Mini-break

I got money for Christmas. My laptop got a little virus for Christmas, a gift presumably from a Satanic minion who didn't approve of my third annual holiday post. Although far from devastating (keep yo' anti-virus updated y'all), I've decided a brief hiatus to regroup and recharge is in order so I can hit 2012 squarely in the mouth.

Thanks for the comments, emails and visits to my little corner of the Internet-connected world. I'll return in about a week. Cheers.

What part of CHRISTmas do you not understand?

c/o Credo House Ministries

Instead of the usual Sunday’s Quote, I’ve opted to republish the same piece I’ve posted on this day for each of the past three years. . .

I could bloviate about those who seek to eliminate any trace of Christianity – or at least, the authentic criterion thereof – from the national landscape, just as I could reference any number of acts committed by the secular Left in the name of “separation of church and state” as if the phrase was pulled from the Constitution itself. But I will resist.

I could foil the pugilist with a comprehensive assessment, almost pretentious in length, regarding “separation of church. . .” (among other things) from Supreme Court decisions that were taken from their originally intended context to endorse a “progressive” disposition that concedes to practically anything but Christendom. Yet I will abstain.

Eschatology of the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant creeds warn the Believer about agreeable-sounding pontificators who employ abstract reasoning fused with arguments that take aim (in the seemingly nicest possible way) at the very axioms they hold most sacred; a ploy most commonly achieved by admonishing the born-again, yet inattentive adherent to yield to every outlandish form of pluralism for the sake, and in the name of, tolerance.

Even more, far too many Christians have become more consumed with what's “cool” instead of keeping their focus upon what is right (something to which I can truly relate), essentially abandoning the substance of their beliefs – and thus, depreciating the sacrifices made by those who came before us – because they became fearful of false characterizations by a faction that unabashedly hates the Truth for which we are called to give our lives if necessary.

I’m beating this war drum because of a slowly growing entente that abates the less passionate into submission with half-truths, platitudes, and double standards while laboring to dilute, or redefine, our long-established values that are almost entirely based upon the Holy Scriptures. And thus it may not be much longer before opposing the coalition of enlightened, altruistic, open-minded sojourners of egalitarianism will be deemed a “hate crime.”

So say Merry Christmas while you still can. The clock is ticking.

A warm fire and something to ponder

Editorial Sketch of the Week: If the Nation could sit on Santa’s lap. . .

© Jerry Holbert, Boston Herald

Vintage ‘bama fans

Here’s an exhibition of a little too much school spirit, including the requisite Bear Bryant houndstooth tribute – typical among the Tuscaloosa faithful. Love the stripper heels, by the way.

c/o Losers With Socks

Sunday’s Quote: O’ the value of obscure sources

Note: Don’t bother reading if you’re of any Left-leaning orientation, as the following will almost certainly result in a convulsion.

I recently stumbled across a treasure trove of books I didn’t know were in my possession. By chance I turned to the epilogue of the first one I picked up, saw a 60-year-old picture of Ronald Reagan, and read a tribute that reflects the central thesis of what made our country special while validating how far the entertainment industry has fallen from the beaten path.

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“The American image is still one that celebrates freedom, space, and opportunity. It turns sour, as it has in contemporary films, when those virtues are denied or perverted. Today’s Hollywood is quick to exploit the sourness, the disillusion, and the cynicism, but for all that Americans still like to think of themselves in terms of John Wayne. Wayne took a rapping from youngsters in the seventies, but as those youngsters have grown older they tend to share the regret that the Duke is gone. The mood of America as it entered the eighties was markedly conservative.

“The election of Ronald Reagan to the highest office in the land is an affirmation of the American return to conservatism. Reagan himself was of the generation of the Hollywood macho giants. He came from that age of American innocence in which a man could make it on his way – without government help or hindrance, by God! Reagan was well in line with the good old American image. He came from a working family, worked his way through college, excelled at football, got a job as a sports announcer in small-time radio, and worked his way up.  . . .

“What could be more American? The story of Ronald Reagan is itself like a Hollywood movie of the Golden Age. The fact that the American public elected him is strong evidence of an almost desperate yearning for the images of the American past. The fact that such a yearning exists gives hope that all is not lost. The Spirit of ’76 may be battered, but it is not moribund.”
– from Hollywood and the American Image [1981] by Tony Thomas

Editorial Sketch of the Week: “Progressives,” then and now

© Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant

On This Day in History

c/o Library of Congress

AD 37 – Nero, fifth Emperor of the Roman Empire, was born in present-day Anzio, Italy. Known for a reign filled with excessiveness and despotism, Nero is also noted for seemingly countless executions, including those of his mother, his stepbrother, and many of the early Christians against whom he placed blame for the Great Fire of Rome. With assassination all but imminent, Nero committed suicide in AD 68, bringing the 54-year rule of Julio-Claudian dynasty to an end.

