Dean Martin in Ocean's Eleven

The original Ocean's Eleven was a classic. Don't get me wrong. The remake with George Clooney and Brad Pitt was good, but it does not hold up to the original.

Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and the rest are head's above Clooney's crew. And they did it without special effects.

Watch the clip below with Dean Martin. It is a classic clip I found on YouTube. There were some comments left by viewers. I think they are a good representation of my views.

"Knightewolfe" wrote: The new Ocean' Eleven ain't got shit the original!!!
THE RAT PACK RULES IN COOL!!!

"JamesDeanFan4Life" wrote: Dean is sooo cool! Ocean's 11 great movie.

"wjv4me" wrote: Yes Dino is cool.

New John McCain Campaign Ad

Here is a copy of the new John McCain campaign commercial. It features Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, and Oprah's Love Child (AKA Barack HUSSEIN Obama). It was just released today.

"Everything popular is wrong." - Oscar Wilde

China to Censor Internet for Foreign Media

China will censor the Internet used by foreign media during the Olympics, an organising committee official confirmed Wednesday, reversing a pledge to offer complete media freedom at the Games.

"During the Olympic Games we will provide sufficient access to the Internet for reporters," said Sun Weide, spokesman for the organising committee.

He confirmed, however, that journalists would not be able to access information or websites connected to the Falungong spiritual movement which is banned in China.

Other sites were also unavailable to journalists, he said, without specifying which ones.

This does not surprise me. China wants to limit all negative or questional media leaving the country during the Games. I do expect some censored media reports will slip out ,as journalists, bloggers, and the such have ways of getting around firewalls.

"Censorship in any form is the enemy of creativity, since it cuts off the life blood of creativity: ideas." - Allan Jenkins

I Dream of Jeannie

This is a mini-clip of the first episode of "I Dream of Jeannie." This is another great television show of my youth that can NEVER be reproduced.

Look at 2:12 to 2:18 of the clip. In my mind, and I bet many of the males out there, there is nothing sexier than a woman in a man's Arrow dress shirt. Do women know how sexy that is? I KNOW THEY DO!!!!!

Jeannie putting on his shirt and posing in the door remains one of the hottest moment in television history. Yet the censors would not let Barbara Eden show her navel. Figure that one out!

At 1:03, Jeannie says something in Farsi. Translated, I believe she said "You have the face of a wise and handsome caliph ('halifaz')"....in some prints, including the unaired version of the pilot, virtually everything she said in Farsi was translated in on-screen subtitles, 'Kalisabby'...

The Internet is great for finding out interesting, little known facts.

Enjoy the clip.

"Out of all the actors I have worked with, I love working with Larry Hagman the most. We were very close and it was just a wonderful time." - Barbara Eden

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. was another show from my youth that I watched religously. By today's standards, it was campy and corny, but we did love it. When we played spies, I was always Napoleon Solo and my brother was Illya Kuryakin. We got to be them because we had U.N.C.L.E. guns and no else in the neighborhood did, so they were always the T.H.U.R.S.H. agents.

This is a trailer clip I found. If I can ever find the original black and white opening for the first year, I will post it. I will also post the later opening that was in color.

Enjoy!!!

Napoleon Solo: [calling on the intercom] Illya, we have a situation here that needs your special talents. Are you free?
Illya Kuryakin: [from intercom] No man is free who works for a living. But, I'm available.

A Platform for a Third-Party Write-In Candidate

I found this post over at TexasFred. He found it on Southern Sass on Crime.

I "borrowed" it to post here, as I think it is not only funny, but does make a great deal of sense.

I want to thnak them for the information on the list.

Many have posted on the these two blogs that they would support a candidate who ran on such a platform. I have to agree.

Here is the platform for a third party, write-in candidate:

(1) Press 1 for English is immediately banned. English is the official language. Speak it or wait at the border until you can.

(2) We will immediately go into a two-year isolationist posture to straighten out the country’s attitude. NO imports, no exports. We will use the ‘Wal-Mart’ policy: ‘If we ain’t got it, you don’t need it.’

(3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it.

(4) All retired military personnel will be required to man one of our many observation towers on the southern border. (Six month tour) They will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens.

(5) Social Security will immediately return to its original state. If you didn’t put nuttin’ in, you ain’t getting’ nuttin’ out. Neither the president nor any other politician will be able to touch it.

(6) Welfare - Checks will be handed out on Fridays at the end of the 40 hour school week, and the successful completion of urinalysis and a passing grade.

(7) Professional Athletes –Steroids - The FIRST time you check positive you will be banned for life.

(8) Crime - We will adopt the Turkish method: The first time you steal, you lose your right hand. There will be no more life sentences — if you are convicted of a Capitol Offense, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for your victim, gun, knife, strangulation, etc.

(9) One export will be allowed - Wheat — The world needs to eat. A bushel of wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil.

