Let Me Get This Straight....

So, it seems that this morning, at 3:57 AM, an armed assault team went a-shoppin' for Home Electronics at an East Hills apartment. From the PG:

A 13-year-old East Hills boy told police he was awakened early today by four armed men who pistol-whipped and beat him to unconsciousness and tied him up before stealing a car and electronics equipment.

Four armed men beating and pistol-whipping a 13 year-old? Outrageous! 

The youth, whose name was not given, was sleeping in his residence in the 2300 block of Park Hill Drive when, at about 3:57 a.m., he was awakened by a man wearing a ski mask and brandishing a handgun. The suspect, who was accompanied by three others, one of whom had a shotgun, put the weapon in the youth's face and told him to get up. He was forced into the living room, pistol-whipped and struck in the back of the head, causing him to black out. 

 The victim reported that when he regained consciousness he was lying on the couch with his hands bound behind his back. He complained that the bindings were cutting off his circulation so the actors cut him free. The victim told police the suspects dragged him from the home to a wooded area and continued to kick and beat him and then, using keys stolen from the victim's home, fled in a tan 1993 Ford Crown Victoria towards Penn Hills.

So, four guys break into an apartment at 3:57 AM in search of loot. Hey, it happens. They happen upon a resident. Again, it happens. Then, they pistol-whip this kid till he blacks-out. Huh? They tie him up but, apparently, the bindings are too tight and they cut the kid free after he wakes up and complains. Whaaaat? Then they drag this little innocent into the woods and beat him some more.

The victim went back into his home and called his sister who lives two blocks away on Park Hill Drive. She went to the youth's home, took him back to her house, and called 911.

The sister told police other items taken from the home included a PS3 game, laptop computer, and cell phone.

OK, that's enough.

• A 13 year old is awakened, at gunpoint at 3:57 AM. Not "around 4". Not "it was really late". Not even "Gee, officer, I'm not sure what time it was, what with I was sleeping and all. Not to mention the fact that there was a gun in my face when I awoke." But 3:57 AM.
• I'm  not going to go into a rant about the state of the nuclear family unit in American society, but no mention of parent (natural or foster), a guardian or, dare I say, an ADULT in the apartment at 3:57 AM? Musta been that George Bush so screwed the economy that the caregiver for this 13 year old was working a third job at that time of the morning. Ya know, just to make ends meet.
• The youngster then calls sis (again- parent? guardian?) who picks the kid up and takes him back to her place. Sis gives the cops an inventory of what was stolen. The kid didn't see?

I just can't wait for the rest of this story to come out.


Check out WPXI's video here. Pay special attention to the "friend of the victim" who "was outside with friends" (doesn't anybody sleep in this neighborhood?) when he saw the bloody kid looking for help:

 Hmmm, red bandana and red do-rag. Seems to me, back in the day.....

The Voice is Silenced

RIP

Ronnie James Dio

(1942-2010)

Ronnie James Dio dies at 67; legendary heavy metal singer

Ronnie James Dio, a legendary heavy metal singer who replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath and also was lead singer for the bands Rainbow and Dio, has died. He was 67.

 Dio died Sunday, according to a statement on his website by Wendy Dio, his wife and manager. Maureen O'Connor, a Los Angeles publicist, said Dio died in Los Angeles. No cause was given, but Dio had said last summer that he was suffering from stomach cancer.