1791 – Authored and introduced to the 1st United States Congress by James Madison as the limitations on our government in regard to personal liberties, the first 10 Amendments to the United States Constitution (better known as the Bill of Rights, pictured) became law when ratified by the Virginia General Assembly, providing the three-fourths needed by the States to make it official.

1939 – Gone with the Wind premiered at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. The film earned 10 Academy Awards (a record that stood for 20 years) and is ranked sixth in the American Film Institute’s list of the Top 100 Best American Films of All Time. It was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry in 1989.

1966 – Walt Disney died in Burbank, California 10 days after his 65th birthday.

1973 – Facing pressure from members of the Gay Liberation Front and psychiatrist/gay rights activist Ronald Bayer, among others, the Board of Trustees of the American Psychiatric Association voted 13-0 to remove homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

The APA, for the record, has been criticized (more than once) for employing an inferior diagnostic process in lieu of a more unempirical structure that elevates the opinions of the prominent few. Author and psychiatrist Dr. William Glasser has referred to the DSM as “phony diagnostic categories,” arguing that “it was developed to help psychiatrists . . . make money.”

2001 – The Leaning Tower of Pisa was reopened to the public after 11 years and $27,000,000 to fortify it, without fixing its famous slant (3.97 degrees, or 3.9 meters). Engineers expect the nearly 700-year-old freestanding bell tower to remain stable for another 200 years.

2005 – The parliament of Latvia (northeast Europe) amended its national constitution with Article 110, formally eliminating same-sex couples from being entitled to marry and adopt.

Information initially obtained from Wikipedia; confirmed and revised (when necessary) through various sources.

Just Thinking Out Loud: Coherent misanthrope

While taking inventory of my interpersonal experiences over the past decade or so, I have concluded that far too many have been a lot like this. . .

The Iron Lady speaks

The UK’s first (and still only) female Prime Minister arrived in 1979 determined to reverse a “precipitous national decline” similar to the one encroaching our nation today. And she succeeded. So take a moment to observe the manner and conviction in which The Right Honourable Margaret Thatcher responded to the opposition during her final Q&A in the British House of Commons on November 22, 1990 – and then consider how these brief exchanges compare to the debate raging here in America today.

“Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope.”
– Margaret Thatcher; May 4, 1979

Sunday’s Quote: The Founders speak to us still

Many among the Left – American Atheists and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, for example – have mastered the art of taking the Founders out of context. Off-base references to Madison’s Remonstrance is a perfect example. Yet they tend to leave out the portion below.

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“We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self government [sic]; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.”
– James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution” and fourth President of the United States, from A Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments; June 20, 1785

Picture credit: James Madison University

Editorial Sketch of the Week: The Fairness Doctrine, ver. 2.0

Here’s the bottom line when Obama talks about “fairness” – something he will do at length (ad nauseam) over the next 10-11 months.

© Eric Allie

Iconic Shot: Still the Kings

Metallica recently observed their 30-year anniversary as one of the heaviest Rock/Metal groups ever to break into the mainstream. The picture below, shot in the Yucca Corridor of Los Angeles, was taken amid the earliest days of the “Black Album” era just as they hit a level of international success which, 20 years later, shows no sign of fading.

While the genre they epitomize presently lounges in a state of disarray, we can always expect Hetfield & Co. to set the standard by which all others will be judged.

© Metallica, via their “Through the Years” Facebook album

From disheartened to righteously fortified

About two years ago, not long after his infamous bow to Emperor Akihito, a Japanese reporter asked President Obama if the U.S. was right for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

That's an interesting (read: loaded) question. Let’s review.

In an attack that was intended to intimidate the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions the Empire was planning against Europe, and ultimately the United States, Japanese aircraft carriers launched over 350 fighters, bombers and torpedo planes on the morning of December 7, 1941 in an assault on the Hawaiian island of Oahu that was nothing short of devastating.

In all, the Japanese smashed, wrecked and demolished three cruisers, three destroyers and 188 aircraft. All eight battleships docked at Pearl Harbor were also damaged, half of which were sunk. Six of the eight, however, were raised (when necessary), repaired and returned to service during the War.  Yet the greatest cost was paid in blood, as 1,282 Americans were wounded and 2,402 of our finest were killed.