(10) All foreign aid using American taxpayer money will immediately cease, and the saved money will pay off the national debt and ultimately lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we’ll ask the American people if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make the decision whether it’s a worthy cause

(11) The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at school and every day in Congress — right after a prayer to God.

(12) The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.

I love this. Many liberal tree-huggers would fight it, but it would take care of a large number of our country's problems. Even implementing a few of these ideas would make a large different for the better.

Please post your thoughts, and keep it clean (as clean as you can)!

"Stupidity has a certain charm - ignorance does not" - Frank Zappa

Turkistan Islamic Party Threaten Olympics

With less than two weeks to go before the Olympics open in Beijing, the Chinese government is facing the horrendous possibility of terrorist attacks aimed at the Games. On July 23 an apparent terrorist group called the Turkestan Islamic Party released a video taking responsibility for bus bomb blasts a few days before in the southwestern city of Kunming that killed two people. The group also claimed as its own another attack in Shanghai that killed three people in May.

According to global intelligence analysts Stratfor, the Turkestan Islamic Party is another name used by the Islamic Party of East Turkestan (ETIM), an ethnic Uighur and Muslim separatist group seeking to create an independent state out of China’s westernmost, heavily Muslim Xinjiang province. This group has been designated by both the United States and China as a terrorist group.

Something is going to happen at the Olympics. Mark my words. The Olympics are too big a stage not to attempt something. Terrorists bent on destruction will find a way to disrupt the Games.

Do not construe my statement to be a voice of support for the terrorists. I just think some whacko or group of whackos will try something. With their mindset, this may be too big an opportunity not to pass up. If they do, it will have been months, perhaps years in the planning.

We, meaning the decent law abiding people of the world, need to be ready with a response if a terrorist act occurs.

I hope and pray nothing happens, but deep in my bones, I think something will.

This below video is in Arabic (I think). I will look for a translation and post it later. Look at the pictures and listen to the sound and draw your own conclusions. This is CRAZY!!!

"When you give religiously inspired zealots weapons of mass destruction and you promise them that if they kill innocent people they will go to heaven, imagine what the consequences are." - Alan M. Dershowitz

Steve McQueen: "The Great Escape"

Readers of this blog know my love of Steve McQueen movies. He was the ultimate cool guy of my youth. As they say, "All the girls wanted to be with him and all the guys wanted to be him."

McQueen was an avid racer of both motorcycles and cars. While he studied acting, he supported himself partly by competing in weekend motorcycle races and bought his first motorcycle with his winnings. He is recognized for performing many of his own stunts. One of the best parts of the movie "The Great Escape" was his motorcycle scenes.

Watch it below and enjoy. It is another classic.

Von Luger (as played by Hannes Messemer): Are all American officers so ill-mannered?

Hilts (as played by Steve McQueen): Yeah, about 99 percent.

Astronaut Edgar Mitchell Says We're Not Alone

Edgar Mitchell is an American pilot and astronaut. As the lunar module pilot of Apollo 14, he spent nine hours of February 9, 1971 moon walking on the Fra Mauro formation, making him the sixth man to walk on the Moon.

Recently, in an interview given to an English radio station, he claimed that the Roswell incident was indeed a real crash of an alien space ship and was covered up by the government.

Mitchell also says world governments are aware of the alien visits, but have covered them up.

NASA denies it is involved in an alien conspiracy or cover up.

I have definite opinions about Mitchell's statement and the ongoing discussion concerning UFOs, life on other planets, and aliens visiting the earth.

Below is a short clip of his interview. Watch it and please leave comments as to what you think. I will posy my thoughts on it at a later time.

"I happen to have been privileged enough to be in on the fact that we've been visited on this planet and the UFO phenomena is real" - Edgar Mitchell

Upside down V on Spartan Shields

This is a question that has been bothering me since my early days of watching the original "The 300 Spartans."

"What does the upside down V on the shields of the Spartans mean?"

That inverted "V" symbol is the Greek letter "L" [Lambda (uppercase Λ, lowercase
λ; Greek: Λάμβδα or Λάμδα, Lamtha)]. The Spartans used the red Greek capital
letter lambda (Λ) displayed on their shields as an identification as the people
of Lacedaemonia (Λακεδαιμωνία), which in historical times, was the proper name of the Spartan state as used by Thucydides in his histories. The citizen of
Lacedaemonia was called Lacedaemon (Λακεδαίμων).

Thank goodness for the Internet.

"We are drowning in information but starved for knowledge." - John Naisbitt

300: "This Is Sparta!"

Here is another video clip from the movie "300."

Perhaps we should do this to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Presdient of Iran). After all, Iran used to be know as Persia.

"This is Sparta! - King Leonidas (as played by Gerard Butler in the movie "300."

300: "Spartans! What Is Your Profession?

My student have told me this is a good movie. I remember watching the original "The 300 Spartans" as a child. Perhaps I should watch this before school starts.

Any opinions out there?

King Leonidas: [shouting] Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!

