRomo isn't that good, I'm sorry. They were lucky to beat the Falcons in week 15 and got waxed by the Birds in week 16.

8. Seattle (6) - Does this team have a valid excuse as to why they won't be the #3 seed in the NFC? They really blew it. If they're the #3 seed, they avoid the Bears until the NFC Championship... instead they may struggle to beat, probably, the Cowboys.

7. Philly (16) - Odds are they'll end up with a 8-8 team coming to Philly next week. They should/will destroy that team. They will then go to New Orleans, where they will have a pretty good chance of beating the Saints. Some how, some way, this team could make the Super Bowl. Of course, odds are, Andy Reid will blow the New Orleans game, so I guess this is a moot point. And I really enjoyed the message board comments from my Philly friends aboutGarica in my fantasy league. High comedy. They love him in a very platonic way.

6. Indy (4) - I can't see Peyton willing his team to victory in the AFC. And I think I could run for 100 yards on that defense. The Colts are, officially, three years from making a Super Bowl run. Then again, if the AFC ever goes to shit, like the NFC, then they could have a chance in two years.

5. New Orleans (8) - At times, it's like watching the 1999 Rams with a power running back. I'm telling you a very enjoyable experience watching 'dem Saints.

4. San Diego (3) - You're telling me that the media just learned the Rivers is a first year starter about three days ago? I'll even say this is the most overrated team in the NFL. Their receivers stink, they don't use Gates enough, and rely way too much on LT. If you're playing the Chargers, why not put 8 in the box and dare Rivers to throw a pick? And on top of all that... Marty is the coach. You're telling me you'd take them over the Patriots in the playoffs right now?

3. New England (7) - Brady and Belichick, Belichick and Brady. If this team had one receiver, they'd be a near shoe in for the Super Bowl. Instead it's going to be a fight. But you're telling me they can't beat the Chargers? Marty vsBelichick would be the most lopsided coaching match up in years.

2. Chicago (1) - Funny, when the QB was a question mark, they were #1. Now the QB is cool... but the D? Oh no. Major problems there. You still have to like them over everyone else in the NFC. They're just better. And unlike last year, they can score points. Only the Chargers have scored more points (that's right the Bears are second in the NFL in points scored, but no one ever mentions this) and only two teams have allowed less points (the Pats and Ravens). Now, are you still going to tell me this team is overrated?

1. Baltimore (2) - I love this team. Love them. And right now, they are the best team in the NFL and have a QB that can match up with anyone. And they still don't get a lot of press. That spells goodthangs.

A Personal Update

I got business cards today. I feel the need to share this because I never blog about myself and I'm reading Chuck Klosterman right now. Some how he makes moments like getting business cards socially important.

Also, as I'm sure everyone knows, Gerald Ford died last night. I have no opinion on Gerald Ford, which may seem weird, but that's the truth. Gerald Ford is probably the least important President of the 20th century. The historian side of me can be brutally honest to the point where I'm mean. But I've never though honesty was mean, just more a bitch. Honestey's a bitch. There's a bumper sticker idea.

I also feel the need to write the words White Sox. I miss them. Next year I'm going to recorded about 50 games of the 2007 season, then put them in a box, tape the box and forget about them for three years. Then for Christmas in 2010, I will open that box and watch the 2007 WhiteSox because in 2010 the 2007 White Sox will be more interesting than the 2010 White sox. Just as the 2003 White Sox are much more interesting than the 2006 White Sox at this moment in time.

This is what I think about during the day. My life on a bench. Zing.

College Bowl Picks, Round Two

It's time to post the next 'set' of games... the bowls get a little better featuring teams that most of us have probably seen on TV. If you missed the first eight picks, here you go. If not... then you know the deal. We're off to a pretty good start I might add.

December 28 - Independence Bowl: Oklahoma State (-2) Alabama
Who is coaching the Tide in this game? I hate taking a middle of the road Big 12 teams, but I've got no faith in Alabama. BTW, this has to be the worst bowl game out there. Two 6-6 teams that can't play defense.
PICK: Oklahoma State

Texas Bowl: Rutgers(-7.5) Kansas State
I'm not a huge Rutgers guy, but they did have a Hell of a year losing only twice (once in overtime at West Virginia). Meanwhile Kansas State is sort of back, but that's only because they beat Texas. If you look closely you'll also see they lost to Baylor and Kansas... ouch. I can't see them shutting down Ray Rice and Brian Leonard. On a side note, this is one of the better named bowls this year... which doesn't say a whole lot.
PICK: Rutgers

Holiday Bowl: Texas A&M (+4) California
Another line that's moved a bit (towards A&M). On paper, this seems easy... take Cal. But I'm not so sure. The Aggies can run the ball, and I wonder if Cal is tough enough to with stand that. At the same time, I can't seen the Aggies slowing down Cal all that much when the Bears have the ball. Tough pick since if the Aggies can run the ball and get a few stops, they'll cover. But if they go down, there is almost no way they can get back in the game since they really can't throw the ball. No matter this should be a pretty good game, maybe the best non-January bowl.
PICK: Texas A&M

December 29 - Music City Bowl: Clemson (-9.5) Kentucky
Kentucky doesn't have a win that makes you go, oh wow! Then again, Clemson couldn't even win their ACC division. Clemson doesn't take care of the ball, Kentucky does. Clemson doesn't want to be there, the Wildcats do. I full expect Clemson to run all over the Wildcats, but a few turnovers keep the game closer than it should. I'll take the points.
PICK: Kentucky

Sun Bowl: Oregon State (-3.5) Missouri
Ugh, tough line. But you know what, Oregon State is hot and has a few decent wins on their resume. Missouri comes in limping and lacking that win that makes you go, oh, that's nice. On top of that, thePac-10 is better than the Big 12 this year. Even though the stats say other wise, I'm going with the Beavers.
PICK: Oregon State.

Liberty Bowl: Houston (+6) South Carolina
A lot of points should be scored in this one, so that usually favors the favorites (or at least, I think it should). I know Houston had a great year and all that, but this is one of those match ups where you look at who's playing who, and you realize that South Carolina has better talent, coaching, and played better teams throughout the year. I'll probably be burned in this thinking, but who cares.
PICK: South Carolina

Insight Bowl: Texas Tech (-6.5) Minnesota
Our first Big Ten game! That means we've got to be rational about things... don't be a homer... and I won't. I saw Minnesota get killed by Wisconsin and I don't think they'll be able to keep this one close. That isn't to say that Texas Tech doesn't have their own problems, but the Gophers can struggle to put up points and stop the pass. Even though they come in on a three game winning streak, the Red Raiders don't put up a ton of points, I can't see the Gophers keeping this close.
PICK: Texas Tech

Champs Sports Bowl: Purdue (-1) Maryland
Weird game... neither team had that great of a season (well maybe Maryland). Neither team can really run the ball or stop the run... so it comes down toQBs. I'll take Curtis Painter's ability over Sam Hollenbach's 'maturity' (aka he's a senior). This came could go either way since Purdue can't stop the run.
PICK: Purdue