Instead of ducking the aggressor, we knuckled up. FDR informed the Allied powers that America was officially all-in. The Stars and Stripes jumped into the fire, kicked more than our share of Axis ass (at no small cost by any measure) and led the drive to bring this worldwide struggle to an end nearly four brutal years later, sending Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan to the guillotine.

I don’t exactly recall how Obama responded to the reporter. I’m sure our President – who’s developed a reputation for apologizing on behalf of the nation he represents – offered an answer that was both nice and diplomatic. But for those who feel such questions and apologies have become redundant, it seems the American response to the events that occurred 70 years ago today require no justification at all.


Picture credit: The battleship U.S.S. West Virginia is engulfed in flames after the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 70 years ago today; c/o The National Archives via AFP/Getty Images and USA Today

E/C’s College Football Top 10, Week 14

Louisiana State demonstrated why they are the top ranked team in the nation once again with a second half surge against Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game that buried any hope for an upset. The Tigers’ interdivision rivals from Tuscaloosa are the only ones who stand a chance to stop this freight train. But the next time these two teams get together, on January 9, it will be in New Orleans. And it’s difficult at this point to imagine LSU getting beat in their backyard. Advantage: Bayou Bengals.

Among the rest, Virginia Tech – possibly the weakest third-ranked team in history – got exposed by Clemson for the second time in the ACC title game. Houston, despite the Cougars’ first 12-win season ever, lost by three touchdowns in Conference USA title game to Southern Mississippi. They fall from the Top 10 as a result and are replaced by Wisconsin and Kansas State.

LSU, of course, are your regular season champions. The final Top 10 will be released the day after 'bama/LSU go final.

1. Louisiana State (def. Georgia. 42-10), 13-0, 680 pts.
2. Alabama (Bye), 11-1, 605 pts.
3. Oklahoma State (def. Oklahoma, 44-10), 11-1, 570 pts.
4. Oregon (def. UCLA, 49-31), 11-2, 545 pts.
5. Stanford (Bye), 11-1, 525 pts.
6. Boise State (def. New Mexico, 45-0), 11-1, 510 pts.
7. Arkansas (Bye), 10-2, 435 pts.
8. Wisconsin (def. Michigan State, 42-39), 11-2, 425 pts.
9. Southern California (def. UCLA, 50-0), 10-2, 370 pts.
10. Kansas State (def. Iowa State, 30-23), 10-2, 335 pts.

E/C’s Heisman Ballot

1. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor – 4,642 total yards, 45 TD, 192.3 QB rating [led nation]
2. Matt Barkley, QB, Southern California – 3,528 yards, 39 TD, 69.1 comp. %
3. Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin – 2,014 total yards [led nation in rushing and scoring], 38 TD
4. Case Keenum, QB, Houston – 5,099 yards [led nation], 45 TD, 71.7 comp. %
5. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama – 1,910 total yards, 23 TD
6. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford – 3,170 yards, 35 TD, 70.0 comp. %
7. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon – 1,856 total yards, 18 TD
8. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State – 3,507 yards, 41 TD, 74.1 comp. %
9. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State – 4,328 yards, 34 TD, 72.6 comp. %
10. Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin – 3,199 total yards, 36 TD, 10.3-to-1 TD/INT ratio [led nation]

Honorable Mentions

(listed alphabetically)

David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State – 11 interceptions [led nation]
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State – 1,336 yards, 15 TD
Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson – 3,764 total yards, 36 TD
Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois – 2,942 passing yards, 1,234 rushing yards, 36 TD
Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State – 1,877 total yards, 20 TD
Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College - 191 tackles [led nation for second consecutive season]
Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois – 14.5 QB sacks [led nation]
Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma State – 1,431 total yards, 25 TD
Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor – 1,572 yards, 13 TD

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu celebrates upon earning MVP honors after the Tigers’ 42-10 victory over Georgia in the SEC championship game in Atlanta. Despite the media attention he receives as the leader of a daunting smash-mouth defense, it seems that Mathieu’s status as a Heisman contender is, at least, debatable.

His 71 tackles, five forced fumbles and two interceptions were complimented by a nation-leading 12.7 yards per punt return (92-yard long, 2 TD). Yet it also seems that his catchy “Honey Badger” nickname has kept Mathieu in the press as much as his on-field performance. Some are easily swayed by the media, but not I. The "Badger" is rock solid, but the true Sophomore is not quite Heisman worthy.