Sam Elliott and Nicholas Cage in "Ghost Rider"

I was surfing the web this cloudy and raining Thursday morning and came across two of My Lovely Bride's favorite actors in a movie clip together. They are Sam Elliott and Nicholas Cage in "Ghost Rider." She told me a few things about how she views them.

"They are not handsome by the 20-something's standards of the world and their glitzy Hollywood view of men. They have a restrained wild quality. It is the "manly man quality". They are not the "handsome" men that would attract one's attention.

It is their deeds that I find appealing. They are the men that will stand up and fight for what is right. They are the men who will fight against evil. They are the men who will fight to the death for their country. They are the men who will fight for love.

They just both happen to be actors. They are playing a role on the screen. However, men like them are all over the country. They can be anywhere. Cage and Elliott are playing these roles as comfortably as their would behave in everyday life. I do not know who they are or how they behave in their person lives, but I feel they are probably the same type of men on the screen as they are off the screen.

In my mother's day, they would have been John Wayne and Paul Newman. They are the men that make women swoon. They are the men that women want in their lives.

A man would not understand how women feel about men like them. Men view
these men in a different light. They are who men wish they were. To women, they are how we view the men we love."

"My Lovely Bride" is right. I love to watch their movies. They are the ones who were the heroes of our youth. That is why we can watch their movies over and over again. They are the men we wanted to be. They are the men we hope we are to our wives. They are the men that built this country.

Below is a clip from the movie. We both think it is the best of the film. (PS: Play close attention at 1:15. They roast a Gila Monster. HOW COOL WAS THAT)

Sam Elliott played Caretaker and Nicholas Cage played Johnny Blaze. My quote for this post is from the movie "Ghost Rider."

Caretaker: We'd better get going.
[walks on]
Johnny Blaze: [following the Caretaker] We?
[Caretaker whistles and a phantom horse appears. He mounts it]
Johnny Blaze: [grins knowingly] Carter Slade
[Slade tips his hat]
Johnny Blaze: Can you keep up?
[Slade transforms into a Ghost Rider]
Johnny Blaze: Let's ride!
[leaps onto his bike, turning into the Ghost Rider.]

More On The Moceanu-Karolyi Controversy

More has come out concerning the statements made by Olympic Champion Donimique Moceanu and her relationship with Bela and Marta Karolyi, in addition to the abuses they inflicted on Moceanu (and possibly other gymnasts).

The following comments from Moceanu were reported in story by Diane Pucin in the LA Times.

"I never, ever objected to hard work. What I objected to was Martha grabbing me by the neck, shoving my face into the phone and telling me to call my parents when I hurt my neck in practice. I objected to being told to jump onto a scale in front of the 1995 world championship team, of being forced to do 16 uneven bars routines in a row by Martha. I was completely embarrassed by Bela in front of the 2000 national training team at camp. He completely belittled me and my weight, singled me out and made me feel very small. It was unfair treatment. Martha's logic is so false but no one would listen to a 14-year-old. I was never allowed to speak out."

This is further testimony of how far the Karolyis will go to produce their desired results, in order to benefit themselves.

In another article in the LA Times, a comment was posted by a Dr. Gary Stanner. he is the owner and coach of the Eastern Oregon Gymnastics Academy in Pendonton, Oregon.

"Arm Chair Quarterbacks"? Hummm, I have Coached at some of the better clubs in the USA. (Not Karolyi's) but, NAAG with Dick Mulvihill, Los Altos Twisters with Kim Kludt. They have produced more Elite Gymnasts from scratch than Karolyi's has ever done. His record plainly shows that their sucess is far more from recruitment, than from development. Case in point is Mary Lou Renton. Already a national team member from Fairfax, VA. Rumor then was he called her up at home and she transfered to his program straight away. One can only guess at what she was told or offered. As for Nadia! She was so talented that almost anyone could have turned her into the champion that she was. She has earned every medal she has ever won. I am not claiming that she did not work hard to become the gymnasts that she has become. I am also not making any sort of personal attack on anyone, but this format enables us to make our opinions felt. I am not a disciple of the Karolyi Mystique, but I also have to admit that I was in awe of him the several times we have personally met at national and regional clinics. The point is: Is there a chance the American Gymnastics program would improve with out the Karolyi's? I think so. But if some of us that are still in the trenches coaching day in and day out think so, then it maybe it should happen. After all if we are wrong, we can always bring them back. No one is using a wooden stake or silver cross to get them to leave. One last thought. Would the gary writing here still be a active coach? And what level gymnasts has he produced? His only reference was that HE coached with the Karolyi's in the 80s" Just a thought..."

Dr. Stanner's comments support my distrust of the Karolyis. I have heard by many people how the Karolyis recruit "their" gymnasts and never actually train anyone from start to finish. I cannot go into how I came about this knowledge and my involvement or association with gymnastics, but rest assure many coaches feel they same way about the Karloyis. This is not anything they say in public. It is more whispers and discussions behind closed doors, due to the inevitable backlash I described in a previous post.

I think many parents would be outraged if a coach grabbed their daughter (or son) as Moceanu describes.

