Hope! Change!

McDonald's May Drop Health Plan

McDonald's Corp. has warned federal regulators that it could drop its health insurance plan for nearly 30,000 hourly restaurant workers unless regulators waive a new requirement of the U.S. health overhaul.

Emphasis mine. So, how's that change workin' out for ya? Any hope left?
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Titan Thoughts - Week 3

Week three in the books, and the Titans are 2-1. Good deal, although there are sill some concerns that need to be addressed.

First, a short recap of the game - this weeks Giants looked like last weeks Titans. They gave the ball away on a regular basis, lacked focus and were generally in a shambles, especially in the second half, when "Tennessee Tyrants" mode went into full effect. That's where we provoke the other team by talking smack while kicking ass. Worked very well yesterday.

Our offense played much better, but there are a few things that need looking at.

One, Vince Young only threw the ball four times in the first half, with Chris Johnson doing most of the heavy lifting. This has to stop. We're gonna do an Earl Campbell on him, and he'll be done in two years.

What would I do differently? For one thing, I'd use the Titans other running back, Javon Ringer, more, especially early on. Hell, I'd go as far as using CJ as strictly a third down back for the first quarter, just to totally mess up the opponents' game plan. After we totally hijack up their plan, then start the CJ2K show. He doesn't need 4 quarters to get crazy yardage, and he sure as hell doesn't need the unnecessary pounding he's getting now. Let Ringer go in there and take the opening shots, wear them down a bit, then bring on CJ.

Another thing we need to do was what we saw in the beginning of the second half - Vince Young throwing the ball. VY's short outs, slants, and designed rollout plays were working fine. We need more of that, both to open up the run game, and to open up the long pass.

Things on defense are looking good. Michael Griffin has put last year's woeful season behind him and is back to Pro Bowl form, both as a safety, and on special teams.

Last years 2nd round draft pick, Sen'Derrick Marks is in the rotation and doing well, and our young cornerbacks, McCourty and Verner, are making plays all over.

All in all, week three has me feeling better about the Titans, but there's still some improvements that need to take place before we can think of reaching the playoffs.

Next week, we are home and playing the Denver Broncos. Should be interesting.


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Sunday Music - RIP Leonard Skinner

Earlier this week, the most influential high school gym teacher in the history of rock passed away at the age of 77.




Lynyrd Skynyrd - "'T' For Texas". Ironic how he lived longer than Ronnie, Alan, Leon, Billy, and Steve. Continue Reading

Seen on the front of a T-shirt last weekend

/|\

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Half Man

Half Horse

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I didn't have the heart to tell him he had it on backwards.

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Quote of the Day

This from Alterraun Verner, rookie cornerback of the Tennessee Titans:

I believe that through losses, you gain lessons, and from those lessons, you gain growth, and from growth, you find yourself becoming a better person/player.

Yep.
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Some Good NFL News

Brett Favre added to one of his many passing records this weekend.

Favre was intercepted three times

"What are they gonna do? Cut me?

I'm gonna laugh when they do.

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Titan Thoughts - Week 2

Well hell, that was one of the worst games I've ever seen us play. Although we lost 19-11, the game wasn't nearly as close as the score would indicate.

Defense gets the "attaboy", they kept the game close, even though we turned the ball over seven times.

The offense (no capital "o" for you!), on the other hand, gets a major league "aw shit". The line couldn't block, therefore the runner couldn't run, and the passers couldn't pass. The play calling didn't compensate, and Vince Young was like a deer in the headlights, constantly. Kerry Collins didn't do any better when brought in, either.

It was an exciting ending, though. We needed a touchdown, a 2-point conversion, then we needed to recover an onside kick, go score another TD and another 2-point conversion to tie the game. Unfortunately, we had less than two minutes and no time outs to do it in.

Pittsburgh, knowing this, went into prevent mode. We made the first TD, and the 2 pointer. Next, we did the onside kick. And we recovered it! Did I dare to hope? You bet your ass I did, but, alas, time was not on our side. 58 minutes of crap, two minutes of good play do not a victory make.