Sunday's Quote: From one Founder to another

c/o Encyclopedia Virginia

The Founders are referenced with increasing regularity on this blog because time has proven them more honorable, stalwart and wise than the majority of those who lead us today. Thus, if some socialist-friendly liberal ever attempts to lecture you about what the Founders meant, perhaps throwing this back at him/her will be of some assistance.

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“The selfishness and corruption of Europe I have no doubt about, and therefore wish most sincerely that our free Republics may not suffer themselves to be changed and wrongly wrought upon by the corrupt maxims of policy that pervade European Councils--where artful and refined plausibility is forever called in to aid the most pernicious designs. It would seem as if there were a general jealosy [sic] beyond the water, of the powerful effects to be derived from Republican virtue here, and so we hear a constant cry from thence, echoed & reechoed here by all Expectants from the Treasury of the United States--That Congress must have more power--That we cannot be secure & happy until Congress command implicitly both purse & sword.

“So that our confederation must be perpetually changing to answer sinister views in the greater part, until every fence is thrown down that was designed to protect & cover the rights of Mankind. It is a melancholy consideration that many wise & good men have, some how [sic] or other, fallen in with these ruinous opinions. I think Sir that the first maxim of a man who loves liberty should be, never to grant to Rulers an atom of power that is not most clearly & indispensably necessary for the safety and well being [sic] of Society. To say that these Rulers are revocable, and holding their places during pleasure may not be supposed to design evil for self-aggrandizement, is affirming what I cannot easily admit. Look to history and see how often the liberties of mankind have been oppressed & ruined by the same delusive hopes & fallacious reasoning. The fact is, that power poisons the mind of its possessor and aids him to remove the shackles that restrain itself.”
– Richard Henry Lee, from a letter to Samuel Adams; March 14, 1785

Perhaps better known as Robert E. Lee’s great uncle, R.H. Lee was both a signer of the Articles of Confederation and the author of the Lee Resolution, by which the Second Continental Congress declared the Colonies to be independent of the British Empire. In fact the initial drive towards independence was led by an alliance known as the “Adams-Lee Junto.”

Editorial Sketch of the Week: They deserve no better

A couple of weeks ago, students at the University of California, Davis (15 miles west of Sacramento) participated in the Occupy madness in a way that eventually forced the local authorities to throttle the demonstrators with a generous helping of pepper spray. Soon after, the officer who led the charge – perhaps the result of his nonchalant assertiveness – became an unwitting caricature for an array of pop culture references. Here’s one of the most appropriate examples.

© Drew Sheneman, The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ)

Just Thinking Out Loud: The 51st State

Photo by Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press, c/o Examiner

By what legitimate standard, lawful or ethical, are the citizens of this country obligated to approve of an illegal alien population spread throughout our sovereign Republic presently comparable to the size of Pennsylvania?

It’s all about portion control

Just when becoming a vegetarian seemed almost plausible. . .

Original source unknown

Did You Know (or Care): From thriving to surviving

Various sources arrive at slightly differing conclusions. The figures below are somewhere between approximate and exact. Feel free to compare your numbers to mine.

Since Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20, 2009, our national debt has swelled by just over $4.4 trillion – virtually the entire amount it rose during George W. Bush’s eight years in office. That’s an average increase of more than $4.24 billion per day since Obama took the presidential oath, which suffice it to say, is the majority reason for the 239% upsurge of this behemoth liability since the turn of this still young century.

On a more parenthetical note, who is our 44th President to call anyone “soft”? Perhaps no candidate ever benefitted more from such soft handling (by the press and media at large) than Obama during his “historic” run to the White House.

You’re not what most people wanted you to be, Mr. President. And nothing you do over the next year will erase your performance over the previous three.

E/C’s College Football Top 10, Week 13

The regular season is just about over. This much is indisputably clear: Louisiana State is the #1 team in the nation. Alabama is barely half a notch below them. And everything else at this point is practically inconsequential.

Oklahoma had a respectable win against bowl-bound Iowa State, but it wasn’t enough to keep them ranked in this illustrious poll. USC replaces the Sooners by virtue of the (ineligible) Trojans’ 50-point shutout over rival UCLA.