I repeat my statement from the earlier post: The Karolyis need to be removed from gymnastics. Texas Truth wants to lead the call to support Moceanu and her statements, in addition to calling for the removal of the Karolyis from any involvement in USA Gymnastics.

"I was forced out of the sport into retirement through injuries. I wasn't ready to leave." - Dominique Moceanu

"The Magnificent Seven" Movie (Circa 1960)

I have always loved this movie. Seven great men against the evil that wished to enslave innocent people

How we could use men like this now. They were some of the best BAD ASSES of my movie youth.

Can you name all seven? Here goes:

Yul Brynner: Chris Adams
Steve McQueen: Vin
Charles Bronson: Bernardo O'Reilly
Robert Vaughn: Lee
Brad Dexter: Harry Luck
James Coburn: Britt
Horst Buchholz: Chico

Even Eli Wallach played a great bad guy as Calvera.

Enjoy the clip.

"Nobody throws me my gun and says run... Nobody" - James Coburn as Britt in the movie "The Magnificent Seven"

Blonde Intelligence At Its Best

I saw this while surfing this evening. My title is not quite correct, as My Lovely Bride is blonde and she is the smartest woman I know.

Brooke Hogan, the daughter of Hulk Hogan made the following quote. After asserting that she's "not all that into voting," the singer disclosed her opinion on a woman's ability to handle being president.

"Like, I'm so moody all the time, I know I couldn't be able to run a country, 'cause I'd be crying one day and yelling at people the next day, y'know."

She is such a "mookette."

"There's nothing more dangerous than a resourceful idiot." - Scott Adams

G.I. Jose: A Real Mexican Hero

I first saw this clip as a part of Family Guy (season 6, episode 9). It is classic. The cart he is selling his "stuff" off of is a common sight around Texas.

I expect to get some negative, critical, and possibly down-right nasty comments about this post.

My quote today will be from the movie "The Big Chill".

"Fuck em if they can't take a joke." - Tom Berenger, who portrayed Sam Weber, ex-revolutionary turned millionaire actor in The Big Chill.

John Edwards Caught with Mistress, Love Child

Very rarely, if ever, do I take anything the National Inquirer publishes a gospel. None the less, when a post on the Drudge Report link to an article on The Inquirer, I must take notice.

Vice Presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards was caught visiting his mistress (Rielle Hunter) and secret love child at 2:40 yesterday morning in Los Angeles hotel.

Click here for the full story.

All I can say about this is: WHAT A PIG! HE IS A FRACKING LOSER! (if you do not know what "fracking" means, watch Battlestar Galactica on the SciFi Channel).

If he was a Republican, the liberal democrats would be all over this. How can a man whose wife has terminal cancer do such a things.

The answer:

HE IS A PIG!

HE IS A FRACKING LOSER!

HE IS A DEMOCRAT!

I think that says it all.

"Pain – hurt, I mean, I was – for me, I was very worried about the woman I love more than anything. I was pacing back and forth in the room where the bone scan was being done trying to look at it from every angle and see if it..." John Edwards when interviews by Katie Couric on 60 Minutes about his wife's cancer.

Reaction to Dominique Moceanu on "HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel"

I watched "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" on HBO Tuesday night to see what Dominique Moceanu had to say about Marta and Bela Karolyi.

Much of what she said was already published in various media sources prior to the interview's airing.

However, her statements spoke volumes about the Marta and Bela Karolyi. I have long thought they were and are a blight on USA Gymnastics. Sure, they put together the "Magnificent 7" for the Atlanta Olympics. They won the team gold and numerous other medals. Many at the time praised what they had done. My question was, "Where was all the competition?" The USA were at that time and still are the most powerful sports country in the world. There is no doubt about that. They should have won, with or without the Karolyis at the helm. However the Karolyis' took the credit and the rest is history.

If they had faced tougher competition, how would they have done? No one can tell, but I do not think they were as dominate at some of the Soviet and Romanian teams of the 1960s to the 1980s. I am not trying to take away from what they did. They did a tremendous job, but how much of it was due to the Karolyis.

I remember a video clip of the 1984 Olympics after Mary Lou Retton won the gold medal in the All Around. Bela was not part of the USA coaching staff, but was seen bullying his way to the floor to congratulate Retton. He sort of pushed the USA coach out of the way and took over.

That clip right there solidified my opinion of Bela Karolyi. He is a bully. He pushes way in front of the camera and takes over. Look what he did with Kerry Shrug in 1996. A camera hog if I ever saw one.

Marta Karolyi had a reply for the Moceanu's accusations in HBO, but it was not much.

I feel sad that a gymnast as accomplished as Dominique can (only) remember the harder days during preparation. I feel sad because the preparation to become an Olympic champion is a longer road and not every single moment is an easy moment.

Marta was real good at playing the victim. I thought she would can out and deny the accusations. perhaps she and Bela are going to leave that to others. I think much more will come out on this as time goes on. The Karolyi's time has pasted and the damage they have done is enough.

