A Classic Redux

New York Yankees' Joe DiMaggio, left, and Boston Red Sox's Ted Williams pause for an exchange during an exhibition game in St. Petersburg, Fla., in this March 14, 1949 photo. In 1949, their fates came down to the final two games of the season. Boston held a one-game lead with two to play at Yankee Stadium. The math was simple for the Red Sox. Win a game and win the pennant. The challenge was a bit more daunting for the Yankees, who had no margin for error. Lose one and they were done. They'll do it again this weekend at Boston, three games to decide the American League East championship. (AP Photo)

And here we go again!

The Yanks go to Boston to play 3 games, with a one game lead to face the Red Sox. This is the only division that hasn't been decided.

The interesting thing about this weekend is that there is a Wild-Card spot still open, and the Sox are tied in that race.

Basically, the Yanks need 2 games in Boston to win the division.

And if that happens, the Sox need the Indians to get swept by the White Sox, which won't happen, since the White Sox have already clinched their division.

This, makes things so complicated, but basically, it comes down to this... If the Red Sox don't win 2 games, it could be over for them. The Yankees really need to win 2 games, or they are flirting with disaster.

Yikes! This couldn't have been better if it were scripted...

How Can You Not Love Derek Jeter

I'm just a little confused.

Click here to see the whole story, but basically Derek Jeter was threatened.

The Daily News reported that the hate mail to the Yankees' 31-year-old captain called him a ``traitor to his race'' for dating white women. It warned him ``to stop or he'll be shot or set on fire,''

So Derek has a white mother, and a black father, who can he date?

I love the fact that he and his parents have transcended race barriers to make such a great kid.

It is every fathers dream to have their boy grow up to be the captain of the Yankees, or maybe that's just my dream. But either way, what is wrong with poeple, if you can find a lasting love in this day and age, whatever their race, why would you pass it up?

Derek, in a totally true to form, pure class move, downplayed the letter.

You gotta love this guy, even if you hate him for being winner.

How Bad Is Raphael Palmeiro?

What kind of dumbass is this guy?

Raffy is in trouble, so what is a guy to do?

Chuck a teammate under the bus!?

Yep, that's exactly what he did.

He claimed that he took a B-12 injection furnished by teammate Miguel Tejada that must have been laced with the steroids that made him test possitive for steroids.

MLB asked Tejada to give then a sample of the serum that he gave to Raffy.

This is the dumbest investigation I've ever seen.

So long story short, Tejada gives MLB a straight B-12 sample, and they clear him of all implications.

Now Raffy is asked to not be a part of the O's team ever again.

Of course Tejada's little cocktail tested legal!

I guess Raffy's career is over, who's going to want him now?

Good luck on that Hall of Fame thing...

I'm Not Counting Any Chickens

With tonights win over the Orioles, The Yankees have taken a full game lead over the Red Sox.

But like the title says, I'm waiting to see a chicken hatch.

With 10 games left, and the last 3 being against the Red Sox, this has to be about as exciting as it gets. You couldn't make this stuff up...

Two Weeks Of Whaaat?!

The Football season is 2 weeks in and like so many years before, we're all asking What is going on!

Let's start with Baltimore.

The Defensive powerhouse that supposedly was going to be even better this year, has given up 49 points in 2 games and are currently 0-2.

And I drafted Baltimore's D- on my Fantasy team, and a few rounds too early I might add, and now they are headed for my bench!

And don't get me started on Cincinatti...

They made Minnesota look like a college team, and not a good one.

They forced big time Quarterback Dante Culpepper into 5 interceptions, and Running Back Michael Bennett into 2 fumbles, 7 turnovers?!!

They beat up on the Browns in week one. The Bengals have only allowed 21 points, while scoring a 2nd best in the NFL 64. More than enough to put them at 2-0.

Tampa Bay looks like a defense to be feared again.

They've given up all of 16 points in two games, and are sitting pretty at 2-0.

Rookie RB 'Cadillac' Williams looks good already, rushing for 148 and 128 yards with a touchdown in each of his first 2 games.

Oh and poor Green Bay.

First, they lose Pro-Bowl Wide Receiver Javon Walker to a season ending knee injury.

And then Brett Favre has had a really rough start.

