Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Rice pledges smooth transition

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says she's proud of the election of Barack Obama.

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Giants Handle Cowboys-almost have clear shot at division title

Giants Handle Cowboys-almost have clear shot at division title
By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Managing Partner Football Reporters Online

The New York Giants could have had the collapse of the decade. They could have fell apart. They could have played down to their competition as they did against the Browns, Bengals, and countless other teams over the years. Instead they came out and played “their game” against Dallas yesterday in the meadowlands. They established the run early, and although they had a few turnovers, and a few penalties more then normal, but in the end they finished the game up on the Cowboys by 21 points. They also moved to a 7-1 record, a half game ahead of all other challengers thus far in the NFC.

The Giants formula for success thus far has been a continuation of what they did late last season. Play solid defense, and establish the running game to open up the passing lanes. It doesn’t hurt that the kicking game has been so good over the last few years, with Jeff Feagles as the Punter and first Lawrence Tynes, and now John Carney placekicking. The Offense hasn’t been this good since the 60’s when Y.A. Tittle had Gifford, Shofner, Rote, and Morrison to throw to. While there are plenty of Current Giants to throw to, it’s the Earth (Brandon Jacobs) Wind ,(Derrick Ward), and Fire (Amahd Bradshaw) to run the ball that is the difference in this team since late last season.

But who is this 2008 Giants team really? Do they have what it takes to win the division, conference, and get back to the Super Bowl let alone win it for the second year in a row? Lots of obstacles stand in their way. First, there is the Eagles, who just refuse to die at 5-3, even though they are 0-2 in the division. Then, trailing close behind the Giants is Washington, who is 6-2, the only difference is the opening night loss to the Giants. Even Dallas, who just lost to NY yesterday, is still only 5-4 and coming up on their bye week. Carolina & Tampa in the South (6-2 & 6-3 respectively), Chicago in the North (at 5-3), and Arizona in the west,(also 5-3) are all competitive as well. Even Atlanta is 5-3, but like Dallas is 0-2 in their division.

If the Giants fall into a late season slump like they did in 2005’s playoffs or in the second half of the 2006 regular season, then you will hear the cry for Couglin’s head again. People are starting to claim that the Giants are the team to beat. I say I’m glad they aren’t letting the press clippings get to them. They almost blew it big time against The Bengals, and had a meltdown against the Browns. Now comes the big Sunday night match up with the Eagles. They will have to prove that they are the team to beat again.

Michael Crichton Passed On Election Day Of Cancer At 66 Years Old

This shocking news.  Author and screenwriter Michael Crichton died yesterday , Election Day, after what was described as a "private battle with cancer".  He was 66 years old.  


For me, Crichton was an introduction to the pop-culture possibilities of science.  From the quasi-possible book and movie  "The Andromeda Strain" to my favorite  "Jurrasic Park" , to his take on Japan / American economic and corporate relations "Rising Sun" and of course the popular television show "ER", Crichton's work never failed to entertain and inform.  


This video shows some of his books that were made into movies:






Ralph Nader Calls President-Elect Obama an "Uncle Tom" And Will Not Appologize

Well, whatever respect I had for Ralph Nader, and it was still considerable at a factor of 6 out of 10, was just reduced to 4 out of 10. This is because the Independent candidate for President, who got trounced by Senator Barack Obama last night, got on a Houston radio station and referred to Ralph Nader as an "Uncle Tom", which is a historically insulting term claiming that a Black person is White in some way and is intended to say that person's "not Black." Then Nader repeated the racist action on "Studio B with Shepard Smith". Here's the video:




I don't know why Nader's decided to be so racist so late in life, but such statements as that one and his earlier assertion that Obama "talks White " point to a major stereotype Nader holds about African Americans and would seem to "color" any good deed he wants to do in the future.

Obama party on Washington DC street still going at 2.30am

Obama Celebration: Harlem Style Parade For Obama

Ithaca College Celebrates Obama Singing "Star Spangled Banner"