Click here to view Dominique Moceanu's website and here for her blog. There are some interesting comments about all the accusations on both.

"People are hoping that there'll be change. If it was up to the athletes, it would have happened a long time ago." - Dominique Moceanu

Hurricane Dolly Heads Inland

Tropical Storm Dolly became Hurricane Dolly yesterday, and will hit the border between Texas and Mexico sometime early today (Wednesday morning).


I expect it to diminish quickly. On a positive note, it will drop needed rain on the lower Texas coast.


Thank goodness it did not hit the Houston area.

"Where I am they can smell out a hurricane. My house survived Hurricane Hazel, but it didn't get past Hugo." - Mickey Spillane

Gymnastics Has 'Dark Side' and Karolyis are Part of the Problem

Dominique Moceanu, the youngest member of the "Magnificent Seven" team that won gold at the 1996 Olympics, is crying foul on USA Gymnastics.

The 26-year-old, who retired in 2000 with a knee injury, began a comeback in 2005 that ended when she failed to qualify for the 2006 national championships.

Two years later, in an interview with HBO Sports to air Tuesday (July 22), Moceanu says elite gymnastics has a "dark side" and that many close to the U.S. program, including current and former athletes, wish Bela Karolyi and his wife, Marta, were ousted from their leadership positions.

You can read the story here.


The truth is finally coming out about the Karolyis. Many in the gymnastics game know the truth about these two and are afraid to say anything, due to backlash.

The Karolyis want to produce champions, but only to further their own resume and power.

They should have been removed from competitive gymnastics in the USA long ago. Look for more on Bela and Marta Karolyi to come out, now that Moceanu has come forward.

"My attitude is never to be satisfied, never enough, never.” - Bela Karolyi

A Test To See How Far You Would Go!!!

The below test is courtesy of Law and Order Teacher (by way of Obob's World).

It is interesting. Try it.

"He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious." - Sun Tzu

28

Created by OnePlusYou

Marion Jones Asks President Bush for Pardon

Disgraced U.S. sprinter Marion Jones has asked President George W. Bush to commute her six-month prison sentence for lying to prosecutors about her steroid use, a Justice Department spokesman said on Monday.

You can read the story here.

I remember following Jones' career in track. She was wonderful (at least I thought). When the allegations came out about her drug usage and her connection to BALCO, my opinion of her went south.

President Bush: DO NOT PARDON HER!

She needs to serve her time and pay her FULL debt to society. She (among others) is one of the reasons sports are losing their glitter.

"I'm for a drug-free sport and always will be." - Marion Jones

Tropical Storm Dolly Forms in Gulf

It looks as if Tropical Storm Dolly will hit lower Texas and Upper Mexico. However, can we trust the national Hurricane Center's prediction?

I will wait and see where it heads. As long as it stays away from Texas proper (central to upper coast region) I will be happy.

"It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared." - Whitney M. Young, Jr.

Cristobal Is Upon Us (But Not Texas)

From a Houston Chronicle report:

Tropical Storm Cristobal churned off the Southeast seaboard after it formed Saturday, the first storm to threaten the U.S. this hurricane season, forecasters said.

The storm strengthened from a tropical depression, generating maximum sustained winds of about 45 mph as it promised to bring much-needed rains to the parched eastern Carolinas.

At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of the storm was about 125 miles east of Charleston and about 205 miles southwest of Cape Hatteras, N.C. The National Hurricane Center said Cristobal was moving northeast at about 7 mph.

Although the center of the storm was forecast to remain off the coast through the weekend, tropical storm warnings were in effect from the South Santee River in South Carolina to the North Carolina-Virginia state line, including Pamlico Sound.

Flood advisories were posted for coastal counties and Wilmington, N.C., received 2 1/2 inches of rain Saturday, said Stephen Keebler, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service there. Cristobal's winds were not expected to be a problem, Keebler said.

At least it is nowhere near Texas.

"It is better to meet danger than to wait for it. He that is on a lee shore, and foresees a hurricane, stands out to sea and encounters a storm to avoid a shipwreck." - Charles Caleb Colton

How True...How True!!!

Need I say any more?

"A picture is worth a thousand words." - Various people have made this quote.

Roger Clemens Is Screwed: Part 2

It's perhaps the deadest day of the sports year, which is extremely bad news for the sinking ship that is the USS Roger Clemens. Two weeks after Brian McNamee's lawyers provided syringes allegedly used by Clemens, admitted 'roid supplier Kirk Radomski reportedly found documentary evidence that HGH was shipped to the pitcher's house.

According to the Daily News, Radomski happened upon shipping receipts from 2002 and 2003 that document the sending of Human Growth Hormone to Clemens. The dates of the receipts coincide with times during which Clemens' wife used the drug in preparation for her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot.