The big deal now, of course, is Coach Fisher bringing Kerry Collins in to relieve VY late in the game.

I supported the move, even though many, many at the Music City Miracles open thread* did not.

Jimmy, in particular, did not like the idea of benching Young. He echoes what most people said:

Jeff Fisher is an idiot. At this point it has to be something personal for Fisher. He just took the chance of losing Vince Young, and in effect the entire Titans season in a game where the Titans were down by 10 points with a full quarter left to play.

I have to differ with just about everything said. Here's the way I see it:

Jeff Fisher did what he had to do. After three quarters of play, Vince completed 7 passes for 66 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also fumbled twice. In what universe does that warrant another 15 minutes of play, especially when you have a proven veteran like Collins** on the sideline?

The "losing Vince Young" is what most people are upset with, calling back to 2008 where Vince had some growing up to do after being benched and booed by fans.

Well boo-freakin-hoo. If, after five years in the NFL, Vince breaks down because he was benched (and booed, I heard it), then he needs to go do something else with his life, he's not cut out for the NFL.

The thing is, I don't think he will. Fisher has already said Vince is still the starter. Even though all the sports reporters will be crying "quarterback controversy", there is none. Vince starts, Collins backs up.

That's how it's supposed to happen in the NFL. Vince was done. He was getting rocked, and he knew it. Collins came in and promptly did the same thing, fumbling and throwing an INT. He then came back and provided us with the most exciting two minutes*** we might see all season.Vince will be fine next Sunday.

So, next week we play the Giants, whose offense is the best we've seen so far in this young season, and whose defense is above average. They are gonna try to rattle Vince like the Steelers did, but I don't think that will happen.

I think all Titans fans are going to watch this game with interest. It's the most important game we play before our bye. Maybe of the entire season.

* Yes, I have the laptop going during Titans games, sue me.

** the people who blame Collins for our 0-6 start last year must not have watched the Defense play.

*** no cracks about the sex life, OK? Continue Reading

So I Turn on the TV...

... and there is President Clinton, on "Face the Nation" - and "Meet the Press". At the same time, talking about the same thing.

What a coincidence!

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Sunday Music

There was a whole sub-genre of music back in the early 70's that included Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago (Transit Authority) and these guys:





Rare Earth "Born to Wander" Continue Reading

Quote of the Day

This via King Shamus over at Baldilocks:

If Christine O'Donnell wins in November, it's a great success for the Tea Party and the Right.  If she loses to Chris Coons, so be it.  But to suggest that Castle would've done conservatives any good if we put him in the Senate is laughable.  He would've been a constant irritant, the ever present grain of sand in the bikini bottom of Republican politics.  For all intents and purposes, Castle = Coons.  It's that simple.  Looking at it that way, voting for O'Donnell was a no-brainer. 

Even though Castle would have been more "electable", his voting record was that of a liberal Democrat. This has win-win written all over it. They already have one win in the books, and may have another in November. Even if they lose, RINOs everywhere should consider themselves on notice.

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G Pal

I've been following Curt's trials and tribulations with GPal for a while now. Looks like they aren't a very good place to spend your money. From what I've read, they don't send money to the people they are supposed to, their EULA says they don't have to, and they don't have the appropriate licensing in many states.

Doesn't look like a company I'd be comfortable doing business with.

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Mexican Gun Canard, Yet Again

Here's what happens when half-assed reports get put online. They get looked at, and exposed as half assed. The latest version of the Mexican gun canard comes from a paper from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Mexico Institute . In it we are told:

In May 2010, for example, the Mexican government, which has received training from ATF to better identify firearms, said that of the 75,000 firearms it seized in the last three years about 80 percent, or 60,000 firearms, came from the United States.¹⁸

But, footnote 18 takes us here, where it actually says (emphasis mine):

Calderón said his government had seized 75,000 guns in Mexico in a three-year period and found that 80 percent of those whose origin could be traced were bought in the United States.