Justice Ain't Blind, It's Cross-Eyed

On April 20, 2010, Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin:

• Sentenced Nancy J. Kane for a DUI. Kane, 41, has to serve 30 days to six months in prison under the terms of Baldwin's sentence, which the judge made effective at 9 a.m. April 25.He also sentenced her to pay costs, $800 in fines, a $100 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.
  Kane pleaded guilty on Feb. 25 to DUI, driving an unregistered vehicle and improper turning movements, which Schuylkill Haven borough police had charged her with committing on April 4, 2009, in the borough.
• Another defendant, David A. Bevan, 50, of Auburn, will spend 48 hours to six months in prison, pay costs, a $750 fine, a $100 SAEF payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and a $194.58 bench warrant fee under the terms of Baldwin's sentence, which the judge made effective at 6 p.m. today.
  Bevan pleaded guilty on Feb. 25 to DUI, which state police at Schuylkill Haven charged him with committing on Sept. 6, 2008.
• In another April 22 hearing, David C. Kemmerer, 47, of Barnesville, will spend 60 months in the intermediate punishment program, which combines supervision and treatment, under the terms of Baldwin's sentence.
  Kemmerer pleaded guilty on Feb. 25 to DUI, driving under suspension-DUI related, careless driving and seat belt violation, which state police at Frackville charged him with committing on March 5, 2009.
  Kemmerer also must pay costs, $3,535 in fines and a $300 SAEF payment and perform 40 hours community service under the terms of Baldwin's sentence.

It's probably a good thing a certain city fire captain was arrested in  the City of Champions rather than Barnesville.

For pleading guilty to two DUIs, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Beth Lazzara sentenced him to 
"a week on house arrest" as well as "serve nine months of probation, pay $1,500 in fines, attend safe driving classes and pay court costs."

In return for pleading guilty, prosecutors  dropped several other charges. With minimal effort, those additional charges can be found online. Interesting reading.

"You, sir, have a position as a role model in the community. Little kids look up to you," Lazzara said. "A guilty plea to two DUIs is certainly not living up to that."

Is it any surprise there seems to be a we're-teflon, can't-touch-this mentality within the ranks of the city payroll?

Oh yeah, obviously the captain is a safer drinker than he is a driver. Hope the classes help.

Check out the Pittsburgh Comet for a related story.

Mr. Ben-isan Goes To Tokyo

• Just for giggles, what do you think the caption says?
• Why didn't someone tell me there's scammers on the web? Seriously, check this out for some laughs. The Trophy Room is hilarious
• I wonder if the Ambassador has the new Eminem on his I-pod.

"F**k that, I'd rather turn this club into a bar room brawl.
Get as rowdy as Roethlisberger in a bathroom stall"

•  Pens and Canadiens in Round 2. F-Ovechkin. It says here he never gets his name on the Cup (nice photoshop)
• OBLIGATORY PIRATES NOTE AHEAD: The Buccos stretched their win streak to TWO yesterday. They beat the Brewers,1-0, in Milwaukee no less. And took 14 innings to do it. Just a note to those who say each game is just 1 game, that winning by one or losing by 20 aside, it's just 1 game: 9-12 (W/L) is not the same as 78-155. Take a look at those numbers... 78 Runs Scored, 155 Runs Against. Now, say you're in a fight. You punch the other guy in the face 9 times and he gets 12 shots in on you. Next day, same guy, you get in 78 to his 155. Still think the numbers are the same?
• How far wrong has an interview gone when "Is your Mom a prostitute?" seems like the next logical question?

"My job is to find out as much information as possible about a player that I'm considering drafting. Sometimes that leads to asking in-depth questions,"

WTF

UPDATE

The latest Big Ben news...

Time For Goodbye

I always knew that the day would come when it would be time to step back and away from the keyboard and, as Chuck Noll would say, get on with my life's work. I guess I just never thought it would come so soon. After all, it was just about a year ago that I started this little cyber-journey. It's amazing, looking back through past posts, just how little has changed.

The beginning of the end came the other day as I was checking my e-mails.

From the Sports Desk

Lost among the Roethlisberger fiasco and the Draft Day festivities...

Read the whole incredible story here.

While I'm Thinking About It...

• First, obviously, Ben Roethlisberger: I am absolutely astounded at the number of people out there who were surprised that Big Ben got a suspension for his antics. Personally, I wouldn't have objected to a season off for the idiot. I also believe that any "stern talking to" he was going to receive was given after the alleged Nevada incident. (Side note- remember all the interviews, news conferences, denials, etc, after Lake Tahoe? Pretty silent this time, huh?)