He managed to throw 3 touchdowns this past week, but that is the extent of his TD passes. That alone would be ok, but if you add in his 4 interceptions, and now we have a problem. He's also fumbled 3 times, The Packers were able to recover 2 of them, but this is cause for concern. Especially when their defense has given up 17 and 26 points in week one and two respectively.

Green Bay is 0-2.

Ahhh, and my beloved Chargers...

They brought back all of their starting playoff team, they had Superbowl aspirations, they have the best Running Back in the game, and they are 0-2.


The Chargers lost their first game by 4 points, and this week by 3 points.

They are showing a weakness against the passing game. What can I say?


A couple other notes...

Watch for some coaches heads to roll very soon. Two come to mind.

St. Louis will be firing Mike Martz, that should have happened already. He was handed a great team, how do you fail? Well he has found a way, hope retirement treats you well Martz.

And get ready for The Vikings to cut Mike Tice loose. He couldn't control Randy Moss, so he was dealt to the Raiders. The Vik's new owner can't like his new investment so far, see ya later Tice.

Is it a coincidence that they are both named Mike?

While we're on the Mike bashing, how about one more for good measure, Mike Holmgren?

Seattle has talent, they have as big a budget as you can ask for, and the ex-Packer guru couldn't turn this program around. In Holmgren's last year of his contract, I don't think he's expecting an invitation back next year.


What does it all mean?

Well let's be realistic, it means nothing.

It is entirely plausible that any of these 0-2 teams could win 8 of their next 14 games and eek their way into the playoffs, and likewise, these 2-0 teams could lose 8 of their next 14 and get edged out.

You just never know, that's why they play the whole season, and not just 2 weeks.

But we are having fun, aren't we?!

A Couple Other Places You Must Read...

Here are two great examples from two blogs I read on a regular basis.

First is my boy Pastorius over at CUANAS.

This is a post about the latest negotiations with North Korea, always check Pastorius' commentary on the events, he is sure to add insight with a very appropriate US twist, to bring it down to earth, so we can all understand it. On this one he quotes The Godfather, Vito Corleone to bring it home.

CUANAS on North Koreas agreement to drop NUKE program

Second is a The Astute Blogger, Pastorius turned me on to him. This guy comes up with things that I wish I would have thought of, I can't think of a greater compliment. Here is one example...

The Astute Blogger on PORKBUSTING

Enjoy, and read them often, they can be linked from my site, just click on them on the right side of this page.

What are you waiting for?

MLB Postseason

Some interesting stuff going on in the AL, I'll tell you what.

If the season ended today, the Red Sox would win the East, The White Sox would take the Central, and The Angels get the West, with The Indians getting the Wild Card nod.

But the season didn't end today.

So check this out...

Unless there is a total collapse by the White Sox, which could happen, they are 3-7 in their last 10 games, they win the Central. Or, they could lose the lead to the Indians, they are on a 9-1 run in their last 10. Either way, the Indians are 3.5 games behind, but .5 games ahead in the Wild Card standings.

Out of the West, the only team going to the post season will be the Division Champ. The Angels are currently 2 games up on the A's. The A's are not playing all that great, so if they don't make a big run real quick, they'll be sitting home watching the playoffs. I hope they have some comfy couches.

The East is a very different animal.

You have the Red Sox 5-5 in their last 10 games, and a 1.5 game lead on the Yanks.

The Yanks are on a 8-2 run over the last 10, and finally putting together some important wins over teams that have given them problems in the past.

Just like the West, there is a good chance that to make the postseason out of the East, a Division Championship will probably be necessary.

The Sox just grabbed 2 really important wins from the A's, and the Yanks are on a 6 game win streak.

OK, I know, I'm here to make predictions, so what is going to happen?

Indians pass The White Sox, and steal the Central, Angels win the West, and The White Sox eek into the Wild Card. In the East, The Yanks take over first place this week. Before the end of the season, they have Baltimore twice, and the Blue Jays, they will have 1st place before that is over. Then they play 3 games against the Red Sox to close the regular season.

It goes like this...

White Sox (wild card) against the Yanks
Cleveland against the Angels

Yanks win, Angels win and meet in the ALCS.

Next I'll make sense of that National League for you.

Like I Said...

Here are 2 posts you must read.