Such evidence seems to corroborate claims that the former Yankee and Astro introduced his wife to HGH and was present when she first used. Clemens denies having any knowledge of his wife's experience with the steroid. The cheater's gaggle of lawyers is denying any knowledge of such packing slips, but we all know that's a crock. Clemens has dug himself a grave, and every new piece of evidence shovels more dirt onto him.

He has no sympathy from fellow players or fans because of his increasingly ludicrous denials and has pretty much destroyed any chance at a Hall of Fame bid. Hope the underage country singers and shots in the butt were worth it.

"My body never changed. If he's putting that stuff up in my body, if what he's saying which is totally false, if he's doing that to me, I should have a third ear coming out of my forehead. I should be pulling tractors with my teeth."- Roger Clemens

Roger Clemens is Screwed: Part 1

Roger Clemens, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, is under investigation for possibly perjury. He has denied under oath using HGH, or having any prior knowledge that his wife was going to use HGH.

New York Daily News is reporting Kirk Radomski the confessed drug supplier, has provided the authorities with shipping receipts for a package of two kits of HGH that he sent in late 2002 or 2003 to Clemens at the pitcher's palatial mansion in Houston.

These key documents may finally lead the Federal investigators to find the proofs wether Roger Clemens or Debbie Clemens had used HGH or not.

It seems that the LONGGGGGGGGGGG arm of the law may be catching up with The Rocket.

"I'm angry that that what I've done for the game of baseball and the personal, in my private life, what I've done, that I don't get the benefit of the doubt. The stuff that's being said, it's ridiculous." - Roger Clemens

MLB Hall of Fame Musings

I was watching Major League Baseball's All Star Game tonight. I have really gotten back into watching baseball in the last few years and the All Star Game is one that I never miss.

They had a very nice way of introducing the starting lineups. They introduced each position player and along with the player, introduced Hall of Fame players who played that position.

I saw many of my favorites, including Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, and others.

I was hoping one of them would be wearing a Houston Astros cap. None did. This started me to thinking about Hall of Famers who have played for the Astros.

So I got on the Internet and looked up all the players who played for the Astros and are in the Hall of Fame. Here they are:

Leo Durocher-manager: 1972-1973
Robin Roberts-pitcher: 1965-1966
Nellie Fox-second base: 1964-1965
Nolan Ryan-pitcher: 1980-1988
Eddie Mathews-third base: 1967
Don Sutton-pitcher: 1981-1982
Joe Morgan-second base: 1963-1971

When they are inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, their plaque lists all the teams they played for and each player is shown wearing a team cap. Here are the players with the respective cap they are wearing on their Hall of Fame plaque.

Leo Durocher: Brooklyn Dodgers
Robin Roberts: Philadelphia Phillies
Nellie Fox: Chicago White Sox
Nolan Ryan: Texas Rangers
Eddie Mathews: Milwaukee Braves
Don Sutton: Los Angeles Dodgers
Joe Morgan: Cincinnati Reds

As of now, there are no players in the Hall of Fame wearing an Astros cap. My other two favorite teams are the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates have 36 players and the Yankees 39 players in the Hall of Fame. There are 12 Players wearing a Pirates cap and 19 players wear a Yankees cap. Actually, there may be 20 players wearing a Yankees cap, as the Hall of Fame lists Reggie Jackson's primary team at the Oakland A's, but I believe he wears a Yankees cap on his plaque.

I wonder who will be the first players to wear and Astros cap? I think it will probably be Craig Biggio. Although Jeff Bagwell retired before Biggio, I think Biggio will gain admittance to the Hall of Fame before Bagwell.

I also think neither will get in on the first ballot, as Houston is not a major media market. However, I do feel Biggio is worthy of the Hall. His numbers and stats are far better than some other second basemen already in the Hall.

It would be nice to see an Astros cap on a Hall of Fame plaque. Perhaps it will happen while I am still alive.

This is just some food for thought. This post is not my usual thoughts, but it was something that made me think this evening. Thank you for allowing me to indulge

"I guess good things come to those who wait. I love my teammates, and the city, and the organization, and it's unbelievable to even to say 'World Series,' and that we're going right now." - Craig Biggio

Evel Knievel's First TV Jump!

This is Evel Knievel's first jump shown on Wide World of Sport in 1967. It was rebroadcast on ESPN.

I had never heard of Evel Knievel before 1969. My grandmother was visiting us in Texas and I had a poster of Easy Rider up in my room. She asked if it was Evel Knievel. I told her I had never heard of him. She progressed to tell me who he was and what he had done.

I was amazed that my grandmother knew who he was. I am still amazed to this day. I wonder what else my grandmother knew that she never told me. She was remarkable old girl.

Rest in Peace Grandma. You are not forgotten.

"There are a lot of myths about my injuries. They say I have broken every bone in my body. Not true. But I have broken 35 bones. I had surgery 14 times to pin and plate. I shattered my pelvis. I forget all of the things that have broke." - Evel Knievel

2008 Hurricane Season is Upon Us (in Texas)

The 2008 hurricane season is upon us. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. I keep very close watch here in Texas of any storms that form in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. I still have the window coverings ready in case we are instructed to evacuate. I doubt the winds and water could get to me where I live, but I am prepared, none the less.

