Last day in April 2011, if the Cincinnati Reds win they will have a winning April. If they lose they will have a losing April. So far the team hasn't played as well as they should. Last year, the Reds had only one losing month and that was September.
Today, the Reds won a big game. Yes, it's early. But today the Reds outlasted the Florida Marlins. The Reds faced Marlins ace Josh Johnson who held the Reds scoreless for seven innings. It looked bleak in the eighth when the Marlins were up by 3-0. Then with two outs, the Reds struck for five straight hits. They tied the score. In the tenth, the Reds loaded the bases but got two outs without scoring a run. Then up came Edgar Renteria, former Marlin. He won a World Series for the Marilins with a walk-off single. Last year he was World Series MVP for the San Francisco Giants. Renteria grounded a single to drive in the winning run, 4-3. And this one belongs to the Reds. With the victory, the Reds have a winning April.
The Reds end April the way they started the season. They end it with a thrilling come from behind victory. This Reds team won't quit. Here's the story with video.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Cincinnati Bengals Draft, Rounds Two and Three
The Cincinnati Bengals picked TCU quarterback Andy Dalton in round Two. In round three, the Bengals picked Dontay Moch, a linebacker from Nevada. For a linebacker, Moch is very fast. (Video below.) According to Pro Football Weekly he runs a 4.39 forty yard dash. (PFW Draft Guide, pg. 96)
Andy Dalton is maybe the replacement for Carson Palmer. The Bengals did not overreach here. As reported, he was one of the best players available when the draft started again. Still, the Bengals should sign a caretaker quarterback. Dalton played in a spread offense at TCU and will need to learn what one has to do to play in the NFL. Alex Smith anyone?
Dontay Moch LB.
Andy Dalton QB.
Good analysis.
Andy Dalton is maybe the replacement for Carson Palmer. The Bengals did not overreach here. As reported, he was one of the best players available when the draft started again. Still, the Bengals should sign a caretaker quarterback. Dalton played in a spread offense at TCU and will need to learn what one has to do to play in the NFL. Alex Smith anyone?
Dontay Moch LB.
Andy Dalton QB.
Good analysis.
Friday, April 29, 2011
I Don't Give a Bleep About the Royal Wedding
Yesterday, The Daily Show's Jon Oliver found some English who don't give a damn about the Royal Wedding and some that actually hate it. As an American, I agree with the those that don't give a damn about the wedding. So why would I watch a bunch of super rich people celebrating the wedding of a royalty who don't have any power. Oh, by the way I'm glad they don't have any power. But why is there a need for the monarchy? Here's Jon's video.
Who should the Cincinnati Bengals pick in the second round?
The second round will be tonight. And the Cincinnati Bengals will pick third behind the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills. I've previously identified five areas of need in order of importance. They are quarterback, offensive tackle, defensive line, wide receiver and cornerback.
ESPN's Mel Kiper has identified Da'Quan Bowers (DE-Clemson), Stepheen Paea (DT-Oregaon State) and QB Andy Dalton (TCU) as three of the best five players available. Bowers has slipped from sure first round pick due to concerns about an operation he had on his knee. The Patriots could use a defensive end and with the large amount of pickes they have, picking Bowers is a no brainer. The Bills could use a quarterback. But if they're smart, they won't overreach since their quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is serviceable. He was also a former Bengal. I can't see Paea being better than current DT Geno Atkins. With luck, Andy Dalton could slip to the Bengals. This is a guy that the Bengals had been focusing on. With Carson Palmer likely retiring, the Bengals should pick Andy Dalton.
The key thing is for the Bengals not to panic. This quarterback class is nothing to get excited about. They all have strengths and weaknesses. The Bengals should draft best available player in areas of need. If Dalton is gone, Ryan Mallet (Arkansas) or Ricky Stanzi (Iowa) maybe available. Just remember, you're going to have to sign a caretaker quarterback anyway if you intend to compete this year. That's because I don't believe a rookie quarterback can lead the team to victories with the Bengals offensive line.