First, are we failing in Iraq?

What does the newly elected President say...

And

This has nothing to do with Iraq, or does it?....

I am having a hard time getting over the fact that the mainstream media is still trying to make a mockery of our fight against terrorism.

Why?

What purpose does it serve?

They can go ahead and tear down this country, but once they do, then what?

They give up their freedoms?

What does that serve?

Please help me understand.

Sorry For My Absence

I have had almost a week of not posting anything.

I had the unfortunate experience of attending my aunts funeral.

I have lost a fair amount of my family, all of my grandparents have past, I've lost a couple friends recently to unfortunate circumstances, but this one was hard.

I spent the week with my cousins, one is about 5 years older, another is a year older, and the other is about 4 years younger than me.

And they are dealing with the loss of their Mother.

It really brings life home.

Life is precious, you need to talk to your parents, you need to be OK with them, any issues, should be resolved, you should have everything completely communicated with them at all times, just in case one of you should go.

'Cause you never know.

The weirdest thing is, the most blessed thing...

I have my first nephew being born. My Dad and I were racing home just in case our little Fu2r Yankee was early.

He was not, and now I'm sitting and waiting for the call that my little nephew has arrived.

So please excuse my lack of posting.

My emotions have run the gamut, sadness and crying with my family, to excitement and joy with my family.

Strange how life works, I lose a relative, and gain a new one.

The circle of life is a beautiful thing.

It would be even more beautiful if my nephews name was as I suggested, Mariano Rivera B*****, or Derek Jeter B*****, but that is not going to happen.

My sis went with Ty, as in Ty Cobb, and we will share my middle name as in William, so we're all good.

Again, I have some great stuff waiting to go off on, and I will, but give me a day or two to go through my little rollercoaster ride.

Thank You My Friends....

My Friday Morning With Marcus

Let me give you some more background on Marcus.

He is 10 years older than me.

I have always been taught to respect my elders, and Marcus makes it so easy.

Today he pointed out something that as a white male I have never even thought of.

He said, I'm tired of hearing about black people complaining about slavery.

I cringed. I can't wait to hear this, I said.

Marcus added, No, Fu2rman, seriously, how many white people died to ensure freedom for the slaves?

I would never have dreamt of making such a bold statement. But I have those PC rules to play by.

So with my mouth agape, he added, A whole lot of white people fought for the rights of the Black man.

That was a statement I have never even pondered.

And it took a black man to point it out.

He said, Who is still alive that were slave owners? Those days are over, and a whole lot of white people are responsible for making that happen.

Still reluctant to say too much, I said, Yeah, the Civil War was a very violent time in our history.

Yes! And we can't forget what this country fought for, the rights of black people that were truly oppressed! Not like todays oppression, where a black man can get a good job, but chooses to take from the system, and claim oppression.

All I could say was, Wow! Marcus, you teach me something everytime I talk to you.

He laughed and said, I don't know about that.

Then we got to talking about his new wife, and the new woman I'm dating, and some topics that were less serious.

However, then I mentioned I was dating a great woman that has been a US citizen for 2 years, she is from Mexico.

He asked about the language barrier.

I explained that she spent her first 7 months here learning English, and she speaks great English.

Marcus about jumped up and down and said, See, if I went to another country, I'd get educated so I could communicate in my new country!

That is about the most un-PC comment one could make in So. California!

I would be crucified for making such a comment, but Sandra the woman I am speaking of and Marcus, a black man are saying it.

And oddly enough, Sandra is working in Real Estate and Marcus is in food distribution to a major restaurant. Both financially successful.

I don't know, maybe they should be looked down upon for acclimating and taking the success that this country can provide if you are willing to embrace this capitalist ideal we have created.

This Is Why I'm Here

Many of you have watched the progression of the Fu2rman Blogs, first with Speaks, and then it shifted to Sports, and now evolved into Sports and Society.

Well this is the perfect post the show how the two are related.

<<This is Kanye West.

First he is a 'rapper' and not very impressive at that, but that is what they call him.

If you listen to his stuff, he sounds kinda like if you took a guy that was supposed to sing sissy little boy band songs, but you made him throw around the 'N'-word, and pretend to be 'hard'.

If you look at this picture you'll get what I mean.