I also think that a suspension, by the Steelers at least, became inevitable right after the "Don't make me
come over there" call came from Dublin.

And to the "it's just not fair, he wasn't convicted of anything" crowd- Nowhere in anything that I've read,
have I seen that the dumbass was suspended for rape, assault , or any other crime. He's not going to jail,
just getting some time off from work. Think about your job. I'm betting you could probably be suspended
for violating policy without being convicted, right? Also, how 'bout this simple exercise- take a couple of
minutes to read this, only substitute Tom Brady, Carson Palmer, or Peyton Manning wherever you read
Ben Roethlisberger. How do you feel about suspension now?

All of this is not to say he should or will be traded. Floating his name during Draft Week, I think hope was
just the final piece in "Message.Sent." Trading him just doesn't make good sense. I don't think that moral
high ground will mean much in December when the team needs an MIT professor to explain what needs
to happen to get a Wild Card berth.

"Fly Like an Eagle..."

Breaking news...

American Airlines Now Charging Fees To Non-Passengers

FORT WORTH, TX—Cash-strapped American Airlines announced a new series of fees this week that will apply to all customers not currently flying, scheduled to fly, or even thinking about flying aboard the commercial carrier.

The fees, the latest introduced by American Airlines in a continuing effort to combat its financial woes, will take effect on Monday. According to company officials, these charges will include a $25 tax on citizens traveling with any other airline, as well as a mandatory $30 surcharge for passengers who decide to just stay home for the holidays instead.

"Tough times unfortunately mean tough measures," American Airlines president Gerard Arpey said. "It's never an easy decision to ask our loyal customers, as well as thousands of people chosen at random out of a telephone book, to pay a little extra, but that's just the reality of today's economic climate. We hope all Americans will understand this when receiving one of our new bills in the mail."

Read the full story here.

RIP

ETHAN LONEY

From the Mailbag

In the Inbox...

Ted Nugent, rock star and avid bow hunter from Michigan , was being interviewed by a liberal journalist, an animal rights activist.  The discussion came around to deer hunting.

The journalist asked, 'What do you think is the last thought in the head of a deer before you shoot him? Is it, 'Are you my friend?' or is it 'Are you the one who killed my brother?

Nugent replied, 'Deer aren't capable of that kind of thinking. All they care about is, what am I going to eat next, who am I going to screw next, and can I run fast enough to get away. They are very much like the Democrats in Congress.'

    The interview ended. 

Go Ted!!
Check Snopes.com for the whole story.

In Memoriam

All Gave Some, Some Gave All

Introducing Your 2010 Pittsburgh Pirates...

From Dejan Kovacevic at the PG:

Forget .500 ball, get Cooperstown on the phone!

Seriously, every year at Pirate opener time I think "hell, this just may be the year. Maybe these are the guys." Then, before I know it, I'm wishing for L.A. Law's  Arnie Becker, Willie Mayes Hayes, and Carlos Irwin Estevez.

And, every year, the Guy in the Pontiac Vibe bets me $5 that the Buccos will go .500. And, being the contrarian I am, I take the bet. A few more years of the Nutting regime and my 401(k) should be back to pre- dot-com bubble crash numbers.

Something different this season though. Win or lose the kids win. I jumped on Ginny's This is the Year bandwagon over at That's Church. I hear that bandwagon has "margaritas, burritos, hot babes, shirtless football players, playful puppies, a billion dollars in cash on board, and we don’t brake for pigeons."  There's plenty of room on the wagon. Or, for you realists naysayers out there, you can click on the Not an Ice Cream Cone's Chance in Hell No This is Not the Year link. Either way, the money's for the kids.

 So It's Time. We Will. Or Come See Us Play. Let's go Bucs!!

Besides if you Come Hungry there's always the Victory Knot. Only 81 victories costs me $5. Hell, this just may be the year. Maybe these are the guys.