1. Louisiana State (def. Arkansas, 41-17), 12-0, 675 pts.
2. Alabama (def. Auburn, 42-14), 11-1, 610 pts.
3. Virginia Tech (def. Virginia, 38-0), 11-1, 560 pts.
4. Stanford (def. Notre Dame, 28-14), 11-1, 555 pts.
5. Houston (def. Tulsa, 48-16), 12-0, 535 pts.
6. Oregon (def. Oregon State, 49-21), 10-2, 500 pts.
7. Oklahoma State (Bye), 10-1, 445 pts.
8. Boise State (def. Wyoming, 36-14), 10-1, 415 pts.
9. Arkansas (lost to LSU, 41-17), 10-2, 355 pts.
10. Southern California (def. UCLA, 50-0), 10-2, 350 pts.

Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

The University of Georgia’s Ben Jones (left) and Brandon Boykin celebrate winning the 103rd installment of “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” over traditional rival Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday in Atlanta. While both players will be playing on Sundays next year, the juggernaut that awaits them five days from now – same city, different team – will be a bit more challenging.

Sunday's Quote: As our heritage erodes. . .

The Founders of our Nation were mostly Christian. Those who have sought to maintain the establishing principles responsible for developing our country were, and remain, mostly Christian as well. A mandate to endorse and defend such philosophical values is more than implied. It is also necessitated amid this era of inclusivity that has provided an asylum for those who conform to an opposing set of standards that are unambiguously dissimilar from that which distinguishes America from all the rest. Yet concessions (in the name of tolerance) are rapidly becoming the norm. Case in point –

In an effort to embrace all "Earth-based" religions, a Stonehenge-like worship center has been built at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs that serves as a de facto place of worship for this year's 10 Hindu, 11 Muslim, 16 Buddhist and 43 atheist cadets among the 4,300 enrollees. The reason: "We're here to accommodate all religions, period," says Chaplain Maj. Darren Duncan, branch chief of cadet faith communities at the academy.

Major Duncan’s limp-wristed statement, however altruistic, signals a continued shift away from the convictions of the majority, as neither Freedom of Religion, nor the First Amendment, were ever intended to make more room than necessary for those who play by a different set of rules.

Our first President sets the record straight:

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“I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection; that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large; and, particularly, for their brethren who have served in the Geld; and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific [sic] temper of the mind, which were the characteristicks [sic] of the divine Author of our blessed religion; without a humble imitation of whose example, in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.”
– from George Washington’s Circular Letter to States; June 8, 1783


Picture credit: "George Washington at Valley Forge" by Joseph Christian Leyendecker; featured on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post, February 23, 1935

Editorial Sketch of the Week: Fantasy vs. Reality

© Michael Ramirez, Investor’s Business Daily

Just Thinking Out Loud: Chicks, man

c/o Zelzee

I’ve yet to spend time in a woman’s shower that didn’t have at least four different kinds of shampoo. I’ve also yet to receive a straight answer about why. So I stopped asking.

Everlastingly indebted

Norse explorer Leif Ericson (a.k.a. Leiv Eiriksson) landed in the Americas at the turn of the 11th century. Christopher Columbus arrived 519 years ago. The Pilgrims dropped anchor in Jamestown 115 years later. Their descendants, and the other Europeans who followed, were the harbingers of what would become the greatest of all nations.

Praising such individuals has, in recent years, become politically incorrect. Yet they are why we are here, and their example is why the United States became a repository for liberties that billions around the world will never have the opportunity to embrace. That much is factually correct. Thus I will always be grateful for those who laid the foundation upon which I now stand.

Picture credit: "Freedom from Want," from the March 6, 1943 issue of The Saturday Evening Post; © Norman Rockwell, via his Four Freedoms series

Valid, however politically incorrect

TEC's College Football Top 10, Week 12

The top three teams in the land not only reside in the same conference, but they are interdivision rivals as well. Unexpected losses two days ago by Oklahoma State, Oregon and Oklahoma made it possible for Louisiana State, Alabama and Arkansas to now comprise the first three spots in every possible ranking. Such an unparalleled feat could only be accomplished in the Southeastern Conference, from which the last five national champions have hailed. It’s barely surprising anymore.

As for the rest of the contenders, it’s complicated.

The Sooners and Ducks suffered respectable defeats to quality opponents – Baylor and Southern California respectively. The once second-ranked Cowboys, in contrast, were slayed by an underachieving Iowa State team that has earned its giant killer reputation. Thus all three hang on to remain in the Top 10, as their potential replacements have yet to garner enough consideration to be placed among the national elite.

Clemson’s 24-point loss to lowly North Carolina State knocks the Tigers from the Top 10 for a second time. They are replaced by Boise State, who make their second appearance in the upper tier. Perhaps most suspect however is Virginia Tech, who rises to #4 practically by default. A comparatively weak schedule has allowed the Hokies to fly under the radar all season. Yet their less-than-dominant performance against largely substandard competition will most likely keep them from going any higher.