This guy couldn't find edge if Public Enemy, Ice T and NWA had him surrounded.

But somehow, he's popular. Whatever...

At a telethon last week, he called GW Bush out as a Racist. Fine, he's allowed to do that, especially since he and Celine Dion would make a much better duet that he and Li'l Kim.

I'm getting to my point, seriously.

The NFL decided to stick with West as part of their kick-off show to start the NFL season. Fine, he should appeal to the sissy little Boston/New England fans, but Raider Nation? I don't think so.

Well I was wrong about one thing.

And this is my point that I said I would get to.

Freddie Prinz Jr. announced they were cutting away to Los Angeles for Kanye's performance.

The Foxboro crowd booed West through most of his set.

I freakin' love that!

Of course there is no audio, as the audio was from LA, and the boos were in the stadium where they would eventually play some football.

But I hope Kanye West is one crappy wanna-be rapper that is on your list of do-not-buys.

He is mine, and really, not only because I won't put money in his pocket to afford him the opportunity to be an idiot out in the public eye, but because he is little more than a packaged product, that took off. He made the mistake of thinking he had something to do with it.

This guy is one of my most recent examples of, if you get it on the radio, sheeps will buy it.

Chuck D where are you? These new 'rappers' must make you ill, sellouts all of them!

Are Ready For Some Football!

Football starts in on Thursday. And I can't wait.


The Raiders are about to go to New England to play the Super Bowl champs, the Patriots.

This could be a great game, and here's why.

Randy Moss signed with the Raider Nation, was there ever a better trade in the history of sports?

When I heard Moss was going to Oakland, I thought, that makes a lot of sense, this is a match made in heaven, or maybe hell, but what's the difference, it's a perfect match.

Add to that coach Bill Belichick's lost his two top guys, Romeo Crenell and Charlie Weis, his offensive and defensive coordinators. Tom Brady has a sore shoulder, and is probable, and Wide Receiver David Givens is questionable.

Bill also can't really prepare for Randy Moss in the Raider offense, he doesn't have any tapes to go to.

But, if I were a betting man, which I'm not, I still like the Patriots in this game.



In more news, Jerry Rice retired.

And good for him!

He didn't feel like being the number 4 guy in Denver. And why not?

He's the greatest receiver of all time.

There has been a great debate about the fact that Jerry Rice is the best Football Player ever.

That is a ridiculous question.

You may be able to pick the best Basketball player of all time, he only shares the court with 4 other guys. You may be able to make that argument about the best Baseball ever, if they play their position well, and can hit and put up numbers, but Football is a totally different animal.

Who was better, Joe Montana or Steve Young when Rice picked up 3 rings?

See what I mean?

You have to compare football players, position-by-position.

Jerry Rice is the best receiver I've been alive to see.



Then we have to talk about the Saints.

They don't have a home.

Whatever happens, I hope they do all they can to not abandon the New Orleans community.

It may be that the Superdome has to come down.

I hope if it does, the Saints management works with the city to be a part of Louisiana.

There is a rumor that they could come to Los Angeles.

Actually, that has been a topic of conversation for a few years, but LA won't support a team.

They couldn't support the Rams, so the Raiders moved in.

If Los Angeles couldn't keep the Raider-Nation, LA should never have a team, period!

The other rumor I've heard is that The Chargers go to LA, and the Saints go to San Diego.

From the Saints point of view, this makes sense.

The Chargers, my favorite team, might be able to make an impact on the LA market, if they can have another winning season.

The Saints could do well in San Diego, that city loves their losers for some reason.

Maybe it is the perfect weather, the beach commuinty with a rather acceptable cost of living for what you get that has them so indifferent to winning.

Unfortunately, The Chargers are a good team. But they have some other good teams in their division, including the Moss-Era Raiders, the defense enhanced, always powerful offense of the Chiefs and the always running Broncos.

If they can overcome that, I would say, Chargers, go back home to LA.

They were originaly from LA.

And then the Saints would have a nice spot to continue on their losing ways, and still have the support of their community.

Look at the Gaslamp district and the Garden district. Mardi Gras, and Street Scene...

This would be a natural transition for New Orleans fans.

But again, abandoning New Orleans is not right...

But watch the Fu2r, I see things, they tend to happen.

All Right You Chuckleheads

You know who you are!