The 2008 hurricane names are as follows:
Arthur
Bertha
Cristobal
Dolly
Edouard
Fay
Gustav
Hanna
Ike
Josephine
Kyle
Laura
Marco
Nana
Omar
Paloma
Rene
Sally
Teddy
Vicky
Wilfred

We have already had three named storms this season. Here is a recap:
Arthur (Tropical Storm)
Born: May 31, 2008 2:00 PM EDT
Tropical storm Alma crossed over Central America into the warm waters of the Caribbean and strengthened into tropical storm Arthur, the first named storm of the Atlantic season. It officially formed near the coast of Belize and dumped heavy rain on Central America and southern Mexico.
Died: May 31, 2008 8:28 PM EST (estimated)

Bertha (Topical Storm)
Born: July 10, 2008 2:00 PM EDT
Bertha moved towards the northwest before changing direction, heading toward Bermuda. It is currenty listed as a Category 3 storm. It does not look like it will hit the United States.

Cristobal (Forming?)
We could soon be looking at a new tropical depression with the potential to strengthen into a tropical storm. The disturbance is about 1200 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. The National Hurricane Center says conditions are favorable for development. The system could become a tropical depression any time during the next day or two as it moves to the west-northwest at 15 mph.

I will stay abreast of these storms. It is interesting to see how they form and where they go. Be advised: if they get anywhere close to the Texas coast with any intensity, I will be thinking about heading north.

"They whirled past the dark trees, as feathers would be swept before a hurricane. Houses, gates, churches, hay-stacks, objects of every kind they shot by, with a velocity and noise like roaring waters suddenly let loose. Still the noise of pursuit grew louder, and still my uncle could hear the young lady wildly screaming, "Faster! Faster!"" - Charles Dickens

Barack HUSSEIN Obama's Take on Speaking a Second Language

Barack HUSSEIN Obama addressed the issue of official languages recently by endorsing one: Spanish. Instead of worrying about immigrants learning English, he told an audience, America should be teaching its children Spanish. Every child should be bilingual, Obama said, but listen to the language he chooses later:

Well, which is it — should we teach them Spanish or French? Maybe we should teach them Chinese, or perhaps Arabic. Immigrants come from around the world to live in America. Perhaps Obama doesn’t realize this, but they don’t all speak Spanish. If our children have to learn foreign languages so that immigrants feel at home here, then we’d better plan on keeping them in school for about 30 years.

Also, Obama’s argument here makes no sense. He’s complaining that Americans don’t speak the native language when we visit Europe, but that we don’t speak the immigrant language when people move to the United States. With that argument, shouldn’t we expect Europeans to speak English when we travel there?

I agree that everyone should learn a foreign language. I studied and spoke French when I was younger, while my father was stationed in France. I know a little Spanish from growing up in Texas, and I studied Russian for several years. The study of foreign language not only broadens one’s cultural perspective, but it also helps in understanding one’s native tongue. However, to argue that Americans should learn Spanish as a higher priority than insisting that immigrants learn English is nonsense, and Obama’s argument for it is a giant non-sequitur. It carries a strong whiff of America-bashing, too.

If I emigrated to a country where English was not the language, I would not demand that the government produce signs and pamphlets in English; I’d learn the language. My children would learn it as well if I expected them to succeed in their new land.

"At no time is freedom of speech more precious than when a man hits his thumb with a hammer." - Marshall Lumsden

"Saving Private Ryan" Omaha Beach Landing: Part 2

They were "The Greatest Generation."

[last lines]
Old James Ryan: Tell me I have led a good life.
Ryan's Wife: What?
Old James Ryan: Tell me I'm a good man.
Ryan's Wife: You *are*.

Obama Considers NASCAR Sponsorship

It has been released in an article on the Houston Chronicle website that Barack HUSSEIN Obama is considering a NASCAR sponsorship.

To me, this is another attempt by Oprah's Love Child to gain votes. The only reason Barack HUSSEIN Obama would sponsor a team in NASCAR would be to make to make people think he is an "Average Joe" who loves All-American sports.

This is exactly like his attempt to convince people he could shoot hoops. I cannot believe any NASCAR fan would fall for his lame attempt to draw voters from NASCAR's conservative base.

"There is a sucker born every minute." - David Hannum, as spoken in reference to P.T. Barnum's part in the Cardiff Giant hoax.

"Saving Private Ryan" Omaha Beach Landing: Part 1

This is the most realistic battle scene in any war movie! It is powerful, horrific and disturbing. I cannot believe my father and his generation when through this.

It made me appreciate their sacrefices even more.

I will post part two tomorrow.