ESPN's Mel Kiper has identified Da'Quan Bowers (DE-Clemson), Stepheen Paea (DT-Oregaon State) and QB Andy Dalton (TCU) as three of the best five players available. Bowers has slipped from sure first round pick due to concerns about an operation he had on his knee. The Patriots could use a defensive end and with the large amount of pickes they have, picking Bowers is a no brainer. The Bills could use a quarterback. But if they're smart, they won't overreach since their quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is serviceable. He was also a former Bengal. I can't see Paea being better than current DT Geno Atkins. With luck, Andy Dalton could slip to the Bengals. This is a guy that the Bengals had been focusing on. With Carson Palmer likely retiring, the Bengals should pick Andy Dalton.
The key thing is for the Bengals not to panic. This quarterback class is nothing to get excited about. They all have strengths and weaknesses. The Bengals should draft best available player in areas of need. If Dalton is gone, Ryan Mallet (Arkansas) or Ricky Stanzi (Iowa) maybe available. Just remember, you're going to have to sign a caretaker quarterback anyway if you intend to compete this year. That's because I don't believe a rookie quarterback can lead the team to victories with the Bengals offensive line.
Cincinnati Bengals Pick A.J. Green
I wanted the Cincinnati Bengals to pick defensive tackle Nick Fairley. (Auburn) Instead the Bengals picked Georgia Wide Receiver A.J. Green. With a high pick, the Bengals could have drafted the stud defensive tackle that could make the defensive line formidable. Defense wins championships.
But did the Bengals make another NFL draft day blunder? Well, to answer that question, remember the basic rule in NFL drafting. Pick the best player available in an area of need. Sure, the Bengals could use help on the defensive line. But there's also need at wide receiver. And from what I've read, A.J. Green was the best player available in an area of need. For example see NFL.com's rankings. So the Bengals made the right choice by picking the best player available.
What about A.J. Green? Pro Football Weekly's Draft Guide says A.J. Green has "play making ability to step in as a No. 1 receiver the day he enters an NFL training camp." Pg. 36 He can make acrobatic catches. Runs good routes. And he will block for running backs. Check out what Fox Sports' Brian Billick has to say about him.
But did the Bengals make another NFL draft day blunder? Well, to answer that question, remember the basic rule in NFL drafting. Pick the best player available in an area of need. Sure, the Bengals could use help on the defensive line. But there's also need at wide receiver. And from what I've read, A.J. Green was the best player available in an area of need. For example see NFL.com's rankings. So the Bengals made the right choice by picking the best player available.
What about A.J. Green? Pro Football Weekly's Draft Guide says A.J. Green has "play making ability to step in as a No. 1 receiver the day he enters an NFL training camp." Pg. 36 He can make acrobatic catches. Runs good routes. And he will block for running backs. Check out what Fox Sports' Brian Billick has to say about him.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Those Crazy Birthers, Part Thirteen
Now that President Barack Obama has released the long form of his birth certificate and Donald Trump has responded, it's time for some comic relief. Jon Stewart of the Daily Show and Stephen Colbert both had takes from last night. Hilarious. Check it out below.
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| America Needs to See Obama's Report Cards | ||||
| ||||
Conservative Republicans Have Become Racist
It's become clear that the modern Republican Party has become racist. The whole birther controversy demonstrates it. There's a reason why Donald Trump is leading the Republican pack for the party's presidential nomination. That's because the overwhelming majority of Republicans agree with Trump's doubts on whether President Barack Obama was born in the United States. And Trump's other complaints about Obama's college career are full of racist overtones.
But how is the birther nonsense racist? Well, let's look at the facts when this silly issue came about. When the question was raised around 2008, President Barack Obama released his "short form" birth certificate. This is a official Hawaii government document which is a birth certificate. It indicated that Obama was born in Hawaii. Not only was there that proof but the director of the Department of Health, Chiyome Fukino, has said she's seen the original birth certificate or the so called long form. To further prove that Obama was born in Hawaii, two Honolulu newspapers announced his birth. Here's the story from FactCheck.org.