These people are scanning our blogs that have built some readership, and post anonymously some crap about, nice blog, and if you want to 'click here' I can sell you, a home business, a weight-loss drug or penis enlargement I saw on my friends blog.

I don't think they even read our blogs, but I hope they read this...

I promise your comments will be deleted forever from my site.

I will not let anyone see your BS in your comments on my page, so don't bother posting it!

Bonds Back?

Barry Bonds took the field today with the Giants at Dodger stadium for some pregame practice.


He is not ready to be activated, but it looks like he will be very soon.

He looked good shagging balls, and taking some batting practice and running some bases. That leap into the wall in this picture looks promising for the slugger. Especially since if he is to be anything other than a pinch-hitter he is going to have to play left field, being in the Designated-hitterless National League.

I have said many times that I am not a fan of Bonds, and I hoped he wouldn't pass Ruth or Aaron as the all time Homerun leader.

However, I heard a stat today that could change my mind.

In his last two years, he has seen about 7000 pitches, he swung and missed only 250 of them.

That's not even human.

Steroids or not, that is un-freakin'-believable!

If he does pass Ruth and Aaron, I won't be disappointed.

As a matter of fact, let me reluctantly say for the first time ever...

Good luck Barry.

Don't Call It A Comeback!

I had to break out a little L.L. Cool Jay on ya' here.

Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong is considering a comeback?

No really Lance, don't call it a comeback!

Wouldn't you have to miss at least one race to call it a comeback?

Didn't you retire like 10 minutes ago?

Whatever...

Good luck on number 8, keep kickin' French ass, I love that...

Great Article From An Emailer

This was a link sent by a reader.

It showed how after only one generation of poverty, crime, and illegitimacy, the early Irish emigrants were able to turn racial stereotypes around, to become not only productive members of society but respected members of our country.

I happen to be part Irish, and I've never been ashamed to say that. And I can thank the man the article was written about for that.

It is sort of a biography of one Irish leader, 'Dagger John' Hughes.

Leaders (if you still consider yourself a leader after reading this) of the Black, Hispanic, and any other races that feel their people are being treated unfairly in our society, should take notes.

As the article says, in so many words, personal responsibility and strong morals work, and victim mentality and excuses do not.

Check it out.

The article is very long, so I won't post any of it here, but I highly recommend you take the time to read it.

Thank you Grandma C, you seem like a smart lady, except for that calling me a dog thing.

Oy, What Can I Say?

This is the face of a crazy woman.


Her appearance on Larry King was about the most insane thing I've seen in a long time.

Read this in your best Canadian accent.

"I open the television, there's people still there, waiting to be rescued, and for me it's not acceptable," Celine Dion said on CNN television's "Larry King Live" late Saturday.

"I know there's reasons for it, I'm sorry to say, I'm being rude, but I don't want to hear those reasons,"

If you think that is 'rude' she went on to say that there is a focus on these poor people looting, stealing TV's and 20 pairs of jeans, they are poor, maybe they have never touched those things, let them touch them for once in their life.

Oh, did I mention, along with reading that in your best Canadian accent, do it while sobbing...

Hey Celine, what about the people that own the stuff that is being stolen? You don't care about them? Peoples houses are being looted and vandalized, that you find acceptable, because the people that are doing these crimes are poor? The business owners that are having their stores robbed is no problem for you, because the thieves are poor, and have never touched these things?

Go back to Canada.


And then there is this piece of work...

New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin.

Now he is blaming the lawlessness on the fact that many of the left behind were drug addicts. They were jonesin' for drugs, that is what made them loot, rape and shoot at rescue helicopters.

Now watch as he blames GW Bush for not sending drugs to these people, they need their fix!

And in a move of pure hypocrisy, he is now saying that the people that won't leave the city will be denied drinking water to encourage them to leave.

That's great.

This is a guy that has no clue what he is doing.

Add his, put a moratorium on press conferences, get off your asses speech, while he states that in a press conference, and then does more press conferences.

He simply needs to step aside, shut up, and let those with a clue handle the situation.

Marcus Speaks

As I mentioned, Marcus and I got to talking about black leaders saying how blacks are not as well represented in Major League Baseball, and Hispanics are taking over.

Is that a bad thing?