December 30 - Meineke Car Care Bowl: Navy (+6) Boston College
Navy cannot go down early in this game. I repeat, Navy cannot go down early in this game. Boston College, even with Tom O'Brien somewhatbizarrely leaving for NC State (huh?), has more talent and a better QB. Plus they've won six straight bowl games, which is pretty impressive no matter what bowls they've been win. Also I just installed one of those 'energy saving' light bulbs and this one is bright white. I love it. Love the light it gives out and it's saving me money. Greatest light bulb ever.
PICK: Boston College

Alamo Bowl: Texas (-9) Iowa
Please, the line could be Texas -21 and I'd still take the Longhorns (this line has moved towards Iowa I might add). And this game is in SanAntonio on top of it. Iowa's dead in the water or something like that. Iowa is, hands down, the biggest disappointment in the country this year. Sort of like Auburn in 2003. So at least Iowa can hang their hat on that when they get killed. Worst 'big' bowl game of the season.
PICK: Texas

Chick-fil-A Bowl: Georgia (+2.5) Virginia Tech
Again, easy pick... but wait, the game is in Atlanta. Then again, that doesn't change a thing. Virginia Tech came on big time at the end of the year, and with all due respect to Wake Forest, are the best team in theACC . Tech also features the best D in the country. And lets not forget that Georgia is starting a freshman whose thrown 12 picks at QB. And then there isVaTech's special teams. Even if this game was played in Athens, I'd like the Hokies.
PICK: Virginia Tech

December 31 - MPC Computers Bowl: Miami (-3.5) Nevada
Knee jerk says stay away from Miami. But at the same time, this is a change for the 'Canes to go out and show their new coach what they've got. This might be one of those times where a coaching team actually helps the team. Oh wait, LarryCoker is a lame duck coach on the side lines. Awesome. Ugh, Miami has more talent and all that jazz. But they've played so bad forCoker this year.
PICK: Miami

I know I just picked a lot of favorites, but I don't like any of the under dogs... I even went back and tried to think of reasons to take the points, which is never a good thing.

Record Thus Far:
6-2

30 Best Songs of the Year

It's that time of the year... you know, when everyone writes about what they loved most about the past year and all that jazz.

And if that sentence didn't hook you, I really don't blame you.

But we're here to lay down our top tracks of 2006 - a weird year in music.

Unlike last year, there wasn't a song that made you go, 2006!, like "Golddigger" did last year; unless you thought "Crazy" united everyone like "Hey Ya" did in 2004. The year didn't feature an overall presence or trend like a Kanye, the rise of indie, or even Sufjan Stevens last year. Unless, to take my view, that we saw a lot of over looked music (come on down Neko Case) and a lot of overrated music (Sufjan writes the same song with new lyrics! Drink it up wantabe hipsters!) It was a so-so year in music. A year that featured a lot of solid efforts, but nothing that everyone could agree upon.

Just take Pitchfork which ranked the Knife as the best album of the year (Euro techno... seriously guys? Are you just giving a 'fuck you' to all the people that buy whatever you say is the best with that pick, right? It's not bad, but it's not great. Therefore I'm just assuming that Pitchfork is saying, 'you guys will buy it because we said so, go think for yourselves'.) and "My Love" by Timberlake as the best song? Really? You realize that this song isn't that much fun? Just some uncharismatic guy singing like a girl... and the song goes nowhere right? It's a classic 13 year old girl, top 40 song with no hidden anything? And this has nothing to do about hipsters (though hipsters hate the song because it's by Timberlake). This has everything to do with good music... and Justin ain't that good (though the SNL skit if FANTASTIC!). Justin's fine and that's it. And once again, he's totally uninteresting and uncharismatic. I don't know one male that wants to be Justin Timberlake.

That's Pitchfork... but check out some of these other lists... there is... no consensus pick... I mean, anywhere... nothing... even though TV on the Radio comes the closest. I guess.

So with that in mind, we give our two cents... as the Strokes said, "take it or leave it". And if we could, we linked the song. Yay youtube and MP3s!

And if you want to check out last year's list, go here... and btw, we would have added Andrew Bird's "Fake Palindromes" and Oxford Collapse's "Boys Go Home" if we had heard those songs last year. Just needed to say that. In fact, "Fake Palindromes" is probably one of my favorite songs of all time... same with that entire Andrew Bird album.

(Disclaimer: we are only one person (ha) and therefore didn't come close to hearing every song made this year, don't bug out if we forgot something, and no, I don't hear voices).

Honorable mention:
I've decided that I wouldn't list any band twice, but these songs could have made the list if I didn't have that rule:
The Funeral by Band of Horses
Margaret Vs. Pauline by Neko Case
Electricityscape by the Strokes
Turn Into by Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
Jackson Square by Mason Jennings
Rise Up With Fists!!! by Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins

Songs that weren't bad, but I felt the need to list them or say something about them:
- When You Were Young by the Killers - how could something that that felt so right two years ago feel so wrong now? This song doesn't deserve half the praise it's getting. What a shame, I thought the Killers would be alright.
- White Daisy Passing by Rocky Votolato
- The Man Who Came to Stay (B-Side) by Babyshambles
- So Long by Willy Mason
- Gravity's Rainbow by Klaxons

And let's just drop some of the overrated bands/people of the year...
- Tapes 'N Tapes - No they are not bad, but come on. What was so great about these guys? Their songs were sort of bland, they didn't have a 'song', and they weren't even fun on top of it. Say what you will about the Arctic Monkeys, but at least they're fun (and btw, I firmly believe the reason the Arctic Monkey's have gotten so much crap is becaue they're 100% British. Their lyrics drip of Nothern England to the point where most Americans, the self included, understand little to none of what they're talking about).
- Joanna Newsom - I heard a few tracks and it's not bad. It's pretty at time and the arangements are cool. But her voice... it's so bad. Like not even enjoyablely bad like Craig Finn or Eddie Veddar.
- Sufjan Stevens - The guy has been writting the same songs for the last five years now... what's the difference between his outakes and Christmas album and Michigan and Illinois? I enjoyed Illinois as much as the next guy, but it's getting a little out of control now. Do something new... something different... a song with a lot of bells and whistles (litterally) isn't "indie" if you do the same bells and whistles over and over and over and over again.
- Pitchfork - I'm only adding them because they're best of/end of the year lists stucked. Love 'em or hate 'em, they're the best out there.

Now, the list...

30) Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles from Love
This starts as a stripped down Strawberry Fields and quite an enjoyable one at that... and then it goes nuts (well nuts in the "I'm 45 and out for a night of drinking!" nuts). I dare someone to figure out every Beatles song that makes an appearance in this song since I'm pretty sure it's more that it sounds. It's quite fun listening to it all, and it works on top of it. (In case you were wondering "In My Life", "Piggies", Hello, Goodbye" all make appearances). This cut is probably the highlight of the album since it's one of the few that pushes things a bit. Personally, I grew to enjoy Strawberry Fields a little more thanks to this... just a fantastic Beatles song. I won't say Lennon's best, but it's up there.