You may be wondering if I've shown any racism yet. Okay, here it is. It should be clear that there was sufficient proof that Obama was born in the United States. Official birth certificate. Director of Department of Health vouching for his birth certificate. And newspaper reports announcing his birth. If we were talking about a white guy named John Smith, there would be no question from conservative Republicans. But we're talking about an African American who's father is Kenyan not a white Anglo Saxon protestant. So Trump demands the long form even though enough proof has been disclosed. Of course, it's partly done to please the conservative Republicans. But why? It's the Kenyan name. It's the dark skin. Again, do you really think conservative Republicans would be making this issue if Obama was named John Smith and white?
And the Republican leadership refuses to admonish those in their party who adhere to this insanity. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Meet the Press (2-12-11)said it wasn't his job to tell the American people what to think. (Video below.) Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) refuses to put a stop to this nonsense. There is currently in the House a so called birther bill which demand proof of American birth for future presidential candidates. Guess who are the major sponsors. The reason why Republican leadership doesn't want to stop this craziness is because the majority of the party believes in it. That's why Boehner refuses to tell people in his party that Obama's birth is a non-issue. The Republican Party has become the party of the birthers. By the way, would Boehner tell party members it's wrong to pass laws that say mandate Jews wear the star of David? But I digress.
Now Donald Trump is questioning Obama's college credentials. Saying he's heard that Obama was a poor student at Occidental College, Trump questions how did he get into Columbia and Harvard. Okay, at this stage, one wonders what does this have to do with the problems of the country? That's because it has nothing to do with the problems of this country.
But is this proof of racism in the Republican Party? Remember Trump has risen in the polls because Republicans agree with his principles. He didn't get there by being a liberal. By challenging how Obama got into Harvard is raising the affirmative action card. To an angry white male who believes he lost a job to a minority, this is red meat. Because often, that angry white male will argue that the minority was not qualified. Trump is making an allegation that Obama wasn't smart enough to get into Columbia or Harvard. The alleged intellectual inferiority of African Americans is an old theme for racists.
What destroys Trump's attack is that Barack Obama was great at Harvard law school. Even assuming he received preferential treatment, he was the President of the Law Review. He graduated Magna Cum Laude. You don't get those prestigious honors without earning them. And by the way, did the Republicans question President William Clinton's academic credentials? Gee, what race is Clinton and what race is Obama? Below is Obama biographer David Remnick who debunks Trump's attack on Obama's academic accomplishments.
While Trump is one prominent Republican who espouses racist ideas, are there other Republicans that do so? Yes, not only does the overwhelming majority of Republicans question Obama's citizenship but there are other who have racial views of Obama. Former House Leader Newt Gingrich says Obama may follow a "Kenyan, anti-colonial" worldview. And where does he get this idea? I don't know, that's because Obama spent very little time in Kenya other than to visit. In Cincinnati, WLW radio talk show host, Bill Cunningham, continually emphasizes Obama's middle name of Hussein. Yeah, it's his real name. But did Bill ever emphasize Clinton's middle name or President George W. Bush's middle name? Again, this is more of the "he's not white European like us" garbage.
How about some racist Republican actions from coast to coast. Recently, Orange County Republican Central Committee member, Marilyn Davenport sent an email with a picture of Obama's head on a chimp. South Carolina GOP activist Rusty DePass said First Lady Michelle Obama to an ancestor of an escaped gorilla. Comparing African Americans to apes is another old racist theme.
When I was a teenager, I considered myself as a Republican. At the time, there were moderates in the party. Nelson Rockefeller. President Gerald Ford. Heck, even Barry Goldwater would be considered a moderate compared to the modern Republican Party. But this new Republican Party has left me. It's become hateful and racist.
On Obama's academic accomplishments-
But how is the birther nonsense racist? Well, let's look at the facts when this silly issue came about. When the question was raised around 2008, President Barack Obama released his "short form" birth certificate. This is a official Hawaii government document which is a birth certificate. It indicated that Obama was born in Hawaii. Not only was there that proof but the director of the Department of Health, Chiyome Fukino, has said she's seen the original birth certificate or the so called long form. To further prove that Obama was born in Hawaii, two Honolulu newspapers announced his birth. Here's the story from FactCheck.org.