And why might that be happening?

Well things are very different than they were, even 20 years ago.

I liken it to the Italians in the early days of baseball.

Where else could an uneducated, discriminated against young Italian man succeed in that world?

Sports and entertainment.

In the early days, Italians were white enough for baseball, even if they were blocked from the good jobs that regular white folks could get.

As stereotypes lifted, Italians got educated and moved into good jobs, thus not limiting themselves to sports and entertainment. And their presence diminished.

The same is true for the Black men of today.

They are a long way from being where the Italians are, but the drop in their MLB presence shows a move in the right direction. But they still have a long way to go.

As Marcus points out...

My neighbors baffle me.

They have a 17 year old boy, and they are pushing sports like no other.

He never hears any emphasis on grades. He can't understand, because he sees such a difference in the climate of employers than when he was trying to get ahead.

Sports are great, but with so much opportunity, why would you put all your sons eggs in one basket, He says, We're in a different time now!

I agree, perpetuating a stereotype is sad, to say the least.

He says that these parents, are in essence, telling their son that the only way he can be successful is to play football.

My comment was, Why football? Of all sports, it is the one that will get you hurt faster than any other.

We had a good laugh and He said, Of course, play golf!

Or Tennis, I added, Especially since those are the sports that you can make the most money!

You know, and not have a 300 pound beast trying to break you in half.

Like I said, a long way to go, but with Fathers like Marcus out there, everything will work out.

Can We Stop The Bush Bashing?

It seems the media won't let up on GW Bush over Hurricane Katrina.

They say he must be a racist for not resonding to the devestation caused by Katrina. They say he didn't respond because it was poor black people that were affected.

But let's check some facts...

Here is a timeline of the events, I'm only going to post the main points, but you can read the whole article here.

On Saturday August 27, Nagin issued a voluntary evacuation request late in the day. He was hesitant to order a mandatory evacuation because of concerns about the city's liability for closing hotels and other businesses.

OK, concerned about the legality of the situation? That is a shame, I guess this litigious society we have accepted, bit us in the ass again.

On Sunday August 28, Katrina became a Category 4 hurricane [3]. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin declared a mandatory evacuation of the city, and opened the Superdome to those who couldn't leave the city

An estimated 90,000 were still in the city when Katrina made landfall on August 29, causing severe damage to most of New Orleans.

He had a day to help evacuate his city, and he opened the Superdome...

The Astute Blogger illustrates this well here.

Just as Nagin has criticized others, Nagin's performance in the Hurricane Katrina crisis has been criticized as well. Nagin was criticized for not calling a mandatory evacuation until Sunday morning.

As mayor, Nagin was responsible for establishing evacuation centers, controlling first responders and keeping local order. Yet apparently there were no meals ready to eat (MRE's) stored at his designated evacuation center - the Superdome. There was no water purification equipment on site, no chemical toilets, anti-biotics or anti-diarrheals stored for a crisis. The mayor had not designated any medical staff to work the evacuation center. The city had not established a secure sick bay within the Superdome.

He doesn't mention that part when he is criticizing GW Bush.

The city had not sent police or other vehicles through the poorest neighborhoods with evacuation announcements prior to the storm. There were no functioning backup emergency communications radios available for police or fire-rescue. Additionally, the city stored the school buses on low ground where they were flooded and then not available for evacuation.

And you don't hear that either...

On the morning of Friday September 2, 2005, Nagin continued his criticism of authorities--particularly those on the federal level--for referred to on September 1, 2005 as "the biggest goddamn crisis in the history of this country" yet the formal request for federal assistance came only that afternoon of September 2, 2005 in a meeting called by President George W Bush on Air Force 1 held at the New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana.

The media had reported the situation days before but without a request for assistance from the Governor federal officials were powerless to act under the Posse Comitatus Act.

So Gov. Kathleen Blanco was slow to act, not Bush.

It really doesn't do any of us or the people in the affected areas to point fingers, but lets get the facts straight.

What is becoming a big concern for me is the hatred of our President that is perpetuated by the media.

Obviously, I am a Republican.

However, I was not a big fan of the hatred that the Right had for Bill Clinton either.

I didn't vote for him either time, but, he was my President. I didn't always agree with him, but I supported him. And, both times he ran, I unsuccessfully used my vote to elect someone else.