1. Louisiana State (def. Ole Miss, 52-3), 11-0, 665 pts.
2. Alabama (def. Georgia Southern, 45-21), 10-1, 600 pts.
3. Arkansas (def. Mississippi State, 44-17), 10-1, 580 pts.
4. Virginia Tech (def. North Carolina, 24-21), 10-1, 545 pts.
5. Stanford (def. Cal-Berkeley, 31-28), 10-1, 535 pts.
6. Houston (def. Southern Methodist, 37-7), 11-0, 500 pts.
7. Oregon (lost to Southern California, 38-35), 9-2, 465 pts.
8. Oklahoma State (lost to Iowa State, 37-31 in 2 OT), 10-1, 405 pts.
9. Boise State (def. San Diego State, 52-35), 9-1, 370 pts.
10. Oklahoma (lost to Baylor, 45-38), 8-2, 335 pts.

Louisiana State head coach Les Miles sings the school fight song with his players after defeating Ole Miss in Oxford, 52-3. The Tigers simply look unbeatable. Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images

Sunday's Quote: Frank tells it like it is

c/o The Reformed Broker

Most people understand why the Occupy protests started, but I'm guessing relatively few empathize with what these hordes deviated into almost overnight. Say what you want about the Tea Party, but not a soul was ever assaulted, raped, or arrested at any of their events. Violence never ensued, nothing was destroyed, drug paraphernalia was never discovered, and the riot police were not called because their presence was unnecessary. Such threats were never even plausible, and therein lies perhaps the biggest difference between us and them.

A couple of weeks ago, famed comic book artist, writer, and film director Frank Miller wrote a crushing 284-word denunciation of the "Occupy" movement. His words were so profound, so spot-on, I'm not altogether certain that my own blog is even worthy to feature Miller's words.

So intead, for the first time and out of total respect, I will simply provide a link to his site and you can take a look for yourself here. Enjoy.

271 days from now. . .

Having grossed more than a quarter-billion dollars upon release last year, the sequel to The Expendables will debut at the end of next summer. Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis are set to reprise their roles from the first movie, while Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme have been added to the mix for the second film.

To borrow from another movie – there will be blood.

Editorial Sketch of the Week: Dems, then and now

© Gary Varvel, Indianapolis Star
2 Corinthians 3:17 ("Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty") has been part of the daily newspaper’s masthead for 108 years.

The contrast is noteworthy

Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Charles, Prince of Wales pose with the natives after they are given a traditional Maasi greeting during a November 9 visit to the Arusha region of Tanzania in southeast Africa. The Prince and Duchess were at the end of their four-day tour after an earlier stay in South Africa to promote social and environmental issues.

Some cartoons that recently caught my attention (for all the right reasons)

"Beastie," then and now

The picture above is a somewhat grainy still shot taken by yours truly, without permission, at exactly the 23-minute mark of a short film released by The Beastie Boys earlier this year called "Fight For Your Right (Revisted)," the premise of which is based upon the legendary hip-hop trio causing a ruckus through the streets of New York City during the early days of their initial mainstream success, circa 1986.

Toward the end of their path of destruction, they end up meeting themselves 25 years into the future – whereupon their past selves (played by Elijah Wood, Seth Rogen and Danny McBride) and their present/future selves (played by Will Ferrell, Jack Black and John C. Reilly) proceed to urinate on each other, quite relentlessly, for what seems like hours.

The satirical take on their existence as a group may, or may not, be worth a look if you get a chance.

TEC's College Football Top 10, Week 11

"Baseball is what we were. Football is what we have become."
– Mary McGrory (1918–2004), journalist and columnist for The Washington Post who probably wasn't paying homage to the game that has possibly replaced baseball as our new American pastime.

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The Commercial Appeal's Geoff Calkins is right: 2011 has been the most scandal-plagued year in college football history. What began with the conference realignment shuffle/multi-billion-dollar money grab has culminated with a mélange of far-reaching controversies at benchmark institutions such as North Carolina, Ohio State, Miami (FL) and now Penn State from which there appears no end in sight. Yet the irony is found in how the sport only continues to flourish.

College football and the NFL are a conjoined juggernaut that remains unscathed by even the most salacious state of affairs. In fact the world class athletic paradigms central to the sport itself are tolerated because perhaps nothing is more genuinely American than dressing up like a modern day Roman legion and acting the part of the ultimate alpha male, thus allowing the average person to share vicariously in the illusion of being large, strong, tough, famous, wealthy and practically untouchable.