29) Steady, As She Goes by the Raconteurs
In a way, this song is a bit disappointing, but it's probably more disappointing since it's a solid start to the album that then spire rolls into nothingness quickly. And I don't mean that in a flattering existential way. A blah album which basically only features this song which I can't help feeling as if it was in a mailed in effort anyway.

28) Deadwood by Dirty Pretty Things
The other half of the Libertines responds! Pete Doherty may be more interesting and in the end maybe a better musician than Carl Barât, but it becomes evident that Carl Barât is no slouch... he can write a post-Libertines lick too (and the Libertines were basically writing post-Clash licks as it was). Maybe it's the urgency of the song that I enjoy so, or the slashing guitars, machine fire lyrical delivery... but it works. In a year where there wasn't enough urgency, this song showed us that urgency could and should be done.

27) Stuck Between Stations by The Hold Steady
The best song on one of the best albums of the year and features probably the best line of the year: "she was a really cool kisser and she wasn't all that strict of a christian./she was a damn good dancer but she wasn't all that great of a girlfriend." But that's what the Hold Steady do best... tell stories over guitars, shots of Jack, and High Lifes that lead to PBRs. Unlike last year's effort, Boys and Girls in America doesn't deliver as may fantastic singles, but it features a more complete album. And by the way, I would totally date a girl like that.

26) Postcards From Italy by Beirut
No other song grew on me as much as this cut from Beirut did. The song in fact is a bit underwhelming. It builds upon itself and you can't help but feel a little unsure of where it's going, but if you let the song happen, allow patience to take over, the song eventually comes together. And it features horns, and as you know, we're suckers for horns here at VFLOAB.

25) Life Wasted by Pearl Jam
For about three weeks, Pearl Jam made a come back... but then we all realized that Pearl Jam was not the same old Pearl Jam even when they tried to go out be who they used to be in the 90s. Apperently only U2 can do that. And while this song makes the list for nostalgic reasons, it wasn't that bad of a song with big guitars and Eddie trying to sound like he doesn't know how to articulate words. But in the end, like most of this decade, it's an attempt to go back to the 90s. Don't we all wish we could.

24) Louisiana by the Walkmen
In the summer of 2004, I had no clue what to do with my life. I had just finished school... I was totally lost working some dead end job and dating a girl long distance. All I really remember from that summer is the White Sox trading for Freddy Garica and listening to "Bows + Arrows" by the Walkmen. It still ranks as one of my favorite albums of all time. So when the Walkmen came out with a new disc this year, I was pumped. Too bad the album was completely unnoteworthy. But Louisiana is a damn fine song, even if it has nothing to do with Katrina. But I like how it sways back and forth, then gives us a chi-chi----chi-chi--chi/chi-chi----chi-chi--chi on everything from the drums, to bass, to piano. Best if listened to around 3:00 am or pm... it's your classic "Three o'clock is always too late or too early for anything you want to do."

23) Policeman by Slings & Arrows
I like the hand claps. I really like those hand claps. And the improper grammar and guitar are cool too. And "Not My War" is pretty hot too.

22) Tricycle by Psapp
To be honest, I just like this song. There's nothing that special about it. The girl's got a nice voice... you know how it goes.

21) The Orchids by Califone
The prettiest song of the year. In fact, this is the prettiest song not by Sufjan Stevens in a long time.

20) Your Kisses are Wasted on Me by The Pipettes
Who would have thought that 60s pop would be so sorely missed that we would need a 21st century twist on it? No, the Pipettes don't bring anything too new to the table, but they do bring 60s pop without having to be subtle about sex. And it's fun. And whoever shouts "No, you don't know it!" during the pretty chours, well, love that too.



19) Please Visit Your National Parks by Oxford Collapse
While this song doesn't match the urgency of "Deadwood" it's the closest that you'll come in America this year. I love how it almost sounds like the band is yelling "You should be standing right next to me!" at the listener. And I'm totally not offended by it. And then the guitars sound like they're dueling in a weird way. But as the song wraps up, it slows down and becomes almost bittersweet as they play a few scales on a guitar as another softly strums... good night.

18) Coco On the Corner by Takka Takka
I'm not totally sure what it is, but this song just has it. There is something, but I'm not sure what it is. Maybe it's the hooks. Maybe it's the hand claps. Or that organ, or at least I think it's an organ... and the dude is totally whistling... whatever it is. This song has something about it that makes it enjoyable. Who knows how it will stand against the test of time.

17) SOS by Rihanna
Easily the most fun song of the year. If you could choose any song to get drunk with a member of the opposite sex, this would get our vote. "SOS please someone help me!" and oh yeah, that is "Tainted Love" you hear in the background. Note to self, if I ever want to make a hit record either have big horns and a driving bass or sample "Tainted Love".

16) Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
Unless you lived in a cave, you know this song. I don't need to say anything else about it. And whoever said it was the most unifying song since "Hey Ya" is totally right.

15) Thursday by Asobi Seksu
I don't know, there's just something about this song that offers you both "I'm going out in a few hours cuz it's Friday night!" and "It's a rainy Sunday Afternoon, sigh" so the versatility along gives it big ups. Oh yeah, again a female voice sucks us in (btw, it was a good year for the girls) and the guitar part is quite nice. This song feels British... maybe that's just me. I have nothing else to add besides that I like it.

14) The Great Salt Lake by Band of Horses
The song of the summer? It probably should have been, but it didn't quite have it. But it was close. Yet another bittersweet sounding song in a long list of bittersweet sounding songs this year.

13) Another Sunny Day by Belle & Sebastian
Thing song never really went away. It was here on our laps right when 2006 started and stayed the entire time. It's a simple song, or at least sounds that way, and it's pleasantly happy (I know weird thing to say, but it makes sense). I'm pretty sure this is a joyful song that celebrates the past... but then again, I'm not sure. But it's got a nice hook and beat that just works.

12) A Certain Romance by Arctic Monkeys
The most hyped band of 2006 actually kind of sort of lived up to the hype despite what Pitchfork and other say (remember kids, if Pitchfork didn't discover them that band sucks unless the band came about before Pitchfork was even a website). After one of the longer intros of the year, the song finally gets to it's point... something about old Reebok's, ring-tones, and romance that isn't around here. But let's face it, the guitar is cool and who doesn't love that northern English accent.

11) Cheated Hearts by Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
We love songs that slowly build up, one instrument entering at a time, and then explode (see the Strokes "Last Nite") and now that we think about it, this might be the first song since "Last Nite" that does a good job at that. I'm sure we're wrong. Anyway, this album sort of worked, but even better it featured two pretty hot songs in this and "Turn Into". Come on, if you're listening to this your, moving your head. Gotcha.

10) Wolf Like Me by TV on the Radio
I'm not sure which song features better drums, this one or the Strokes "Heart in a Cage"... not matter. This song, somehow someway, rocks. I can't really describe it... which I guess means it's good. I like listening to it... .

9) Napoleon Says by Phoenix
Phoenix is just good. Like the tri-color, they get the job done in ways you never really thought about... how could red, white, and blue be better? How could dance rock be improved... probably the easiest song to like on this list. And if it's to poppy, well tough shit.