Happy Easter or Spring Celebration*

*Phrasing used in the "We won't be beat on ham prices" ad played at the local Iggle. F'ing multicultural diversity!

Just Sayin'

The Winner is....

April Fool 2010: Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA)

From Boortz.com:

Watch this YouTube video. Watch it and then feel sorry for the citizens of DeKalb County, Georgia. The star of this video is one Hank Johnson. He is questioning Navy Admiral Robert Willard, the commander of the Navy's Pacific Fleet. about some troop movements involving the island of Guam. Now seriously .. I want you to watch this. You'll be rewarded, I promise. About 1:20 into this clip you will hear Congressman Hank Johnson .. a Democrat (naturally) representing Georgia's 4th congressional district ... tell this Navy Admiral that he has some concerns about the addition of 8000 additional Navy personnel and their families to the island. Now ... and trust me, I looked for an April Fools element to this ... you are going to hear Hank Johnson express a concern that with 8000 more people Guam might -----

TIP OVER AND CAPSIZE????

First global warming and now islands capsizing? Boy, this planet is a mess.

Oh, Silly Facebookers...

Stating the facts will not change anything, it will only raise your frustration levels.

Oh, by the way, I did repost.

Just a thought.

Oh Well....

Another year, another bracket shot in the ass. Maybe Saint Mary's vs. Northern Iowa in the final.

For you Kansas fans- that's Mr. Farokhmanesh to you.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Only in Alabama

......M-O-U-S-E!!

Ben-a-palooza????   OMFG!!!!

So, I'm a two-time, two-time, TWO-TIME Super Bowl winning quarterback. While I may not have more money than God, I have more money than I can possibly spend in five lifetimes. While it's commonly held that I'm a total jackass (their word, not mine) in public, as long as I'm the starting QB for da Pixburg Stillers I pretty much can do no wrong.

So, what do I do to celebrate my 28th birthday? I hook-up my whole crew gang 50's tv cast posse with matching t-shirts (dude, we da bomb, yo!), pile 'em all on to the palooza party liner bus, and road-trip it to Hazzard County. Yep- me, Big Cat, Ez, Coop-A-Loop and the rest of the fellas headin' down the road on a booze bus just like adults do and then........

And then, just when you think this whole story can't get any funnier (and by funnier I surely mean more pathetic) we get a look at this....

Ninja Ben Seven-san

Remember, for up to the minute news:   Sid the Kid= Sports Illustrated,   Big Ben= TMZ

                  

                  

Beware the Fifteenth Day of the Third Month

Don't DoThe Crime If You Can't Do The Time

Or in Texas, 30 days same as cash...

Public can comment on proposal to reduce fines

EL PASO -- Low-income drivers caught driving drunk or without a license may get a break in paying their fines.


The Texas Department of Public Safety is now taking public comment on a proposal that would reduce the fines for people living near or below the federal poverty line if they're convicted of a Class C misdemeanor.


That type of offense includes driving without insurance, driving without a valid license and driving while intoxicated.

and...

"We all make mistakes and if you get caught driving without insurance you should pay a fine, but it shouldn't take your life savings," said Lower Valley resident Jesús Alvarez, who said he struggles to make ends meet. "Besides, if you take away our licenses we can't get to work. How are we supposed to make a living?"

(sniffle...sniffle) Boo Effin' Hoo (sniffle...sniffle)

The proposed changes would:

Reduce the fine for driving without insurance from $250 per year for three years to a one-time payment of $250.

Reduce the fine for driving without a valid license from $100 per year for three years to a one-time payment of $150.

Reduce the fine for driving while intoxicated from anywhere between $1,000 to $2,000 per year for three years to a one-time payment of $500.

Hope. Change. Texas-style.

Ben,Ben,Ben

With apologies to CSNY...

• From Macyapper 
• The PDF

Where have I read this before??????