You may be wondering if I've shown any racism yet. Okay, here it is. It should be clear that there was sufficient proof that Obama was born in the United States. Official birth certificate. Director of Department of Health vouching for his birth certificate. And newspaper reports announcing his birth. If we were talking about a white guy named John Smith, there would be no question from conservative Republicans. But we're talking about an African American who's father is Kenyan not a white Anglo Saxon protestant. So Trump demands the long form even though enough proof has been disclosed. Of course, it's partly done to please the conservative Republicans. But why? It's the Kenyan name. It's the dark skin. Again, do you really think conservative Republicans would be making this issue if Obama was named John Smith and white?
And the Republican leadership refuses to admonish those in their party who adhere to this insanity. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Meet the Press (2-12-11)said it wasn't his job to tell the American people what to think. (Video below.) Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) refuses to put a stop to this nonsense. There is currently in the House a so called birther bill which demand proof of American birth for future presidential candidates. Guess who are the major sponsors. The reason why Republican leadership doesn't want to stop this craziness is because the majority of the party believes in it. That's why Boehner refuses to tell people in his party that Obama's birth is a non-issue. The Republican Party has become the party of the birthers. By the way, would Boehner tell party members it's wrong to pass laws that say mandate Jews wear the star of David? But I digress.
Now Donald Trump is questioning Obama's college credentials. Saying he's heard that Obama was a poor student at Occidental College, Trump questions how did he get into Columbia and Harvard. Okay, at this stage, one wonders what does this have to do with the problems of the country? That's because it has nothing to do with the problems of this country.
But is this proof of racism in the Republican Party? Remember Trump has risen in the polls because Republicans agree with his principles. He didn't get there by being a liberal. By challenging how Obama got into Harvard is raising the affirmative action card. To an angry white male who believes he lost a job to a minority, this is red meat. Because often, that angry white male will argue that the minority was not qualified. Trump is making an allegation that Obama wasn't smart enough to get into Columbia or Harvard. The alleged intellectual inferiority of African Americans is an old theme for racists.
What destroys Trump's attack is that Barack Obama was great at Harvard law school. Even assuming he received preferential treatment, he was the President of the Law Review. He graduated Magna Cum Laude. You don't get those prestigious honors without earning them. And by the way, did the Republicans question President William Clinton's academic credentials? Gee, what race is Clinton and what race is Obama? Below is Obama biographer David Remnick who debunks Trump's attack on Obama's academic accomplishments.
While Trump is one prominent Republican who espouses racist ideas, are there other Republicans that do so? Yes, not only does the overwhelming majority of Republicans question Obama's citizenship but there are other who have racial views of Obama. Former House Leader Newt Gingrich says Obama may follow a "Kenyan, anti-colonial" worldview. And where does he get this idea? I don't know, that's because Obama spent very little time in Kenya other than to visit. In Cincinnati, WLW radio talk show host, Bill Cunningham, continually emphasizes Obama's middle name of Hussein. Yeah, it's his real name. But did Bill ever emphasize Clinton's middle name or President George W. Bush's middle name? Again, this is more of the "he's not white European like us" garbage.
How about some racist Republican actions from coast to coast. Recently, Orange County Republican Central Committee member, Marilyn Davenport sent an email with a picture of Obama's head on a chimp. South Carolina GOP activist Rusty DePass said First Lady Michelle Obama to an ancestor of an escaped gorilla. Comparing African Americans to apes is another old racist theme.
When I was a teenager, I considered myself as a Republican. At the time, there were moderates in the party. Nelson Rockefeller. President Gerald Ford. Heck, even Barry Goldwater would be considered a moderate compared to the modern Republican Party. But this new Republican Party has left me. It's become hateful and racist.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
On Obama's academic accomplishments-
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
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