8) Woman by Wolfmother
Anyone who says that this song is just a 70s rip off is missing the point. We need music like this. We want music like this. There's a reason why people listen to classic rock stations. People like that music. It's good music. And even if it first appeared 30 or 40 years ago, it doesn't mean anyone doing a 'modern' twist (and I use that loosely with this song) on that stuff automatically makes it bad and unoriginal. Odds are the person ripping this song either hates the Who and Led Zeppelin or is pissed that they didn't think of this first. Tough shit I say. I'll rock out to this. And yes Wolfmother, I know what you mean.

7) We Used to Vacation by Cold War Kids
I can almost guarantee that if Pitchfork had discovered these guys, not the bloggers, this would be a top five song and a top five album. I love Pitchfork, but over the past few weeks I've started getting sick of these guys. No matter, this song is a little weird, I mean, 20 year old kids talking in the first person about having a family and drinking problems? Maybe I'm missing something, maybe they really are preaching to us, but I'll just hope that they rote some killer licks and hooks and then just filled it in with weird lyrics.


6) The Big Guns by Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
First it's the kick ass guitar, then you realize Jenny isn't talking about a guy, but rather God. And then the guitar comes back, Jenny's flanked by the Watson twins, and the offers up something I think about: "And I'll pretend that everybody here wants peace/Have mercy, have mercy, have mercy on me/Cause we're tired and lonely and we're bloody" Classic. Finally some more guitar, Jenny's cute voice, hand claps, Big Guns... pretending people want peace (I assume she's calling out Bush and others there). And then fade out to the Big Guns. Awesome. And Jenny is like, totally cute, and we're totally in love with her.

5) Rough Gem by Islands
We know totally weird video. But it's a good song. Who doesn't love all the random sounds and instruments... personally I think my favorite fifteen seconds in music this year comes right after the bridge (or maybe that is the bridge, there are too many 'parts' to this song) when everything is going crazy and it's an absolute joy to listen too. And yes, by this point you should know that we're required to have a break out band or five each year from Montreal. I've got to get up there.

4) Heart in a Cage by the Strokes
I'm sort of shocked that the Strokes were completely forgotten on every best of list this year... I know the album came out in early Janurary, all the songs were leaked, and it wasn't their best effort, but it was still better than most of the 'hip' shit out there. I know this is crazy, but I was tempted to put Juicebox on this list, but I thought better of it despite it's "random Strokes generator lyrics" and the fantastic "for a while/it was nice/but it's time/to say bye". No it wasn't the best Strokes album, but it was pretty good. Fab's drumming is additive and piercing. Meanwhile, Nick and Albert seems to square off, once again, to see who can get the upper hand. And if you ask me, this song has the best lyrics on the album to boot even with all the "lefts". I love this song.

3) Eanie Meany by Jim Noir
In a way, it's surprising that there wasn't more music like this this year. Music that was carefree, innocent, and nostalgic considering how tough the past few years have been in this country. And what makes it even weirder is that Noir is from Manchester... England. But this song just goes to prove, there aren't nearly enough ditties out there. The way he sings "Eanie Meany, run away" over and over is addictive and fantastic. Plus if you didn't enjoy this commercial during the World Cup, you need to go see someone about happy pills.




2) Be Here Now by Mason Jennings
How this song isn't a hit just goes to show how corporate the music industry, and also American capitalism, can suck. Look, it might not be the best song. It certainly doesn't offer up anything totally new and Mason sounds a lot like John Lennon. But you know what.. that doesn't matter. I have no clue if he's talking about a love lost or a love next to him. But this song sums up every single relationship I've had and will ever have... for good and bad... and no it isn't necessarily poetic about it. It's fairly obvious, probably too obvious for those who actually think musical lyrics matter more than anything written by T.S. Eliot (which is totally ironic in the actual meaning of ironic). But "the sun does come up" and we do "start again". And we need to remember that.

1) Star Witness by Neko Case
As I've been hinting... 2006 was a bad year. A really bad year when you get down to it. It was bittersweet and we, as a society, seem stuck in October of 2002. Maybe we can't move on. Maybe the world can't move on. Maybe we shouldn't move on, or at the very least we don't know how to move on. I don't know. But big part of us, as Americans, died on 9/11. And we're still not sure how to deal with it. On top of that, our politicians seem hell bent on making the USA the most hated country since the USSR was up and running. Anytime you open the paper, turn on the news, fire up the Internets; you can't get away from the death and destruction and hate in the world. Sure if you look hard enough, you'll find silver linings, but over all, it's hard to say this was a good year when you add everything up.

Star Witness is about lost teenage love... the poor girl's boyfriend just crashed and is all but dead. And during these five beautiful minutes, the narrator is recounting the last minutes of her loves life. The imagery is fantastic: "Trees break the sidewalk/And the sidewalk skins my knees/There's glass in my thermos/And blood on my jeans/Nickels and dimes of the fourth of july". It's a sad song and like 2006 there is a sliver lining... Neko Case's voice. Oh that voice... Micheal Jackson, Edith Paif, Billie Holiday, and Neko Case all have/had voices that were the voice of God. That's how amazing her voice is. And as the song begins to rap up, she sings, "please... don't let him die/oh how I forgot". You think it's over... but then maybe the saddest and most beautiful piano lick I've heard begins. You have to listen to it. It breaks my heart every time I hear it. And I don't think there's anything else I would rather listen to at 11:59pm on Dec. 31, 2006. What a fitting end to a sad year. Hopefully 2007 will be better.

Bowl Predictions

It's College Bowl time.

And that means college games coming out of the waa-zoo. Seeing that we went 49-29-2 in the regular season, we figure we might as well pick every Bowl game too. It's our Christmas gift from us here atVFLOAB, to you. It's a season of giving.

We won't do all the games at once seeing that picking the National Title game three weeks before the game seems a bit silly. But here are the first week or so of bowls... if lines change drastically, we'll up date it, but I doubt I'll change it. (And we already lost one game, we're fully aware).

Another Bowl Challenge would be to get drunk for every bowl game. That's only getting drunk 17 out of the next 21 days... and you get Christmas off. Hey, if you're single andunemployed it's just a thought. We're looking out for you here.