Such age-old fascinations played a considerable role in establishing our country as the nation by which all others are judged. It is a permanent part of our cultural landscape. Consequently the ethos from which scandals of every imaginable sort has become the acceptable norm will likely never change, either.

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Stanford's loss to the burgeoning Oregon Ducks costs the Cardinal their #2 ranking, but hang on to remain in the Top 10. The same cannot be said for Boise State, whose surprising loss to resurgent Texas Christian has the Broncos on the outside looking in for the first time this season.

In addition Virginia Tech's victory over nationally ranked Georgia Tech all but clinches a rematch with Clemson – who handed the Hokies their only defeat – for the ACC championship on December 3.

1. Louisiana State (def. Western Kentucky, 42-9), 10-0, 640 pts.
2. Oklahoma State (def. Texas Tech, 66-6), 10-0, 610 pts.
3. Alabama (def. Mississippi State, 24-7), 9-1, 585 pts.
4. Oregon (def. Stanford, 53-30), 9-1, 575 pts.
5. Oklahoma (Bye), 8-1, 545 pts.
6. Arkansas (def. Tennessee, 49-7), 9-1, 520 pts.
7. Virginia Tech (def. Georgia Tech, 37-26), 9-1, 455 pts.
8. Stanford (lost to Oregon, 53-30), 9-1, 405 pts.
9. Clemson (def. Wake Forest, 31-28), 9-1, 350 pts.
10. Houston (def. Tulane, 73-17), 10-0, 315 pts.

Players and coaches from Penn State and Nebraska met at midfield to pray before the start of the game in State College, PA. Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Penn State cheerleaders embrace on the last play of the game against Nebraska. JoePa’s boys lost, 17-14. Things in Happy Valley may not ever be the same. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Sunday's Quote: Abuse

Exploitation comes in many forms. While the repeated acts of pedophilia (reportedly) committed by a former longtime assistant to a college football coaching legend has reminded us yet again about the various and unconscionable methods of predatory behavior, it is perhaps easier to overlook the more subtle means of ill-treatment that we often commit amongst ourselves, which is furthermore confounding when those who might be in a position to help simply refuse to see the antagonist for what he or she really is.

A comedic legend who recently bore his soul in a way that virtually no-one ever suspected added his perspective to this snowballing phenomenon of pervasive maltreatment that, in one way or another, affects us all:

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"I mean, can you imagine the desperation of a child who chooses to believe that he did this to himself, just so he doesn't have to consider the idea that his mother did it, or his parents did it? Because you know, Terry, I'll tell you something. I hope this - I don't know anything about you, but I think it's completely barbaric to shake hands with and seek help from the person who caused your injury. That will make you sick."

– Saturday Night Live alum Darrell Hammond, during the November 7, 2011 broadcast of NPR’s Fresh Air. His new book, "God, If You're Not Up There, I'm F*cked: Tales of Stand-Up, 'Saturday Night Live' and Other Mind-Altering Mayhem," details the methodical brutality he suffered from his mother, who beat, stabbed, and tortured him for years. Consequently the 57-year-old Hammond has been in psychiatric treatment continually since age 19.

Editorial Sketch of the Week: A (belated) Veterans Day salute

© Rick McKee, The Augusta Chronicle

Iconic Shot: The King & Ali

I don't believe in self-given monikers. Whereas fans were responsible for christening Elvis as "The King," it was the man formerly known as Cassius Clay who was only too happy to inform the world that he was "The Greatest" of his chosen profession. However debatable Ali's status in boxing lore – welterweight and middleweight powerhouse "Sugar" Ray Robinson (173-19-6, 108 KO) is the pound-for-pound greatest – the historical merit of the picture below presents a rare meeting of pop culture royalty that far exceeds the dislikable figureheads enthroned today.

In addition, Elvis was a legit karate black belt. First exposed to the art while stationed in Europe during his time in the Army, Presley earned his first degree {Shodan} rank in March 1960 from a Chitō-ryu instructor (and a very interesting fellow) named Henry Slomanski. In an actual head-to-head versus Muhammad Ali, "The King" would have held his own quite well.