For the record, I thought the impeachment of Clinton was ridiculous. If a husband or wife is caught cheating, what is every human being on the planet going to do?

Deny it!

It sucks that he happened to have to answer for it under a grand jury indictment.

Seriously people, support your President, you'll have an opportunity to vote for someone else soon enough.

But for now, stop dividing our country!

I Have So Many Directions I Can Go Off On...

I'll try to stay on point, but I could go 'Ray Nagin' at any time.

Well speaking of the Mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, did you hear him go ballistic?

"They flew down here one time two days after the doggone event was over with TV cameras, AP reporters, all kind of goddamn — excuse my French everybody in America, but I am pissed," Nagin said.

Nagin said he told Bush in a recent conversation that "we had an incredible crisis here and that his flying over in Air Force One does not do it justice ... I have been all around this city and that I am very frustrated because we are not able to marshal resources and we are outmanned in just about every respect."

OK, reel it in a little bit here Ray, and don't you worry about any comparisons to Rudy Giuliani, there won't be any.

And here's why, you knew your city was going to be hit, and hit hard, you had a warning. New York had no warning.

You, as the Mayor, had some responsibility here to set your city up, as you knew this was coming, you did very little.

With no warning, Giuliani made a name for himself as a great leader.

With days of warning, Ray, you've shown yourself to be a man that can point a finger.

I know this man is panicking, and I say that shows his love for his city and his people, and I respect that.

But hold it together man. How are you going to lead your people when you can't even hold it together?

I asked a question just before Katrina hit, who out there would be coming out to help us?

Well, thankfully, my pessimismm was not warranted.

The help coming from all over the world, from Governments and the private sector alike, is nice to see.

Early reports were saying that GW Bush was declining aid.

That disappointed me.

If we had to go it alone, fine, we could have done it, but let's not be snobs.

How can you say to a friend? Yes, we can use the help, but we're too good for your money.

Enter Condoleezza Rice.

I want to express the heartfelt thanks of the President, the United States Government and all Americans, to the leaders and citizens of the many nations and international organizations that have already offered kind and generous support. Organizations like the United Nations, NATO, the Organization of American States, the European Union, and others are showing their solidarity with us during this time.

You have the updated list of countries from every corner of the globe that are offering their help, countries like Canada and Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Israel, China, Azerbaijan, the Philippines, El Salvador, Australia, Turkey and many others. I want to note in particular that we received a generous offer of support from Sri Lanka, a country that, as we speak, is still recovering from its own massive natural disaster. Every contribution is important; and over the past few days, I have been in contact with a wide range of officials from other nations and international organizations to respond to these offers of support.

I believe it was Pastorius that said Conde Rice was the best, next Republican Presidential Candidate out there, I thought he was very optimisticc at the time, and now I am too.

Let me take you in just one more direction, and thank you for sticking with me so far.

Every Friday I have the privilege of talking to a distubutor for my restaurant. He asked me a question today.

'If you were in need, would you start shooting at the people trying to rescue you?

I let out a small chuckle, not because I found the question funny, but because I knew where this was going.

You see, Marcus is a black man, and he and I can relate on so many issues.

He is one of only two friends that I can talk about Black people, White people, Asians, whatever, without being called a racist.

If Marcus and I had the same conversations we have about life with my white friends over the phone, they would call us both racists.

Sorry, I'll get back on topic, Marcus was so angry that anyone could be so selfish as to shoot at rescue people just so they could continue to loot.

I had to ask what he considered looting, as in, if you need food and water, and a store has been abondoned, is that looting, or survival? (BTW, CUANAS pointed that out the day after Katrina).

He said, NO! they were stealing sports equipment!

I didn't see that, but I'm not saying it didn't happen.

He was really upset that these people were so foolish and they just caused more deaths in their own community, and for what?

I have little more to say, and I don't know how to end this post.

But I guess I just want to say that Marcus and I must be the 'Regular Guy' meter for the United States, he is a black, working family man, and I am a young single white man, and we've never disagreed on any topic, and believe me, we've tried!

As this is actually a slow weekend for my restaurant, and Marcus was going into a 3 day weekend, we spent about an hour just chit-chatting, I will post many of our topics in the upcoming days.