December 19 - Poinsettia Bowl: TCU (-12) Northern Illinois
Hey we know a thing or two about Northern Illinois... and it's been a disappointing season for the Huskies. Garrett Wolfe has had a nice season, but even thought he's just a few yards short of 2,000 for the season, it's been a bit of a disappointing season for Wolfe too. Sure he lead the NCAA in rushing this year, but you almost expected him to have a superhuman season... in other words he wouldn't need 13 games to get to 2,000 yards. And on top of all that for the Huskies have to go to their backup QB for this game. Meanwhile,TCU had a nice season finishing second in the Mountain West and only losing two games. But that's a lot of points... and outside of that Ohio State game,NIU has played everyone close in their losses.
PICK: Northern Illinois

December 21 - Las Vegas Bowl: BYU (-3) Oregon
We were in love with Oregon for most of the first half of the season. And then they fell apart. And we jumped off the bandwagon that I'm pretty sure we were only riding. But you know what, Oregon can run the ball and I figure they control the clock because of it. And therefore, I'm going to take the points
PICK: Oregon

December 22 - New Orleans Bowl: Rice (-4) Troy
I'll openly admit that I know nothing about this game. Nothing. To the point where I'm not even going to look up these two teams. I could careless, least interesting bowl match-up. But the line is moving towards Troy...
PICK: Troy

December 23 -
Papajohns.com Bowl: South Florida (-5) East Carolina
I've got a friend who is doing his PhD at South Florida, which I might add is located in the Tampa area. And they beat West Virginia this year, so I'm going to go with 'em over the Pirates.
PICK: South Florida

New Mexico Bowl: New Mexico (-3.5) San Jose State
San Jose State has come a long way the past few seasons and have a better record. But this should be more of a home game for New Mexico... neither team has a win that stands out and makes you think 'one they're the team here'. Tough pick. San Jose State should be able to run the ball, but New Mexico probably has a bit of an edge on D. Really tough pick seeing that I haven't seen either team. I'll take the points.
PICK: San Jose State

Armed Forces Bowl: Tulsa (+1) Utah
Hey look, a bowl game named after the Armed Forces that doesn't feature either of the three military branches! Anyway, in a pretty evenly matched game, I'll take the team that creates more opportunities and played well down the stretch.
PICK: Utah

December 24 - Hawaii Bowl: Arizona State (+6.5) Hawaii
When I first looked up this line, it was at 8. Now it's 6.5... which actually sort of surprises me. I figured that if this line was going to move, it'd move in Hawaii's direction seeing that this game is in Hawaii andASU is playing for a lame duck head coach. Hawaii will put a lot of points on the board and although they don't have a great win, ASU doesn't even really have a good win out of their seven victories. I'll take Hawaii and their O.
PICK: Hawaii

December 26 - Motor City Bowl: Middle Tennessee State (+9) Central Michigan
Three true facts:
1) I've actually seen Central Michigan play more than once this year.
2) Chippewas QB, Dan LeFevour, grew up in Downers Grove, IL which is really close to where VFLOAB grew up.
3) Any team called the Chippewas has a place in our heart. If for no other reason than everyone's favorite beer in the Midwest not named Bell's is brewed in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. That's right, Leinenliegel's!
Anyway, the Chippewas won the MAC this year and while that doesn't sound totally awesome, it's impressive since you always hear about how Big Ten and Big East teams refuse to play the MAC teams away from their 70,000 plus seat stadiums. (I should add that the Chippewas played the Wolverines closer than theNotre Dame Fighting Irish). Expect this one to be close for a while, but I think Central Michigan's passing attack eventually blows it up.
PICK: Central Michigan

December 27 - Emerald Bowl: Florida State (+4.5) UCLA
FSU doesn't deserve to be in a bowl game. Meanwhile, UCLA has to be flying high right now. The USC game alone should tell us that UCLA should roll in this one. Plus how many times has a college football team been able to say they beatUSC and Florida State in the same season? (and remember they should have beaten the Irish this year) Of course, the question is how many points will or can they score? If UCLA can't get to 17 points,FSU will cover. I really have no clue about this one... two really good Ds, so I'll take the points and probably live to regret it.
PICK: Florida State

RECORD THUS FAR:
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A Team We Would Totally Root For

In our hearts, Wisconsin is number one on the football field. But #2 is always the Jesuit 11 from Boston College.

When it comes to filling out brackets in March, there is nothing we love more than filling out a bracket that advances every Jesuit university to the Final Four (last year featured Xavier, Gonzaga, Marquette, Boston College, and Georgetown; and we'll give 'Nova some love just 'cus they're Catholic too).

And now we read that Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone totally wants to start a Serie A team in the Vatican. Seriously, how great would that be?(btw, Cardinal Bertone is the Secretary of State of the Holy See... and better looking than Condi Rice -- ZING!)

They've got the money and you know there would be a bunch of really good players that would love to play for the Church. Not only that, what Italian, Polish, or Irish American wouldn't root for these guys?

This totally needs to happen. Vatican FC.

And how great would any European match up between Vatican FC and a English or some German clubs be? The singing would be fantastic. In fact we can hear it now, as Man U makes the trip down to the Holy See in the second leg of a Champions League match: "Fuck the Protestants!"

Pardon my French of course... this needs to happen. They'd become the #1 team in our hearts.

This Is a Boring Post, but I say Pinochet!

Ugh, I've got nothing right now...

I've started making my year end lists, but I'm going to hold off on those till after Christmas. I guess I could start doing some NCAA Bowl picks, but I've got to study those games first... I don't have anything to say about the Hot Stove League other than it's been insane.

In the news... Bush still sucks and needs everything to go right for him inorder for him to avoid going down as one of the worst Presidents in US history... Things for Tony Blair keep getting worse, but I'm not totally sure what he did other than the few headlines and bylines I've read.

The passing of Pinochet caught my eye and I've read a decient amout about that. He's one of those guys that you could write a biography and call it "The Strange Career of Augusto Pinochet " (excuse me Woodward). Weird life and career... basically a 'nothing' in the Chelian army for years, the rises in rank, leads a coup to take power from the democracically elected Marxist government, has a bunch of people killed, instead of following a nationalistic economic policy he opens lends his ears to a few economists from the University of Chicago (including Milton Freedman) and opens up the economy there, those economic policies would eventually lead to Chile becoming the strongest and richest economy in Latin America, and after 16 years, he holds an election, loses, and for some reason decides to step down. But he stays on in the government as a military head despite being suspected of murder and corruption, is arrested in London in 1998 on international charges, almost brought to trial, sent back to Chile, almost brought to trial, and dies. What a Strange Career.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I'm in DC for the week... it's DC. And even though I'm glad I'm out of here, I must say, I forgot how much I enjoy DC at twightlight. I'm not sure why it's different here compared to anywhere else, but it's pretty. The air sems clearer and the city itself seems a bit more clam. As if it's taking a deep breath and finally letting it out. And this town isn't the busiest, New York and Chicago are filled with more urgency and hussle and bussle, but DC adds stress and since just about everyone thinks their job is more important than it really is... well, twightlight is that time of the day when people are home and for a few seconds that stress disapears.

And at twighlight the sky is a bit more clear, things seem a bit crisper. It also turns from the sky blue to an orange red to navy blue. The lights in the houses start being flicked on. It's just a good feeling in a city that in some areas is souless, lacking character, and takes it self too serious.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I'll say it, I really hate it when people refer to the Red Sox as the Sox. The Sox are the team from Chicago. The Red Sox are from Boston. I don't know, it just bothers me. I feel better having said that.

Oh and I'm watching the Falcons and the Cowboys on the NFL Network as we speak and it just feels weird. The game, the production, the picture, and Bryant Gumbel sounds like someone is pinching his nose. It's weird. And it's very poorly put together. I'll take NBC's Sunday Night broadcasts any day of the week.

Okay one of these days I'll have something a lot more interesting and pointed to say.

Bush's Word, or lack there of...