Original source unknown, c/o Julien's Auctions

Cinema trailer narrative

In a stroke of pure genius, Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher (BriTANicK) have cracked the code that's employed in every preview you've ever seen on television or at the movies. Have a look at their humorous take:

I've always liked cats

A couple of pics featured recently on The Chive:

TEC's College Football Top 10, Week 10

In a game that featured at least 15 first and second round NFL prospects on defense alone, Louisiana State proved its mettle beyond any question by edging the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night. The battle wasn’t quite what most expected, as the impact of four missed field goals and a 73-yard punt essentially decided the game. Yet the talent and tenacity exhibited by each squad on that pleasant autumn evening in the Heart of Dixie will be remembered (and discussed) for decades to come. And don't be surprised if these two end up matched in the BCS title game in January. It's a stretch, but far from impossible.

Nebraska drops from the Top 10 in lieu of their unexpected loss at home to sub-.500 Northwestern. Undefeated Houston, one of two Conference USA teams ranked in the national top 25 (two more than the Big East), moves into the Top 10 as a result.

1. Louisiana State (def. Alabama, 9-6 in OT), 9-0, 650 pts.
2. Stanford (def. Oregon State, 38-13), 9-0, 600 pts.
3. Oklahoma State (def. Kansas State, 52-45), 9-0, 590 pts.
4. Boise State (def. UNLV, 48-21), 8-0, 575 pts.
5. Alabama (lost to LSU, 9-6 in OT), 8-1, 545 pts.
6. Oregon (def. Washington, 34-17), 8-1, 510 pts.
7. Oklahoma (def. Texas A&M, 41-25), 8-1, 465 pts,
8. Arkansas (def. South Carolina, 44-28), 8-1, 405 pts.
9. Virginia Tech (Bye), 8-1, 350 pts.
10. Houston (def. UAB, 56-13), 9-0, 310 pts.

Drew Alleman (#30) of LSU celebrates with his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime to defeat Alabama, 9-6. All future opponents beware: the Tigers look unbeatable. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Sunday's Quote: Chesterton on government

c/o Catholic Authors

There's a lot of talk about how our federal system should function. Here's one of the all-time greats to break it down for us:

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"AN honest man falls in love with an honest woman; he wishes, therefore, to marry her, to be the father of her children, to secure her and himself. All systems of government should be tested by whether he can do this.

"If any system – feudal, servile, or barbaric – does, in fact, give him so large a cabbage-field that he can do it, there is the essence of liberty and justice. If any system – Republican, mercantile, or Eugenist – does, in fact, give him so small a salary that he can’t do it, there is the essence of eternal tyranny and shame."
– from Chesterton's March 25, 1911 contribution to The Illustrated London News. The ILN, for the record, was the world's first illustrated weekly newspaper. Launched in 1842, it folded in 2003 after 161 years in print.

Editorial Sketch of the Week: When millionaires collide

© Drew Litton, Chicago Tribune & ESPN.com

Did You Know (or Care): Trusting your gut

c/o Exclaim

Even those who have reached the pinnacle of success can make the most inexplicably wrongheaded decisions regardless of how evident the right choice might seem. Such is the case acknowledged recently by one of the foremost luminaries of the Rock/Metal genre.

As the story goes, über movie director Quentin Tarantino approached Metallica co-founder Lars Ulrich some 10 years ago with the intention of featuring a couple of songs from Metallica's eponymous fifth album for a movie he was writing called Kill Bill: Vol. 1.

According to Ulrich, the cinema maven ". . .had written and choreographed the two main fight scenes in the film to the Metallica songs 'Enter Sandman' and 'Sad but True'. Fists would impact faces on accents. Kicks would land on cymbal hits. Bodies would twirl along with the rhythm of the music. Tarantino's next-level movie magic married to Metallica music, all turned up to 11."

The mind of your average red-blooded American male immediately twists with the imagery of what could have been, as the mishmash of an extraordinarily violent movie set to the rhythm and melodies of perhaps the heaviest mainstream band of its era invokes the unavoidable contemplations of that which could have been even greater than it ultimately was.

Ulrich continued: "Page by page, I realized that most of this was written in a language that was outside of my realm of understanding. I had never encountered a narrative like this, set in, to me, a very foreign culture of martial arts and Asian myths. I just couldn’t wrap my thick Danish head around it. . . . Over the next few weeks the whole thing fizzled out as I continued not trusting my instincts. In the end, I never got back to him. Probably the single biggest mistake I've made in the creative department."

One might contend that Metallica's recent off-putting collaboration with former Velvet Underground frontman Lou Reed has proven an even greater artistic gaffe. But don't feel bad for Lars. His legendary band has done just fine. And so has Tarantino, whose two Kill Bill movies combined for an impressive $332 million domestic box office take.