Seriously, not to spend a lot of time on this:

• Guilty or innocent, at what point do you quit putting yourself in these situations? Face it, big guy, your an effing target. Perhaps a little more acting like a grown-up and a little less Girls-Gone-Wild. You're getting a little bit old for this dontcha think?
• Why do I get no comfort from hiring Ed Garland to defend? Apparently, a very good attorney, but with a client list that includes Ray Lewis, Jamal Lewis and PacMan Jones, just doesn't look good, knowwhatImean? Don't get me wrong, if Jim Ecker's not available you might as well go for Andy Griffith.
• At what point did Greensboro, Ga become a summer vacation spot? Mayberry must have been all booked up. 
• With March Madness coming up, it's the time of year when the little schools, that you don't usually hear about, get a shot at the national spotlight. But seriously.....Georgia College & State University?

Not to be critical.

(h/t PSAMP)

I've been wandering around in my mind, for the last week or so, trying to decide whether or not the obsession I'm feeling about Hizzoner Boy Mayor Where's Waldo?'s handling of our recent inclemency is worth all the headaches.

I mean, hell, I don't live or work in the city. I wasn't affected in any way by the antics and missteps of the Birthday Boy and his posse. Before the snow started to fall, I'd never heard of Curtis Mitchell. And, there's a loooong time to forget stuff before the next election. As I've said- as long as Lukey has "D-Norside" after his name, lemmings will be lemmings.

Then, I read this piece at Infinonymous and I think I'm starting to accept.......this city is screwed.

(Sensing a theme)

• Switzerland company offers young boys extra-small condom, the Hotshot
  

  A Switzerland-based company is manufacturing extra-small condoms for the 12- to 14-year-old set.

  WTF?
  
  

  The Hotshot measures 1.7 inches in diameter (as opposed to 2 inches found with regular ones), and 7.4 inches in length.

  Go ahead, get the jokes out of your system. We'll wait.
  
  

• (CA State)Senator Roy Ashburn arrested on DUI charges

 Sources told the CBS affiliate KOVR in Sacramento Ashburn was seen leaving Faces, a gay nightclub in midtown Sacramento.

According to Project Vote Smart, Ashburn's voting record shows he has voted against every gay rights measure in the State Senate since taking office including Recognizing Out-Of-State Same-Sex Marriages, Harvey Milk Day and Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws.

Hypocrite douchebag.

• And from the "Karn Evil 9" file: Roethlisberger accused of sexual assault
 

It might be time for Benny to trade in the "7" for a bullseye. Twice in a year or so? Not a good pattern. "The show that never ends" indeed. 

Maybe it's just me.

RIP

Nude Snow Woman

MYFOXNY.COM - Police told a Rahway, New Jersey family to cover their nude snow woman after an anonymous complaint.

The snow woman melted as the temperatures warmed up this week.

PC snowmen? I'll bet the neighbors would be blast at the Carnegie.

Funny or Die's Presidential Reunion from Will Ferrell

A Snowy Tale of Two Cities, Part One

Latest in a series

 

D.C. hospital fires 11 nurses, 5 staffers for snowstorm absence

The District's largest private hospital has fired 11 nurses and five support staff members who failed to make it to work during the back-to-back snowstorms that paralyzed the region earlier this month.  

"Sadly, we did experience some issue with associates who did not show the same commitment as most of their co-workers to the community, our patients and their fellow associates. They are the few who turned away from their scheduled shifts and who tried -- and are still trying -- to turn the focus on themselves rather than the thousands of Washington Hospital Center workers who fulfilled their commitment to their patients and colleagues, and made it to work," (hospital President Harry J. Rider) wrote.

Pittsburgh EMS workers may be punished

 Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Service workers could face discipline for a series of errors that led to a Hazelwood man's death during the snowstorms, Public Safety Director Michael Huss said Wednesday.