I was reading an article in the Economist about Turkey and the EU the other day about what Turkey needs to do to join the EU, if the EU wants Turkey to join, why is the EU resisting Turkish membership, and all that jazz (this is another topic entirely). Right now things don’t look so good for Turkish membership. It seems like the big EU nations would like Turkey to accept a “privileged partnership.” Yeah, I’m sure the Turkish government is going to love that idea.

So the Turks have turned to the United States. And the US, wanting Turkey to join the EU, is diplomatically going to do what it can to help Turkey. And that means getting President Bush to place calls to various EU members on behalf of Turkey.

And I was reading that and thinking… is that who you really want lending a helping hand right now? Isn’t that a bit like having Arthur Anderson do your accounting?

I just shook my head, not in disgrace, but in pure, and utter, disappointment. Who’s going to listen to Bush right now? Of course these countries have to, because the US is always the billion pound gorilla in the room. It’s not that you can just ignore the US - we’re too big, too rich, too powerful to write off.

But at the same time, Bush’s voice on the world stage is all but useless at this point. The rest of the world’s view of the US is pretty negative. As one foreign diplomat put it over Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics, they have no chance. “Your president is a disaster.” SITE

And that’s yet another tragedy in this Eff-up called Iraq. Not only did Bush openly “lie” or “mislead” the country about Iraq’s WMDs, Iraq’s threat to world “peace”, and then all the prisoner abuse and probable torture of other detainees - he also lied to the world. As the bodies continue to pile up and things go from bad, to worse, to chaos, to anarchy; everything is placed upon the US and Bush.

There is no creditability to anything that Bush says to over half of this country. And Bush’s creditability around the world is probably even worse. Why believe anything Bush’s says? Why listen to anything that comes from Bush’s mouth? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

I was eating lunch with a classmate who’s from another country and 9/11 came up. The person I was eating with suggested that maybe the people behind 9/11 weren’t who we believe it was, in other words that they weren’t members of Al Qeada and bin Laden had nothing to do with it. Of course a suggestion like that is incorrect (and I told the person so, saying that the 19 highjackers all had connection to Al Qeada and bin Laden. “But how do you know? Bush lied about Iraq after all.” I reminded them that bin Laden and Al Qeada did take responsibility for the attacks).

We have two more years of this. Two more years of Bush traveling around like that kid who no one likes, but has to hang out with because his sister is hot or his older brother is cool (you know, like Roger Clinton). Two more years of phone calls from Bush to other leaders that feature a lot of ‘yeahs’ and ‘uhuns’. Two more years of zero creditability from our President on the world stage. Two years of diplomatic and political waste and stagnation.

This is when I wish life featured a fast forward button. Or a rewind… only this time I can help the morons in Washington not waste the opportunity they had to make the world a better place. (And in a way, this might be the greatest tragedy of all when looking back at the Bush administration).

Oh, and Turkey might want to consider having someone else place those phone calls for them. I wonder if Bill Clinton is up to anything?

Bears and Rams on Monday Night!

It's not every day that you get to watch your favorite team, at 10-2, play on Monday Night Football while wondering who your quarterback is going to be in the second half. But that's what we've got going tonight with the Bears down in St. Louis. I don't think I need to tell anyone that Bears starting QB, Rex Grossman, is under a lot of heat here in Chicago about his poor play. And that might lead to him being yanked if he stinks up the joint. Personally, I don't think that's going to happen - I like the Bears 27-13 tonight. But to really get a feel for it, I thought, hey let's keep a minute-by-minute report. And if this game isn't interesting, then I'm totally buying this tonite... a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader FATHEAD!

7:18pm CST- And we are coming to you LIVE from the parents house here on the near west side of Chicago! While we here at VFLOAB feel a bit uncomfortable outside of the South Side, we'll deal if for no other reason than the 'rents have HDTV. The TV is tuned to the Science Channel and a program on Mongolia, err, Genghis Khan. I actually sort of want to go to Mongolia. HA! They just show a clip from a Mongolian movie on GK which feature him shooting someone with an arrow... and the guy he nailed just sort of went "Ohhh... five... four... three... two... one... fall!" This is getting me pumped for Monday Night Football.

7:22 - No one says Marc Bulgher quite like Rachel Nichols.

7:28 - Who doesn't love JACKED UP! But can someone tell me why the JACKED UPS! stink this year?

7:30 - Obama is doing the MNF opening... I'm speechless. And I know you would never have guessed, but it was lame on top of it. At least he laughed at the end.

7:31 - Jim Belushi does the video opening... I will now light myself on fire.

7:34 - When it comes to sports this year, I think 2006 will go down as the year that Tony Kornheiser lost his mojo. His stuff on MNF is too cute and it's not that funny. What a shame. He has so much TUP (tremendous upside potential) a few months ago... now... he's just well a Tantalizer.

7:41 - And we have kickoff... Hester the Molester takes it to the 28. He's has to be one of the most exciting players in the NFL this year.

7:43 - It's third and a passing down for the Bears and Grossman completes the pass! And a generous spot gets the Bears the first... nice.

7:52- The Bears and Rams exchange punts and my mom asks me if conservatives are on the left. I then explain to her the political spectrum highlighted by me saying that communism is on the far left. "Really? I always thought Communists were conservative."

7:55 - After making a decent pass that Barrian catches, but out of bounce, Grossman scrambles for a first down for a nice 22 yard gain... and then he holds on to the ball, takes the hit, but gets the ball to Jones who takes the screen for 20 yards or so. This is fantastic start for Rex.

7:59 - Robbie Gould misses the field goal and the Bears don't get any points out of a decent drive. Bummer.

8:09 - The Bears just punted the ball even though they have the ball 4th and 6 on the Rams 35 yard line. Why? The good new is they're able to down the punt on the one. I still disagree with the decision. Not much is happening in this game... just punts, a few nice passes from Grossman, and commericals! Lots and lots of commericals!

8:16 - As Theismann praises Bulger, the Rams put together a nice drive. I really really don't like Joe Theismann. And even thought I lived a few blocks from his resturant last year, I never went. And I'm a better person for it.

8:22 - 4th and 1 on the Bears 26, the Rams go for it... and not only to they get the first down, they take the ball to the one. I smell a goal line stand.

8:24 - Bulger to Holt for six... and the Rams then screw up the snap on the extra point. Unfortunately, the NFL hating America, does not allow blocked/botched extra points or two point conversions to go the other way. Does anything have dumber rules than the NFL? Well besides the tax code.

8:28 - After being beat on Holt's touchdown, Devin Hester takes the kickoff to the house after making two nice moves and then just runs faster than everyone else. My Lord is he fast. That's his fifth TD of the year... and btw, Hester might be the best pick of the 2006 Draft. I'm not kidding. Him and Vince Young have to be neck and neck right now... 7-6 Bears.

8:33 - I would just like to point out that Gil Meche is getting paid 11 million bucks a year. That's more than any of the starters on the White Sox. And Gil Meche wouldn't start on the Sox. That's just insane.

8:35 - After starting a little slow, the Rams have put together two nice drives against the Bears D. The Bears seem to miss Nathan Vashuer more than Tommie Harris.