We've heard that before, and what it means is that 60,000 is way, way high. Here is a good explanation of what is really going on. Short answer: 17% of the guns used in Mexican crime are traced back to the US.

That footnote also links to another article (you can have two references per footnote? Must be a "scholars only" thing) that omits the "whose origin could be traced" part and gives them what they wanted to hear in the first place:

Mr. Calderon told a joint session of Congress that of the 75,000 guns seized by Mexican authorities over the last three years, 80 percent are traced to the U.S.

Shoddy work, Kara Rowland, shoddy, shoddy, shoddy.

They keeping throwing crap on the wall to see if it will stick, we keep washing it off.

So be it.
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Titan Thoughts - Week 1

Before I get to talking about the Titans, I'd like to point this out. The current AFC South standings have the Texans on top, and the Colts in the cellar. Not quite the perfect scenario, but it'll do for now.

The Colts in the cellar.  LOL

Now, on to the Titans, who put a spanking on the Raiders yesterday. Count me in with those that say "Not so fast, Titans fans!". Indeed, it WAS the Raiders. Once we do that to the Giants, Cowboys and Chargers, THEN we can get all puffed up.

Still, it bodes well that many of our major disappointments (defense) seemed to be back to their 2008 form. Our rookie D lineman (Morgan) got his first sack, Griffin looked awesome, and we didn't have a cornerback getting burned on a regular basis, which was what used to happen to any cornerback not named Finnegan.

Another point on defense I'd like to make: Our late game prevent "D" allowed one touchdown, yes, but it also forced two fourth-and-outs, something they've never done before. I still cringe when we go to prevent, but this time around it wasn't so bad.

The offense looked good, not only did CJ break off a fourth 75+ yard touchdown run, but Vince did an outstanding job passing. His rating was 142.5, I believe. That phenomenal, especially for a guy who will "never be an elite NFL quarterback". Yes, it's only one game, but no one can say they expected him to do so well.

Rookies did well, Morgan got his first sack, Mariani did a great job as a returner, and Verner had a positive impact on special teams, and even checked in at WR for a little bit.

Concerns?

Kenny Britt. Didn't hear his name called once yesterday.

Folks who pay attention to line play said our left tackle Roos took a while to get into sync.

Finally, our sudden drop off in intensity after the third quarter was apparent to anyone watching. Yeah, it was 38-6, but still, the team who once allowed the biggest comeback in NFL history should know better.

So anyway, we face the Steelers next week, and hopefully we'll slay another dragon from last season.

And, maybe, the Colts can claw their way outta the cellar.  snicker
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Overview of America

Stumbled across this over the weekend. It's 29 minutes long, but worth your time.

I think of it as "Tea Party for Dummies"



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Sunday Music

Charlie Daniels Band - "In America". He should do an updated version of this. Continue Reading

9/11

A day of terror, a day of heroes:

When Jeremy Glick called his wife, his first question was an attempt to confirm something another passenger had heard on his spousal call: was the World Trade Center story true?

Lizzy Glick paused, thought for a minute, swallowed hard, and told him the truth. Yes, they had. Moments later, still on the line with her husband, Lizzy Glick saw that another plane had run into the Pentagon. She passed that information on as well to her husband, who relayed it to the other passengers.

Jeremy Glick then told her that the passengers were about to take a vote and decide if they should rush the hijackers and attempt to foul up whatever evil plans they had.

They did, of course, and the rest is history. We as Americans should not let their deaths be in vain. We need to harness their spirit, and fight terrorism wherever and whenever we can. Terrorists are like any other thug: they prey on the weak. They don't want a fight, they only want victims.

And, as terrorists are like thugs, terrorism is like crime: it can happen anywhere, at any time.

Be prepared.

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NFL Picks - Week 1

This is week one, so these picks are based on nothing but SWAG-ing.