 City officials declined to discuss specifics, except to say they were reviewing possible disciplinary action. The city asked the Allegheny County Health Department to investigate what happened during the Feb. 5-6 snowstorm, and Huss spent yesterday listening to phone calls connected with the death of Curtis Mitchell, 50, of Chaplain Way.

And Rob Kaczorowski as The Beaver

Latest in a series...

Director of Public Works

The Director

Next in a series...

Mayor Ravenstahl Names Fire Chief, Mike Huss, Director of Public Safety

“I have selected a Director of Public Safety who is an accomplished and respected leader in the field of fire safety and emergency management on the city and county level,” said Mayor Ravenstahl. “Chief Huss brings an impeccable record of service, accomplishment, leadership (not counting liquored up firemen stealing vehicles at the casino, or liquored up firemen kicking in citizen's doors, or liquored up firemen playing bumper cars with "white residue" on their CD's) and integrity to the challenges  that face our City. I’m confident he will serve the residents of the City of Pittsburgh well. Chief Huss has been and will continue to be instrumental in achieving my goal to make Pittsburgh one of America’s safest cities.”

As Johnstown's Emergency Management Coordinator, he was responsible for all activities of the agency, including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery and served as the City Managers Chief of Staff during emergencies (and by emergencies we mean floods, obviously.).

He is experienced in collective bargaining negotiating, preparation and administration of operating and capital budgets, strategic planning, testing, training and disciplining of department personnel. (And, for your information, meter maids Parking Enforcement Officers aren't trained to use a snow shovel in Johnstahn either.)

Hizzoner

Second in a series...

About Mayor Luke Ravenstahl   

Luke Ravenstahl became the 59th Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh on September 1, 2006, upon the untimely death of Mayor Bob O'Connor. At the time he was just 26 years old. Ravenstahl's ascent to the top of Pittsburgh government began in 2003 when he became the youngest member ever elected to Pittsburgh City Council. After serving only two years on council Ravenstahl was unanimously voted in as City Council President, a post he held for only 8 months before being sworn in as Mayor O'Connor's successor. Ravenstahl was officially elected Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, "America's Most Livable City," in a special election in November of 2007. The 29-year-old Pittsburgh native still holds the distinction of being the youngest mayor of any major U.S. city.

Snowmageddon '10

First in a series...

Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Services

Pittsburgh EMS is dedicated to bringing compassionate, life-saving emergency medical care to our streets, our homes and our workplaces -- to the very hearts of our residents and visitors -- thus making Pittsburgh a safer and healthier place to live. (Weather permitting).

However, no honor is more significant than the sincere words of thanks and praise we receive from our patients for helping them in their time of need.(As long as they can walk to us).

With over 175 Paramedics, responding nearly 55,000 times each year, Pittsburgh EMS provides a wide range of services including Advanced Life Support prehospital care, medically directed Technical Rescue from a wide variety of accidents and entrapments (as long as the snow's not too deep), River Rescue, ALS coverage at special community events, community education in CPR/AED, and much more (including giving rides to the hospital, if it's not difficult).

Mysteries. Solved

2 Down, 2 To Go

• Just for giggles, substitute "Pittsburgh" every time you hear "Washington".
• Fun, huh?
• Well, if crime's gonna drop, maybe the snow's O.K.
• Have no fear- as long as Hizzoner Boy Mayor Lukey Steelerstahl has "D-North Side" after his name, it'll take alot more than a little Snowmaggedon to get rid of him. Remember, come election time, lemmings will be lemmings.
• Thank (insert deity of choice here) for the suburbs.

Let Me Say This About That

Phil Perri, who has a construction business, uses his mini front loader to dig out his neighbors in Lawrenceville. "Thank God for Phil. He's the greatest," says Mary Ann Paddle, shoveling at right.