8:38 - Touchdown Rams... the Bears looked like crap. What is going on?

8:41 - Jim Belushi is in the booth... ugh. Has anyone, I mean anyone, taken advantage of his brother's death like Jim Belushi? I'm sure even Cain feels a little drity watching Belushi.

8:46 - "Get him [Belushi] out of there, sigh." - Dad.

8:48 - Grossman hits Berrian on the slant, Belushi pulls a Tom Thayer in the radio booth by cheering him on, and Berrian takes it to the house. 14-13 Bears. Kornhesier tells Belushi that he can't cheer on anyone in the press box... and Theismann, just to make sure that there is no fun in the press box, starts talking about football killing the mood. Can you imagine Theismann in a romantic situation? Actually, that might be sort of funny.

8:58 - Grossman is hit as he's starting to throw and the ball flys across the field... it looks like a fumble and the Rams recover. Crap. And now we go to the booth...

9:01 - As Mom and I debate how to classify a person as drunk (in a bit of an upset, I say when you wake up the next morning and are hungover, you drank to much, thus you were drunk. She fires back with "well if you didn't have anything in your stomach" an interesting counter point). The call is reversed and the Bears keep the ball with under two minutes remaining.

9:07 - In a bizarre two minute drill, the Rams are moving the ball down the field and features the refs keeping the clock running even though Bruce went out of bounce. Then Theismann claims that "Bulger is the most accurate passer in the league" and that the pass Bulger just threw to Bruce "a perfect pass." I might add Bruce did not catch that "perfect pass." I might also add that Theismann apperently only watches Rams games... Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Joe... do those names mean anything to you?

9:11 - Wilkins misses a 47 yard field goal to end the half. Bears lead 14-13 in a pretty entertaining half. And best of all, Grossman looks really good.

Some food for thought during Halftime:
- Freddy Adu is no longer on DC United... he's going to Salt Lake City.
- Bulls are playing the Pacers... (note: Bulls won last night).
- Alexander Ovechkin-Sidney Crosby, Sidney Crosby-Alexander Ovechkin. Easily the most underrated 'rivarly' in sports.
- Amazing but true, John Wayne portrayed Genghis Khan in a movie.
- Cool, there's a band called Breaking Ribs for Tom Thayer. Awesome.

9:27 - And the Bears kickoff to start the second half. (BTW, I rewound and the slowmoded the opening 'MNF' opening to see what was on Joe Perry's guitar... it's just some blonde... not that interesting unfortunately).

9:30 - Watched the Bulls during halftime, and I really enjoy watching that team. Sure it'd be a little more fun watching LeBron or Wade or Ike Howard every night, but as far as watching a team play good defense and at times exciting offensive basketball... well the Bulls more than fit the bill. Just an enjoyable team. And everyone loves enjoyable teams.

9:32 - In case you were wondering, www.itsthemirrors.com is taken by DLP. That kid sort of freaks me out in the Dakota Fanning sort of way in case you were wondering.

9:35 - Gorssman finds Muhammad two plays in a row for two nice gains. You can hear the "Moooooooseee" chants from the crowd. Lot of Bear fans at the game.

9:37 - After those two throws to Muhammad, Thomas Jones runs for 25 yards... and then goes 30 for the touchdown. That was easy. Really easy. The Rams may... be... broken... 21-13 Bears.

9:52 - Nothing happening... and then Andrian Peterson just took a screen pass about 40 yards stiff arming about five Ram defenders in the process. The Bears are lookin' really good. On yeah, and I was checking out this book: Searching for Bobby Orr .

9:54 - Nice throw from Grossman... and a great catch by Muhammad for a Bears touchdown, and this game is just about over. 28-13 Bears with 3 minutes left in the third. Hot.

10:02 - The Rams went three and out and now the Bears are starting to dominate. This game is going to get ugly... the Rams cannot stop the run and they're physically getting beat up on top of it.

10:09 - Touchdown Bears 35-13... I don't think the Rams are trying. And I'm sort of enjoying the booth tonight.

10:18 - It'd be cool if they just fast forwarded the rest of this game... the Bears are going to win. And the booth is going to talk about nothing the rest of the game. I'm going to e-mail people... unless you want me to talk about Pinochet's death.

10:21 - Mark Anderson comes in and sacks Bulger... and closelines him in the process. It was not an intential, but sort of violent, but part of football... this being the NFL, the ref threw a flag for unnecessary roughness. They might as well just put flags on the quarterback at this point.

10:25 - "I can't believe you type that fast! Do you make mistakes?" - Mom.

10:28 - Touchdown Rams... 35-20... 7:35 left in the game. Who cares.

10:31 - And Hester runs ANOTHER kickoff for a touchdown. Unbeliable! The guy is freakishly fast... he makes a subtle move, and then splits two guys twice and runs faster than everyone else for the touchdown. I'm not asking, I'm demanding, a race between Vick and Hester. "Good call on having them kick it deep, Joe. Good call." Kornheiser to Theismann. That was Classssicccccc.

10:38 - Dear ESPN, please fire Joe Theismann as soon as possible. And the Bears are flat out kicking the crap out of the Rams right now. Steamrolled as Kornheiser puts it.

10:42 - Another meaningless touchdown by the Rams, 42-27, Jackson's second. It doesn't mean anything in this game (both the over and the Bears plous 6 look safe). But for fantasy fans everywhere, that was probably a huge touchdown. Oh fantasy football, how you have changed all our lives. (If you care, I some how lost both games this week despite having above average weeks for both my teams... but you don't care).

10:48 - The Bears just got for a penalty for five guys in the backfield... I'm pretty sure the refts just made that up.

10:53 - As Hester almost picks off a tipped Bulger pass, Thesimann drops this on us, "I just get excited when he touches the ball." Okay that's not that funny, but I'm trying.

11:00 - Charles Tillman picks off Bulger for the game's first turnover with only a minute and change let... this game is OVER... and I'm out of here to go watch the Wire. Peace in the Middle East.

NFL Power Poll

On Friday Bill Simmons ranked, in his opinion, the top 32 teams in the NFL . As usual with Simmons it was enjoyable, on the target for the most part, and of course, gets caught up in too much hype. So we here atVFLOAB decided that it's time for us to give you the corrected power poll.

32. Detroit - I guess you could make a case for the Raiders or Bucs, but seriously, this team has been SO bad for SO long that they have to take the cake. At some point, you would figure, they'd win 7 games in a season. But you'd have to go back to 2000 for them to post more than 7 wins. Just a disgrace to the NFL.

31. Tampa Bay - Paging the Caddy... what is it about this team that destroys fantasy careers? First it was Clayton and now it's the Caddy. Both had nice rookie years. Both have been brutal since. What a shame.

30. Oakland - The fact that this team won two games is pretty amazing. They stink. But it goes to show how a decent D, on it's own, can win a few games for you.

29. Cleveland - This is yet another franchise that flat out sinks. Is it me, or does the NFL have more crap franchises than any other league? Baseball only has the Cubs, even though the Brewers, Pirates, Tigers (until last year) and Royals are attempting to join them. If you're a fan of the Browns, Texans, Cardinals, or Lions you have no hope. None. You're team will always suck.

