Fiscal responsibility

Yesterday, the federal government passed a law allowing the US government to increase the national debt by $800 billion. The initiative, pushed by the Republican majority in Congress, makes the maximum allowable debt 70% of the total US government's budget. After passing the measure, the House Republicans blamed the Democrats for increased spending.

WTF!!!!!!!

Didn't the Clinton administration spend the time from 1992-2000 paying down the deficit? The debt ballooned out of control thanks to Dubya's tax cuts combined with the "war" on terror.

When the Republican Party was founded, it was as the party of abolition. After the Civil War, under the leadership of President Grant, the Republicans shifted the emphasis of the party to that of fiscal responsibility.

True conservatives should be up in arms over this.

What happened to FSU's O-line?

I watched the FSU-NC State game last night on ESPN.

Lee Corso was saying Wyatt Sexton should have been yanked for Chris Rix in the second half after the FSU offense put up all of 38 yards in total offense and trailed 10-0.

I don't think Rix would have helped any. In fact, I don't think Joe Montana in his prime would have helped. The FSU offensive line was horrible for most of the game and Sexton spent the first half running for his life.

This is the same problem that the Miami Dolphins have. For the Fish, it's not the quarterback, it's not Dave Wannstadt, it's not David Boston and it's not Ricky Wiliams. It's an offensive line thats . . . well, offensive.

Same thing for FSU last night; no matter how good the QB is, if he's running for his life every play and the running game can't get started, he'll struggle. I hope they get their act together because they need to run the table and get help to win the ACC title.

Is there really a demand for this

I found this article over at CNN.com/Entertainment.

I understand the novelty of William Shatner "singing" and it's really pretty funny. But is it necessary? What does it say about us as a culture when things like this aren't immediately supressed for the good of humankind? Who will actually pay money for Shatner's CD (besides Trekkies)?

Shatner 'Transformed' again

NEW YORK (Billboard) -- Actor William Shatner's infamous 1968 album "The Transformed Man" will be reissued December 7 by Geffen Records.

The set, which features the venerable Capt. James T. Kirk reading poetry over ultra-serious musical accompaniment and covering such contemporary classics as Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" and the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," has been remastered from the original tapes.

Shatner recently returned to the studio to record the Shout Factory album "Has Been," which was produced by Ben Folds.

Rhino has previously fanned the flames of cult adoration for "The Transformed Man" by featuring tracks from it on three of its "Golden Throats" compilations. The original album never charted on The Billboard 200 and although it was available for many years via Varese Saraband, it has sold just 8,000 copies in the United States since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991. The set has been out of print since early 2001.

Shatner reprised his deadpan delivery on a series of 2000 commercials for Priceline.com, which found him reciting the lyrics to such songs as C.W. McCall's "Convoy" and the Animals' "We Gotta Get Out of This Place."

Some quick football thoughts

• Is anyone playing better football right now than the Steelers? Despite having a rookie QB and the shakiest 100-yard rusher in the league, Pittsburgh is just killing people.
  
  
• The Patriots have been good, and they are still the defending World Champions, but it looks like injuries have finally caught up with them. Of course, having Troy Brown play defense, Mike Vrabel catch TDs and Adam Vinatieri throw TDs covers up for some of that.
  
  
• I'm glad Steve Spurrier didn't take the job at Florida. It's not right, either for him or for the Gators. What else can he do, other than fail to meet expectations? Maybe he'll take the job at UNC or even take another stab at the NFL with the Dolphins, but I don't think going back to the Swamp was ever in his best interests.
  
  
• I wonder if the Eagles are regretting making the deal for Terrell Owens. I know I'd never have taken him.
  
  
• Byron Leftwich needs a system that gets rid of the ball faster. He's taking too many hits. At this pace, he'll be forced into retirement within 3 years.
  
  
• Drew Brees won't be in San Diego next year. Despite being in an offense that is not particularly QB-friendly, he's tearing up defenses. Being in a contract year will do that. It makes you wonder if the Chargers should have done something other than trade for Philip Rivers, or if Rivers's presence has lit a fire under Brees.
  
  

VOTE!!!!

Tomorrow is election day.

Even though the Redskins have all but guaranteed a John Kerry win, it's important for people of all political persuasions to go out and vote.

In other news, all but one of Florida's major college football teams lost. Florida, Florida State and Miami all lost on the same weekend for that first time since 1978. In addition, UCF lost, USF lost and FUI lost. The only Florida school to win was FAU, and they beat FAMU. Even the Jaguars lost and the Dolphins stand a good chance of losing to the Jets tonight. The only Florida team that didn't lose is the Bucs, and they had the week off.

All of the football karma built up in the 90s must have worn off.