My Republican Predictions For The New Year

In the waning days of Republican rule, we are able to hear the anxious groans and the non-sensical mutterings from the conservative extremists in America. But that is not the last that we will hear from this loud and misguided group. Conservatives are about to assume their natural role in American politics, that of the minority. Republicans are much more entertaining when placed in their natural habitat.

I suspect we will see more "family value" candidates being churned out of this party. Louder calls for a "return" to American principles and more flag lapel pins (otherwise known as Republican Flare). Bibles will be in one hand and grand-daddy's shotgun in the other. Conservatives will scream about national security and every policy that seeks to balance American interests with that of other nations.

The Conservative thought police that plague the airwaves of AM radio, will spit out half truths so their legions of Bible/Gun carrying minions may spread those lies without restraint. Fox Noise will parade a steady stream of former Bush Administration cronies to "spread the conservative agenda". A recruitment process for non-white republicans will begin in earnest, no doubt headed by LA. Govenor Jindal and Alan Keyes.

Now that the conservatives are back in their familiar surroundings, we must remeber 3 things:

1. Don't expose them to sunlight-----> Dick Cheney
2. Don't let them near water---------> Donald Rumsfeld
3. Never feed them after midnight-----> Karl Rove

Whats life without a little Israeli Aggression

Now that Israel has begun the ground assault on Gaza life in the Middle East is back to normal.

1.) Israel will receive condemnation from Arab states and try to position itself in the role of victim to Palestinian Terrorism.
2.) Palestinian terrorists can play their customary role of martyrs.
3.) The U.S. will support Israel blindly and use this "new conflict" to direct more attention on Iranian puppets such as Hamas.

All is right in the world again...

What The Sugar Bowl Means

I would have to classify myself as a serious sports fan but not a rabid sports junkie. I attend 2-5 sporting events each year at most, never paint myself in my teams colors and only don a baseball cap or cheap t-shirt with my teams logo. All the major sports leagues I watch on t.v. (including soccer) but only those that are already part of the satellite package I have purchased. I might purchase the NHL Season Pass on DirectTV only because it costs less than purchasing 2 beers, nachos and a hot dog at any sports venue in the country.

With the Utah Utes (my team, my school) playing in a BCS bowl game this year I really wanted to find a way to get to New Orleans to support the team, be part of the event and of course participate in the debauchery that is Burbon Street. Unfortunatly the total cost of doing so would well exceed my disposable income for the next several pay periods.

My estimated travel costs for 2 days are: $450.00 airfare, $175.00 pp/nite for 2 nites (this assumes I get my own bed and the hotel is within the state of Louisiana), transportation/food/drink $278.21 (based upon personal experience in New Orleans) and the ticket is $175.00 (this amount means I'm only within viewing distance of the game and watch most of it from the Jumbo-tron in the Superdome)....GRAND TOTAL=$1,078.21

After reading reports in the Salt Lake Tribune about Ute fans not shelling out a mortgage payment for the chance to see this event and that the Univeristy of Utah might have to pick up the tab for any tickets that were alloted to the University and not sold, I did not feel guilty. Even after taking some good natured ribbing from BYU fans who say that I'm only a fair weather fan (I dispute that charge because I watch my teams play on t.v. even on cloudy days) for not physically supporting the Utes, I feel even less guilty.

BYU fans take great pride in their team and they do seem to travel around the country to support their cougars in larger fashion than Ute fans. Some of that zeal BYU fans have, I believe is directly attributable to a missionary like feeling to represent their school yes but also their choice of church. It's not just two opposing football programs for many BYU fans but a chance to broaden the exposure of the LDS church. I imagine that a chance to goto Sin City (the Las Vegas Bowl) must have made BYU fans feel similiar to that of a Christian Knight during the crusades. Sword in hand, full of zeal and fighting with a purpose to spread the word of God to the heathens. Storming the walls of Las Vegas was insurmountable this year for the kittens.

I have a good feeling for my Ute team tomorrow and will be watching from my living room on my 47" LCD (in HD), eating nachos, drinking adult beverages and enjoying the scenes from The Sugar Bowl. Win or lose we still busted the BCS, BYU but not my wallet.....GO UTES!!

Making Peace With The Myth Believers

Having Rick Warren perform President Obama's swearing in ceremony is politics at it's best. Obama knew this would infuriate the hard core liberals but is hoping to gain some political capital from the right-wing nuts for the legislation he wishes to pursue in the coming years.

I don't subscribe to the belief that by offering an olive branch to the myth believing extremists of America that our social policy will be enhanced by including them in the national debate. Myth believers such as Sarah Palin, Rick Warren, Glen Beck and Mitt Romney cannot be reasoned with because their political platforms are underpinned in an adherence to myth, believing that God has bestowed them with unique abilities to lead America. Not unlike Iran's Ahmadinejad.

Conservative's locked anyone with a liberal leaning idea out of the political process since 1994, ecspecially from 2000-2006 and now is not the time to assuage Conservatives feelings. The extremists of the republican party were rebuked in 2006 and in 2008. Obama is keeping his promise to be inclusive but I hope it is not at the expense of his own party.