Monday, December 29, 2003

Had a wonderful Christmas. It is always about the kids.

Dean is taking a small hit in NH. The American Research Group has him leading Kerry, 37% -19%, or something like that. Dean is still putting on a shalacking of the Kerry campaign, but Kerry has taken his best shot and is coming back. This same poll showed Dean with a 30% lead last time, so Kerry is closing the gap significantly. Dean certainly is the ballerina that doesn't look so good up close.

Well, the Buffalo Bills folded and mailed in their performance on Saturday. Pathetic. Bledsoe will be back. Williams, Gilbride are gone. Jerry Gray, Dick LeBeau will remain. Fassell of the Giants may be hired. Look for the Bills to make a quick move and get things going. What if they hired Ted Cotrell, the African American asst head coach of the NY Jets, who was the Bills defensive coordinator during the Wade Phillips era and was very succesful at it?

I am amazed how much ebay can produce a succesful retail strategy.

Tuesday, December 23, 2003

John Kerry is now making major inroads in the primary campaign. I know that he is going to succeed, why? Because I am praying like Hell that he does, literally. He is making gains on the ground in Iowa and NH. I think Kerry will win Iowa, which would boost his campaign tremendously because it'll show that he can win in the midwest. Arizona is key for him, he has to unseat Liebermann there. South Carolina is a toss up and Kerry is not in the mix. I don't think Kerry should use up too many precious resources there. He should have surrogates campaign for him and then flood the state with ads and 30 minute documentaries focusing on his military service and time as a prosecutor. Well, we'll just have to see where we go from here. it is looking up, though.

I've barely had time to breathe in the past week.

Bills are done for the season and John Kerry is getting on the go.

The dilema that is Bledsoe looms large. I think the consensus is that we keep him and improve the Offensive line. We just have to accept that this the kind of quarterback that we have, an immobile pocket passer. The coaching situation is more vexing. I think Coach Williams will get two more years, but Gilbride is gone. The man has never seen a running play he liked, nor has he seen a passing play that he disliked.

Monday, December 15, 2003

Bills lost a very, very close one again yesterday and they are done as far as playoffs go. The vexing question is where do we go from here; what to do with the team?

The defense is ranked #1 in the league so obviously, something is working there. the problem is with the offense. It is not the best offense in the world, but it is not that bad. A few good throws here and there, a few catches, and this team would be in the playoffs. It is clear than an O-lineman is needed, but I think that a lot falls on the shoulders of Bledsoe, who is routinely botching simpling throws. Besides the line, I just can't see what needs upgrading. Henry is doing great at running back, Moulds, Reed and Shaw are very good at wide out, and the tightends are decent. Play calling has a been a problem.


So should they fire the coaching staff? The defense has certainly worked. Do you want to scratch that and start over? Clearly not. The offensive play calling has been a problem. Gilbride is certainly capable of calling a smart game but only with much heat put on his head. I think Gilbride needs to be let go and elevate someone within the ranks to continue with that offense, someone who would commit to running and using the tightends more.

I have quite a few things on ebay. Lot's of good stuff like Fontanini figurines, rosaries, 14 karat gold medals, etc.

Friday, December 12, 2003

After Gore's endorsement, the expectation was that that would bring the Black vote to Dean. The fact is that it has galvanized the Black vote against Dean.

First, Charlie Rangel is upset that Gore and Dean stomped on his district, Harlem to make their announcement, which is something of a public slap in the face for both Rangel and Clinton. BTW, Rangel supports Clark.

To stave off any ideas that Dean is the Black candidate, Rangel made a public endorsement of Clark. Not to be outdone, Andrew Young endorsed Clark. Clyburn , Gephardt. But what about Kerry?

Well the African American community behind Kerry is galvanizing and the Virginia contigent of 30 high profile Black supporters have organized to turn out the Black vote for Kerry and a nation African American steering committee is being formed. One of the highest profile Black endorsements for Kerry is Harold Ford, Jr. of TN.

This race is far from over and Kerry is in place to get things going. Kerry is the right man, in the right place at the right time.

It Is Well With My Soul


When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrow like sea billows, roll
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul


It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul

Monday, December 08, 2003

Rep Clyburn of South Carolina is close to making an endorsement and word is that it is Gephardt. That is a relief for a Kerry supporter like myself. A Dean endorsement would have sealed my loss of faith in the Black leadership, who seem to be tripping over themselves to kiss the feet of Dean and or Clark. Never mind that Kerry, Gephardt, Liebermann and Edwards have fought for Black issues for many, many years! Dean has never done anything for the Black community, so the embrace of this figure is nothing short of baffling.

IMO, this is why the Black community is not taken to seriously. Because we refuse to grow up and take prudent actions in this regard. Here Black leaders are bringing in supporters who are whipping themselves up into a frenzy about Dean. It is a clear signal to politicians that one need not address Black issues, just woo the leaders during election cycles and then whip the faithful up into a frenzy and that would be great.

I am glad that Kerry has the support of thoughtful and well respected Black leaders, most notably, Harold Ford, Jr. Kweisi Mfume had also spoken very highly of Kerry last year and suggested that the party would embrace him.

As a community, we are at a vital point, are we looking for a savior or are we looking for a leader? If we want a leader, then John Kerry is the logical choice. If we want to remain as political babies in need of a savior, then I suppose the community can run and chase after candidates with no record of support for the Black community.

Wednesday, December 03, 2003

What is with the TV Presidents these days, on West Wing and Fox's 24? They seem so weak and detached it is getting sickening. No wonder people get the impression that Democrats are weak on defense. Everything is a great conscience debate, indecision and last minute decisions seem to be norms,no overarching principles to guide them prior and through tough decisions. They need to get their act together.


John Kerry is picking up endorsments and has opened up a campaign office in Idaho, yes Idaho. The guy is reving things up and it should make for a good finish. I think people don't realize, Kerry is gunning to win New Hampshire and Iowa. We don't here much about what he is doing in the South, but knowing Kerry, they are working hard there too.


The Catholics for Kerry page is getting more stuff. Ultimately, the plan is to be able to have a Catholic voter guide on John Kerry. John Kerry is Catholic and I want to show that his values, on the whole, converge with Catholic values.

Tuesday, December 02, 2003

World AIDS Day 2003 was yesterday, December 1. A lot of good stuff happened around the coutnry and the world. But nearly enough attention is being paid to this issue.


John Kerry delivered a speech on battling AIDS on the domestic front and the international front. Kerry along with Bill Frist, R-TN, co-authored the largest and most significant piece of AIDS legislation last year in congress and it was supported by the USCCB, Catholic Relief Services and National Catholic AIDS Network. Kudos to Kerry and to Frist.


ABS's TV show, Alias, is slowly returning to form. The show had taken a terrible turn for the worse. Now they are slowing down and working on good stories and not rushing through every episode. My main problem with the show is that she is sleeping with just about everyone. This turn to sexiness does not do the show justice and cheapens a good story. The first season worked well because there was very little sex, there was tension, but it make it much better.


We've stopped watching the Practice. James Spader is excellent and has a great character, but the show has become unconscionably graphic, all in the name of attracting viewers.