1 Minnesota @ New Orleans - Favre on the ground. 'Nuff said.

2. Miami @ Buffalo- Meh

3. Detroit @ Chicago - I think Detroit could go 8-8 this year.

4. Oakland @ Tennessee - CJ2K begins his quest for back-to-back 2000 yard seasons.

5. Cincinnati @ New England - No idea of the TO-Ocho experiment will work, I just hate New England.

6. Carolina @ New York Giants - My upset pick of the week.

7. Atlanta @ Pittsburgh- The Steelers could be 1-3 by the time Big Ben gets back.

8. Cleveland @ Tampa Bay - Tie 0 - 0  (just kidding Cleveland by 7)

9. Denver @ Jacksonville - Tebow will make them sorry for passing on him.

10. Indianapolis @ Houston - The combination of Super Bowl hangover and Texas' improvement will spell doom for the Colts this year. They might not even make the playoffs.

11. Arizona @ St. Louis - Poor St Louis.

12. Green Bay @ Philadelphia- I'm liking Green Bay this year. I hope Rogers breaks every record Favre ever set with that team. Except interceptions.

13. San Francisco @ Seattle- San Fran should be playing Singletary ball from now on. They should be fun to watch.

14. Dallas @ Washington - I don't see the Fore Redskins doing much this year.

15. Baltimore @ New York Jets - Can both these teams be disqualified for being insufferable assholes? No? Then Baltimore by 3.

16. San Diego @ Kansas City - Too bad this game isn't in December, where KC might have a chance.

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Nada

Sorry for the silence, I'm just otherwise involved this week.

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Win a Scope

Win a Trijicon Scope at NRAhuntersrights.org!

FAIRFAX, Va.—If you've ever been frustrated by your current riflescope's inability to perform well in low-light conditions, visit www.NRAhuntersrights.org during the month of September for a chance to win a Trijicon AccuPoint 3-9x40 riflescope.
To submit your name for the Trijicon giveaway, visit www.NRAhuntersrights.org and scroll down to "Gift Giveaway" for simple entry instructions. Entries will be accepted Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, and a winner will be announced on Oct. 1.


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Titan Thoughts

The first Titan Thoughts since last years Jekyll and Hyde season. The final cuts can be found here.

Watching the preseason, I have high hopes for our team this year. Defensive line play is back to its Pro Bowl form. If you're a fantasy player, those guys deserve your attention.

The secondary looks to be improved, with McCourty in line to replace Harper at cornerback. Although Verner showed real potential there, he'll be on Special teams for a while. I see him as a nickelback eventually. He has great instincts.

On offense, VY looked crisp at QB, although he didn't play a whole lot. Collins still has an arm, and as a backup will be extremely valuable. Best insurance policy a team could want. Speaking of guns, third string QB Rusty Smith has one and will hopefully take advantage of his opportunity and learn the system. I have it on good authority that people named Rusty are quick studies and all-around great people.

Chris Simms didn't make the cut. He's gone in a puff of smoke, so to speak.

Wide receivers? Well, let's say we won't be any worse off than last year, but the big improvement we expected from Britt so far hasn't come to pass. He looked as if he belonged on the '08 team, the way he's dropping balls. Washington and Hawkins look better, and I didn't see Gage play, so I don't know. I think he was injured.

On special teams, I think the rookie Mariani will be handling returns along with D. Williams. Keep an eye on Mariani, he's gonna be good.

Looking at the schedule, I predict the Titans to go 10-6 this year. That should be enough to get a playoff spot, but that's something I'll talk about later.

Yes, I'm ready for some football. Hope y'all have a great Labor Day.

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Sunday Music

I usually try to play the original over the cover, but this one goes back way before the Animals:



Bachman Turner Overdrive "House of the Rising Sun". Continue Reading

Sailor Curt Asks

Is Anti-gun Costco intentionally duping gun owners?

Having an anti-gun policy nobody knows about? Yeah, sounds to me like they are.

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We're Number One - Again!

Memphis rated No. 1 for home foreclosure bargains

This stuff just writes itself, I tell ya.


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