Posted 1:43 PM by Todd

I DON'T BELIEVE IT; BUSH IS A DISGRACE

"The war against Iraq" has apparently been called off.

If this report from the Washington Post is accurate then George W. Bush has disgraced his country in a manner far more seirous than anything even contemplated by the Republicans' nemisis, William Jefferson Clinton. If it is true that Bush has called the whole thing off - when the risks of delay and inaction are so high, when the American public is united in calling for action, when overwhelming victory would be virtually assured - simply to pacify blood-thirsty Arab dictators and win the temporary praise of egghead Europeans - then he will be judged as a disgraceful coward not just by history but also by the just God that he supposedly believes in.

The way that this administration has behaved these past few months is appaling. Most Americans - including nearly every conservative in the book - have turned their eyes away from the embarassing events of 2002 (the anti-constitutional campaign reform act, the budget-busting farm bill, the anti-consumer steel quotas, the dithering and moral capitulation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) for one and only ONE reason - action against Saddam Hussein, bringing the seeds of democracy and freedom into the heart of the Middle East in the same way that we deposed the medieval Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Giving up the fight against Hussein for what reason? To win the smiles of Prince Abdullah in Saudi Arabia? To earn cheap praise from French pseduo-intellectuals, who have made a book claiming that the September 11 attacks were perpetrated by the U.S. military a best-seller?

And what makes this cave-in all the more dispicable is that American lives are at stake. Yo George, you want to sign the farm bill throwing millions of dollars at already wealthy agricultural companies? Fine. Whatever. My wallet is ligher but at least no one gets killed. Allowing one of the world's most-powerful madmen to bide his time as he prepares to make war on thousands - if not millions - of American civilians, that is a moral crime that would make Neville Chamberlain blush.

I'd go on but I have work to do.

While America sleeps...

While America sleeps...

-Todd

Posted 11:23 PM by Daniel
****Todd's Baseball Predictions****

Todd! Your latest predictions are the first time you've given the AL Central to Minnesota. You have no idea what a tear of satisfaction and humility this brings to my eye! :) *sob* *sob* I'm so proud of my Twins.

Did some practice shooting today for the first time in my life. We used laser lights against computer targets in the classroom. My aim needs some serious work, but what do you expect, I just started. I also learned how to load a magazine! I never knew those things were reusable.

As for hairy chests, I don't have too hairy a chest, but I do have a hairy tummy. Do women find that attractive?

Ewok Dan

Posted 2:26 PM by Todd

BROTHER'S KEEPER

Could "this guy" be the next Jesse Ventura?

-Todd

Posted 2:22 PM by Todd
HEALTH CARE ITALIAN-STYLE

So much for the quality of "health care" in socialist countries. "Psst, it's not even free; you have to pay for it in higher taxes. Don't tell Guido."

-Todd

Posted 2:18 PM by Todd

JFK IS BACK!

I don't think John F. Kerry, the Senator from Massachusetts, has a prayer of becoming President, but he's definitely a contender for the Democratic nomination. If you're interested in learning more about him, click "here."

-Todd

Posted 2:16 PM by Todd

UPDATED PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2002 ELECTIONS

Compared to most presidents, George W. Bush is poised to have an excellent midterm election.

I project the Republicans to re-take the Senate, gaining seats in South Dakota and Minnesota, while holding onto the House (a net loss of only 2 seats there). In the governor's races, it'll be a better outcome for the Democrats as they score a net gain of seven seats, including the big prizes of Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

In 2004, I now have Al Gore capturing the Democratic nomination setting the stages for a Bush-Gore rematch in the fall. This time, Bush wins by fourteen points, 56% to 42%. Republicans keep both Houses of Congress.

I know "Patrick" hates to hear this, but in 2008, Jeb Bush will be the Republican nominee and triumph over Hillary Rodham Clinton to succeed his brother in the White House.