28. Houston - Let's just fold this team. They've got a stupid name (Texans), they never win anything, they're fan base stinks (only the Jags fans could give them a run for their money insuckness)... seriously have you ever met a Texan fan? Just a lame franchise. A third team in New Jersey would be more interesting.

27. Arizona - This team is interesting only for fantasy reasons.

26. Green Bay - I really thought I'd enjoy "And ANOTHER bad interception thrown by Brett Favre" more this year, but Brett's let us all down. He hasn't be exciting and he hasn't been nearly as bad as he was last year. Just a disappointing year all around.

25. Washington - I haven't listened to SportsTalk 980 out of DC in a few months, but I venture to guess that the callers still believe that the Skins are going to make the playoffs. Why doesn't anyone talk about how insanely optimistic Redskin fans are? They're the NFL equivalent to Cub fans and about the only thing that people in DC agree upon. But no one talks about this. Anyway, I can't for the life of me figure out why they're so bad, but they are.

24. Buffalo - It's hard to feel much of anything about this team. Most uninteresting team in the NFL this year.

23. St. Louis - Unlike previous years the Rams aren't fun to watch. I miss Mike Martz.

22. San Fran - They can't stop anyone, but they can be fun to watch on offense. Of course, most of the time they aren't. But I'm looking forward to the 'rebirth' of the 49ers next year. And finally, last year Alex Smith looked like he might be theworst #1 draft pick of all time . The good news is that this year he's probably passed Tom Cousineau, Kenneth Simms, Aundray Bruce, Ki-Jana Carter, and Tim Couch. Next year hopefully he'll pass Courtney Brown, Steve Emtmann, and Vinny Testaverde.

21. Minnesota - I can't believe I took Joey Harrington over Brad Johnson.

20. Miami - I can't believe I picked Joey Harrington over Brad Johnson.

19. New York Jets - I'm sorry, this is not that good of a team. And it looks like they might even make the playoffs. As I said before, they're a 'scheme' and no talent. The type of team that if you don't say 'check' they'll take the ball and score in a pick up game. I HATE teams like this. Your 2006 New Jersey Jets!

18. Pittsburgh - You mean the worst Super Bowl Champions of all time are struggling the next year? You don't say!

17. Tennessee - On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most excited I could be, of how excited I am for the Vince Young Era, I'd put it at 8.5. TheLeBron Era came in at 9, The Reggie Bush Era was a 9.5, and The Rex Grossman Era was 4.

16. Philly - One thing I hate about Philly fans is how they're almost pissed off when a so-so Philly team wins. It's as if they miss the entire point of sports, which is that it's fun. Of course, they take it personal, so when the Birds come up just short, they'll be allpissy about it. Of course, the fact that their D is average and their starting QB is out of the year means that they're playing with the House's Money is lost on them. So Philly fans, just enjoy it.

15. Atlanta - I hate the Falcons. Seriously, you have the most exciting player who can do things that no one else has ever been able to do at quarterback and you try and turn him into a pocket passer. It makes no sense. None. Why, I mean, WHY?, would you try turn Vick into just a passer? Do the coaches not realize how fast he is? Why wouldn't they roll him out on every play? I just don't get it.

14. Denver - Good D... no QB. Blah.

13. Carolina - When does John Fox start getting some of the blame?

12. New York Giants - Happy Feet Eli returns for Thanksgiving once again! But this isn't a bad team, but it also isn't a very good team. And in the NFL today, if you can run a bit, throw once in a while, and play a little D... you are one of the better teams in the NFL and could sneak into a Division Championship. I love how the NFL rewards blah football.

11. Jacksonville - They're the Giants with even worse fans.

10. Kansas City - They've got two things that every NFL teams would kill for: Great home field advantage and Larry Johnson. And that makes them one of the 10 best teams in the NFL. Amazing.

9. Dallas - Tony Romo will implode in 7.... 6.... 5.... 4.... 3.... 2.... that's right, we're about a week or two away from everyone in the NFL figuring outRomo. Just like they figured out Grossman. (And remember how everyone and their mother was saying, 'let's not get too excited about Grossman, it's only been five games' yet no one is saying this about Romo... why?) And we started seeing it last week. In fact, compare Romo and Grossman's first seven games of the year... look a bit like the same QB don't they? Grossman has one really bad game that resume, but other than that, they might as well be the same QB. Unless Romo is the second coming of Tom Brady there's no way he'll keep this up. Because we all realize that the Cowboys can't run the ball that well right? And Owens is still on this team... Oh the joy when they finally implode. And come on, do you honestly believe that they could beat the Bears in Chicago right now? Grossman would have to put up a 10.3 QB rating for that to happen... (And thanks to the Polish Jesus for the Romo vs Grossman comparison).

8. New Orleans - Easily the most fun team to watch this year. And this was even before last week when you were trying to convince yourself that Bush was 'finally' going to break one,umm if you're like me. Unfortunately, they don't have a D.

7. New England - The Pats have Brady and the best coach in the NFL. Other than that... a rookie running back that gives them a little life, a so-so D. Yet they could end up in the Super Bowl. Amazing. The worst Pats team since 2001, which, might be a good thing now that I think about it, since they won the Super Bowl and all that year.

6. Seattle - I'm not sold on this team just yet. The way the Bears beat the crap out of them in week 4 (I know without Alexander) still scares me.

5. Baltimore - And falling... it's weird, no one talked about them when they were actually playing well. And now that they aren't, people are jumping on the band wagon.

4. Indy - They SHOULD be #1 but we all know that they're going crap the bed in the playoffs.

3. San Diego - They SHOULD be #1 but we all know that Marty is going to crap the bed in the playoffs. Also, if I was a Charger fan, I would be getting annoyed with all theseTomlinson touchdowns. First, you're just playing with the Devil any time you do this. The Fantasy Gods will seek revenge, usually with an injury. And secondly, if you're in that locker room after the game, and you just won 38-28 withTomlinson scoring five touchdowns, aren't you, in a way, getting a little annoyed? It's like Marty goes out of his way to get LT touchdowns. This can't keep happening. Plus, as I said, Marty is going to blow this.

2. Cincinnati - As long as Palmer, Johnson, Johnson, and Houshe stay away from any run ins with the law, it really doesn't matter. This team is pretty darn good and peaking at the right time. Sure they're going to have to go on the road in the playoffs, but they're more balanced than the Colts and Ravens; they should be able to handle the Pats... all they need to do is not give up 389 points in a half to the Chargers.

1. Chicago - Look, they're going to get home field advantage. The NFC isn't that good as it is. I would guess they end up playing the Saints andSeahawks... they should win both of those games. And then they're in the Super Bowl. The question of course, is Grossman . Is he going to play as badly as he did last week against Minnesota? Probably not. But this team can run the ball, they have the best defense and special teams in the NFL. All they need fromGrossman is to be fine. Unfortunately, Grossman only plays great or poorly. When he plays great the Bears win 42-6. When he plays poorly they win 20-13. I like their chances.