• So, again I ask... Is there any service that the government can provide better and more efficiently than the private sector? Answers anyone? Anyone?
• The whole Northeast under snow. Hundreds of thousands without power. Wonder what Pat Robertson has to say about this.
• Overheard at the local Iggle (which was running on generator power)- "... we had everything to make chili, but we had to come out for sour cream."
• Is it just me, or do mall parking lots never get snowed upon? Or is it that, since they know that they are open to lawsuits, they don't have the luxury of the don't-care-itude the municipalities exhibit. Seems like no matter what mall, the roads to the lots are treacherous but the parking lots are bone dry.
• A Canadian company has begun selling a novelty golf ball set that features cartoon likenesses of Tiger Woods' alleged mistresses. Naturally, feminist busybody attorney Gloria Allred is peeved and wants production of the golf balls to end
  
  
  Attorney Gloria Allred is representing one of those women -- former adult film actress Veronica Siwik-Daniels (aka Joslyn James) -- who claims to have had a long-term intimate relationship with golf icon Tiger Woods. Allred and Siwik-Daniels are calling for the end of the production of golf balls bearing an image of Siwik. Allred argues that putting the face of a woman on a ball which golfers hit with full force could result in marks on the image that might resemble bruises and may lead to inappropriate jokes about hitting women.
   
    Two things occur to me. First, I'm sure that there is indeed an inappropriate joke involving the faces of the alleged mistresses and Tiger's balls in there somewhere and I'm sure it doesn't involve hitting women. Second, for some good inappropriate fun Gloria should check this out.
• A 13 year old from Delaware has given a verbal commitment to play quarterback at USC in 2015. That's it, College Football has officially lost it's mind.
  

"He's already six feet as a 13-year old," (personal quarterback coach) Clarkson said. "And he's breaking down NFL footage"

The younger Sills, who is an seventh-grader at Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear, Del., has been training with Clarkson for three years. They meet about once every six weeks at various locations around the country. Sometimes in California, where Clarkson is based. Sometimes in Delaware. And sometimes somewhere in the middle, if Clarkson is conducting a clinic.

               I hope I'm wrong, but, I can't help but think of Todd Marinovich.
         
*****************************
Again, I hope I'm wrong..... Indy minus the points.

Only The Good Die Young

Read the whole sad story here.

RIP

Warren King

If PETA Sees Its Shadow...

In the immortal words of Jean Paul Sartre PETA, 'Au revoir, gopher groundhog'.  

(Andy Dick and PETA in the same week, again? I sense a pattern.)

Animal rights group: Replace Punxsutawney Phil with robot

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says it's unfair to keep the animal in captivity and subject him to the huge crowds and bright lights that accompany tens of thousands of revelers each Feb. 2 in Punxsutawney, a tiny borough about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. PETA is suggesting the use of an animatronic model

But William Deeley, president of the Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, says the animal is "being treated better than the average child in Pennsylvania." The groundhog is kept in a climate-controlled environment and is inspected annually by the state Department of Agriculture.

Obviously, Deeley could have chosen his words a little better but hey PETA, I think Phil will be just fine. I mean it's not like he's treated like a school free-luncher after all.

$12,245,872,000,000

From Yahoo Finance via Drudge:

Just a few scattered thoughts on a shitty Sunday.......

• From the "Just (insert deity of choice here) Thinnin' the Herd" file: France alarmed over anthrax-tainted heroin in Europe 

The French health ministry issued a warning on Tuesday after eight people died and seven fell sick in two European countries from using heroin contaminated by anthrax. "Since December 6, there have been 15 confirmed cases of anthrax among heroin users, 14 in Scotland and one in Germany," the ministry's General Directorate for Health (DGS) said in a statement.
"Eight people died," it said. "The likeliest source is heroin contaminated by anthrax spores." 

First hepatitis, then AIDS, now anthrax and they still wanna ride the white horse? Just
thinnin' the herd.