I think that a hundred years from now political scientists will be very intrigued by our current "Bush-Clinton" era. Think of it: In 1992, Bush Senior lost to Clinton Senior. Then in 2000, Bush Junior beat Clinton Junior (otherwise known as Al Gore, the Vice President). Then in 2004, Bush Junior beats Clinton Junior again. Then in 2008 Bush Junior's Brother beats Clinton's Wife.

It's like we have two monarchies fighting for supremacy in the world's oldest democracy.

-Todd

Posted 2:01 PM by Todd

HAIRY CHESTS

A harmless comment by my friend Erica has me contemplating the cultural signifcance of hairy chests.

Basically, as a moderately-hairy-chested young heterosexual male, I'm irked by the the fact that advertisers (managed, let's admit it, by women and gay men) glamorize men with hairless chests. What is even more irksome is that many otherwise-intelligent women have bought into this fraudulent ideal of male beauty.

It just doesn't make sense to me: Look, for biological reasons or whatever, we tend to like these things in the opposite sex that express their "maleness" or "femaleness." I mean, let's face it, men like breasts. Why? Because we don't have any, women do, and we like women. It's as simple as that. Same thing for hips or long hair and a bunch of other stuff.

Now, I'll let in on a secret: Women don't have hairy chests. I've seen them (in movies, and occasionally, in real-life). But men do. And women like men. So what's the story here, gals? For a woman to like men with hairless chests is biologically counter-intuitive and in the long-run suicidal for our species.

I thing this is a big issue that's ready to explode politically.

Thoughts?

-Todd

Posted 1:50 PM by Todd
TODD IS ALIVE

A message to all my friends, family, and fans (admittedly, only about five of you): I am still alive. My two-week absense has been a nausiating (sp?) combination of long workdays and cranky moods. But with the completion of our first "Election Watch" session this afternoon, I am cautiously optimistic that the future will be brighter and blander.

Onto the world of baseball. Updated predictions for all boys and girls...

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Minnesota
AL West: Seattle
AL Wild Card: Boston

NL East: Atlanta
NL Central: Houston
NL West: Arizona
NL Wild Card: San Francisco

World Series: Actually NO World Series (on account of a strike). But if the baseball gods (i.e., Bud Selig and Don Fehr) show any sense, I'll take the Yankees over Arizona in a five-game rematch.

And in fantasy baseball news, I'm still stuck in seventh place.

Oh, the humanity...

-Todd

Posted 8:08 PM by Daniel
****Academy Starts Today****

I started the Skills portion of my Law Enforcement training today. This will last 10 weeks. I can't believe I've started, I've waited for it to begin for so long! Today I learned how to draw a gun from the holster properly. I'm still getting the hang of it. My technique is more Mayberry than LAPD. But with practice comes perfection and I hope to exorcise any similarities I may have to Barney Fife.

In two weeks I'll already be practicing traffic stops! Can't wait.

Dan

Posted 12:07 PM by David
**David H.**

Todd! It has been a while since we've talked and since I've posted so just a few thoughts for today:

Yes, the Red Sox are playing but being the pessimistic fan that I am, just a couple of things need to be mentioned: Tony Clark's woefully batting stats, Hillenbrand playing way above where he should be and will probably come back down to Earth in the second half, Pedro being dominant but also leading the AL in run support and a very soft early season schedule for the Sox. Admittedly they have played well against NY, Seattle, and Oakland. Let's hope it continues...

I agree with your NBA predictions though I think LA will take the series in 5 games actually. They then will bet New Jersey but in a suprising 6 games. Politics, well there's too much to discuss at this point, and will leave to when I have a bit more time. If you are curious about my fantasy baseball, currently in 4th, though a very banged up roster as I have Jason Johnson, Paul Abbott, Brad Radke, David Segui, Shawn Wooten and Jeff Zimmerman on the DL. This is no joke, but this morning to replace some of these injuries I was forced to pick the best available players...who were they? Jose Nieves (utility infielder for Anaheim), Antonio Osuna (middle reliever for Chicago), and Ryan McGuire (1B/DH for Baltimore). Like I said, these were the best players available.....