" I'm a schoolteacher. I teach English composition... in this little town called Adley, Pennsylvania. The last eleven years, I've been at Thomas Alva Edison High School. I was a coach of the baseball team in the springtime. Back home, I tell people what I do for a living and they think well, now that figures. But over here, it's a big, a big mystery. So, I guess I've changed some. Sometimes I wonder if I've changed so much my wife is even going to recognize me, whenever it is that I get back to her. And how I'll ever be able to tell her about days like today. Ah, Ryan. I don't know anything about Ryan. I don't care. The man means nothing to me. It's just a name. But if... You know if going to Rumelle and finding him so that he can go home. If that earns me the right to get back to my wife, then that's my mission." Captain John H. Miller as played by Tom Hanks in the movie "Saving Private Ryan"

I HAVE RETURNED TO TEXAS

My lovely bride and I returned to Texas last night (Wednesday) and are finally back in our home (and our own bed).

I will post some thoughts about the trip as the month progresses. It was great and the relaxation was enjoyed and needed.

In addition, I will now begin reading some of MY blog list posts and see what my fellow bloggers and readers have been up to.

Thanks for understanding and see you soon.

"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." - Jack Kerouac

Apocalypse Now Redux Trailer

"When I do a novel, I don't really use the script, I use the book; when I did Apocalypse Now, I used Heart of Darkness. Novels usually have so much rich material." - Francis Ford Coppola

Apocalypse Now..Ride Of The Valkyries

Sit back and enjoy!!! I know you will like it!!!

[while flying in a helicopter with Air Cavalry soldiers]
Chef: Why do all you guys sit on your helmets?
Soldier: So we don't get our balls blown off.

I love the smell of napalm in the morning......

Everyone knows this scene from the movie "Apocalypse Now." Enjoy!!!

"I love the smell of napalm in the morning. You know, one time we had a hill bombed, for 12 hours. When it was all over, I walked up. We didn't find one of 'em, not one stinkin' dink body. The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory. Someday this war's gonna end..." - Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore as played by Robert Duvall in the movie "Apocalypse Now."

"Kelly's Heroes" Trailer

Here is the movie trailer from "Kelly's Heroes." This is a classic movie with a superb cast. This is another one of the movies that they do not make any more.

"We see our role as essentially defensive in nature. While our armies are advancing so fast and everyone's knocking themselves out to be heroes, we are holding ourselves in reserve in case the Krauts mount a counteroffensive which threatens Paris...or maybe even New York. Then we can move in and stop them. But for 1.6 million dollars, we could become heroes for three days." - Oddball as played by Donald Sutherland in the movie "Kelly's Heroes."

Report #6 From the Road

We got to New York yesterday. I do love this city, except for the prices. However, there are good deals to be found from street vendors.

Found gas in New Jersey for $4.05 a gallon. We filled up.

More later.

"A person who speaks good English in New York sounds like a foreigner." - Jackie Mason

"Combat" Opening

"Combat" was one of my favorite shows of my early youth. It was one of the earliest television show I remember watching.

Enjoy!!!

"World War II was the last government program that really worked." - George Will

Happy Birthday USA

Today is our nation's birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA

I hope we have many more together!!!

"Liberty is the great parent of science and of virtue; and a nation will be great in both always in proportion as it is free." - Thomas Jefferson

"Tour of Duty" Opening

Here is the opening from the television show "Tour of Duty." This was a great show. I wish they would show it again on the History Channel.

"Over here, you're either scared or crazy... Or dead." Sgt. Zeke Anderson as portrayed by Terence Knox in the television show "Tour of Duty."

Report #5 From the Road.

We do not have much internet access on the road. I will post when I can.

PS: It is nice not to be in hot Texas weather.

"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." - Robert Louis Stevenson

JOE HORN CLEARED BY GRAND JURY

Since I have been on the road, I have not been able to see much news from Texas. I just got word that Joe Horn was cleared by the Harris County Grand Jury.

I am so glad. Mr. Horn did what every clear thinking red-blooded American should do...STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT!!!

I am going to post that last statement again in large bold letters.

Mr. Horn did what every clear thinking red-blooded American should do...STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT!!!

I hear that there may be protests in his neighborhood in Pasadena, Texas by Quanell X and is merry band of malcontents.

Gosh...I wish I was home in Texas right now. I just might drive down to Pasadena to show my support for Mr. Horn and shout down that big mouth nobody Quanell X.

I found this small bit of information on the Houston Chronicle website:

The shooting brought hundreds of protesters to the Village Grove East subdivision where Horn lives with his daughter and her family. One protest included supporters of Houston activist Quanell X and motorcyclists countering his remarks. The protest which brought hundreds to the neighborhood led to the Pasadena City Council to approve a city ordinance banning protests in front of a residential home.

Aside from the shooting itself, the national debate revolved around the fact that Ortiz and Torres were illegal immigrants from Colombia. Torres had been sent to prison for dealing cocaine and was deported in 1999.

The end result is an honest good man is cleared and two pieces of trash are no longer in the streets.

All I can say is HURRAH!!!!!

"Two criminals down...many more to go." - Texas Truth