• From the "Nobody Was Ever More Aptly Named" file: Andy Dick charged with felony, shows still on 
  
  

Dick was taken into custody around 4 a.m. after two men accused Dick of groping them at Rum Runners, at 819 3rd Ave. According to a press release issued at 12:26 p.m. Saturday from the Huntington Police Department, officers responded to a call to investigate “two alleged incidents of a patron engaging in non-consensual sexual contact with a bar employee and another patron.”

and

Actor & Entertainer Andy Dick Arrested in Huntington

The incident happened at Rum Runners on 3rd Avenue in Huntington.
According to the criminal complaint, a security guard at the club claims he was trying to put an armband on Dick when he became the victim of sexual abuse. The guard says Dick grabbed his crotch and began laughing.

Another man says that Dick sexually abused him. The man says he was talking to Dick when, "unexpectedly and without invitation," Dick "grabbed his crotch and began kissing him." This was witnessed by the victim’s girlfriend.

Now, I have opined in the past about Mr. Dick. I really believe he's a certifiable whackjob who should probably be locked away in a rehab somewhere. But, with that said, a couple of things strike me as particularly troubling. First- I've never been Huntington WV. and I know nothing about Rum Runners, but, unless there's Broadway showtunes on the jukebox and they have drink specials on "Sword Fight Nights" (and there is nothing wrong with that), this is a sad commentary on the state of bar bouncers in the Wild and Wonderful State. I mean, this little douchebag grabs the bouncer's package and LAUGHS and they call the cops!!?? Where's the redneck beatdown for chrissakes? And then, he grabs another dude's junk and KISSES him in front of dude's girlfriend?? And dude says he was sexually abused? WTF?? Unfortunately, I think the more likely scenario involves Bo and Luke Duke here picturing some kind of payday(because Andy is such a big star). And, I can only guess that the only reason everybody gets paid is because they're all in on the gag. And why? Like I've said - reality tv will be the death of Western Civilization. Just sayin'.

---------------------------------------------------

To touch on the football games: yay New Orleans, yay Indianapolis. Yay the end of the Mark Sanchez/Joe Namath references, yay maybe Brett finally goes and lays down. The Mirage has Indy at -3 1/2. Bring on the prop bets.

Brought To You Today By The Letter D

                                                                                            Haiti

Death. Destruction

Holy Shit!!!

No room for snarky smartass-edness here. This is serious stuff. Just some info to pass:

• From Neal Boortz:

American Red Cross
I put this organization at the top of the list. My wife, Donna, is a life member of the Red Cross Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders. The American Red Cross' primary focus during the initial response of an emergency is feeding, sheltering and supplying any other basic needs. To donate: Go to RedCross.org, hit donate now button at top and then International Response Fund. You also can text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the International Response Fund. The money will go directly to relief efforts in Haiti. Or call 1-800-Red-Cross.

AmeriCares
This nonprofit disaster relief organization delivers medicine, medical supplies and aid to people in crisis around the world. To donate, call 1-800-486-HELP or go to AmeriCares.org. Donations will go toward medicine and medical supplies and for expenses for providing that medical aid.

Care
This humanitarian organization's main focus is to fight global poverty, specifically by empowering marginalized women and girls. To donate to the Haiti relief fund effort, go to Care.org or call 1-800-521-CARE. Money will go toward food, water and sanitation, shelter and emergency health response.

Operation USA
The international relief agency provides funding for reconstruction and development aid to communities that have experienced disasters, disease and poverty. For its Haiti relief efforts, the agency plans to use donations for health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements. To donate, go to opusa.org or call 1-800-678-7255, or mail a check to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave., Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.

• There is a Pittsburgh connection that I hope, by now, you are aware. Jamie and Ali McMutrie are a couple of special young ladies from Ben Avon who are running an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. Because I cannot possibly do the situation adequate justice, please let Ginny fill you in at thatschurch. WARNING: prepare to be affected.

Deal. Devil. Demented. Douchebag

Frankly, I don't even know what to say about this. It's that far out there.

A deal with the Devil? Really? The country's cursed? What?

And, just what's going through Christie's head while this whackjob is rambling?

Mind boggling.