Yes, I've been away, been busy with stuff galore. And a lot has happened. From my last posting I had the well wishes for the Red Sox to win against the Yankees, and sure enough they pulled it off, and of course yesterday, they won their first World Series in 86 years, beating those hapless St. Louis Cardinals.
Then in the India-Australia Test Series, match 3, it's become more of a one team showing event. No one but Australia is having fun in this match, and barring a reversal of fortunes for them, they will get the Gavaskar-Border Trophy. The last match in Mumbai could be just to salvage face for India, or could be more of the same....
My hometown NFL team, the Cincinnati Bengals won on the national stage, on Monday Night Football, making the best defensive team, the Denver Broncos, look like anything but that. Wish they could win like that throughout the season.....guess I'm asking for too much.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
ALCS: Boston v New York
It's quite amazing that the BoSox have had enough grit to level the series and 3 games-a-piece with the Yanks, and seem to be on a mental high going into tonight's game at Yankee Stadium. For the first time ever did a team in an LCS, come back being down 0-3 in the series.
I know Beantown is very eager to see their 'ghosts' to reverse the outcome from last year, and give them the final edge tonight. Yet, we ought to wonder......with a team like the Yankees, which seemingly doesn't have a weakness in their lineup, bench, or pitching staff, how can they lose?
Well my well wishes are with the BoSox, but it is going to be tough to win 4 in a row.
I know Beantown is very eager to see their 'ghosts' to reverse the outcome from last year, and give them the final edge tonight. Yet, we ought to wonder......with a team like the Yankees, which seemingly doesn't have a weakness in their lineup, bench, or pitching staff, how can they lose?
Well my well wishes are with the BoSox, but it is going to be tough to win 4 in a row.
India-Australia 2nd Test, conclusion
Well this match certainly was coming down to either heroics or blunders on either side. With the Aussies up by 200 odd runs on the final day, it was setting up to be a climatic classic showdown.
Alas! The Gods seemed to have pitied somebody so they wouldn't have to look down on themselves after this match, cause it rained, and rained, and rained, until the match was called off, and given the status of a 'draw'.
It makes me wonder why Test Cricket doesn't keep at least 1 reserve day to play out for a result. I think, also, it's rather silly that Test Cricket can have one team dominate, yet still end up with a drawn result. So you play for 5 days, and there is no result? Maybe my American mentality is clouding my thoughts here, but it makes no sense. To me a draw at times seems to be an easy way out for some teams who know they might lose, so they will play with hardly any heart, and just 'play' to keep the ball away from the wicket, rather than aim for runs. But in the case of this match, it was mother nature, who had rather seen the draw, than the players.
Third test....October 26 at Nagpur.
Alas! The Gods seemed to have pitied somebody so they wouldn't have to look down on themselves after this match, cause it rained, and rained, and rained, until the match was called off, and given the status of a 'draw'.
It makes me wonder why Test Cricket doesn't keep at least 1 reserve day to play out for a result. I think, also, it's rather silly that Test Cricket can have one team dominate, yet still end up with a drawn result. So you play for 5 days, and there is no result? Maybe my American mentality is clouding my thoughts here, but it makes no sense. To me a draw at times seems to be an easy way out for some teams who know they might lose, so they will play with hardly any heart, and just 'play' to keep the ball away from the wicket, rather than aim for runs. But in the case of this match, it was mother nature, who had rather seen the draw, than the players.
Third test....October 26 at Nagpur.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Analysis of "the Debate, Part III"
The third and final debate between Senator Kerry and so-called President Bush was very telling to say the least. It seemed that Kerry had a strong showing again, acting as if he knew what he was talking about (notice that I have said 'acting'). Far worse was the acting or more like play-acting by Bush. Kerry sounded more convincing than Bush, and far more smarter. Then again, Bush has never sounded smart to begin with. Bush's fake laughs were even more annoying. Those chuckles were akin to an evil man in a horror movie. I don't think Bush is evil, but he did a disservice to himself for sounding like a goof.
I was quite amazed for Bush to answer the way he did when Kerry pointed out: "When the president had an opportunity to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, he took his focus off of them, outsourced the job to Afghan warlords, and Osama bin Laden escaped.
Six months after he said Osama bin Laden must be caught dead or alive, this president was asked, "Where is Osama bin Laden?"
He said, "I don't know. I don't really think about him very much. I'm not that concerned."
We need a president who stays deadly focused on the real war on terror.
Bush's response:
Gosh, I just don't think I ever said I'm not worried about Osama bin Laden. It's kind of one of those exaggerations.
Of course we're worried about Osama bin Laden. We're on the hunt after Osama bin Laden. We're using every asset at our disposal to get Osama bin Laden.
My opponent said this war is a matter of intelligence and law enforcement. No, this war is a matter of using every asset at our disposal to keep the American people protected.
I don't think using Afghan Warlords is a good asset to have, especially when some of them were in cahoots with the Taliban itself.
I was totally floored by Bush's answer to minimum wage being increased:
Actually, Mitch McConnell had a minimum-wage plan that I supported that would have increased the minimum wage.
But let me talk about what's really important for the worker you're referring to. And that's to make sure the education system works. It's to make sure we raise standards.
Listen, the No Child Left Behind Act is really a jobs act when you think about it.
The No Child Left Behind Act says, "We'll raise standards. We'll increase federal spending."
So I guess I will have to have a kid to be benefited at all. So I guess I will have to wait for about 20 or so odd years (if I have a kid next year) to understand how the No Child Left Behind Act got him or her a job. So what am I suppossed to do???? I really don't understand how people like this guy, in that they vote for him.....I am really confused......maybe this really is the "New Sucker Generation"! What fundamentals or ideals does this guy have??? He doesn't even know what he is talking about!!!!
Bush:
Bob, we relied upon a company out of England to provide about half of the flu vaccines for the United States citizen, and it turned out that the vaccine they were producing was contaminated. And so we took the right action and didn't allow contaminated medicine into our country.
We're working with Canada to hopefully -- that they'll produce a -- help us realize the vaccine necessary to make sure our citizens have got flu vaccinations during this upcoming season.
From what I know, the company (Chiron) is American, but has offices and manufacturing sites all around the world. The way he says it, he makes it sound as if P&G is a Canadian company since Tide and Bounce are manufactured there. So again it's "American" drugs failing us, not International ones. The second part of his answer makes no sense, considering the issues with the drugs from Canada being imported here (which are infact American drugs being re-imported into the country for a cheaper price). I guess it's all right to trust the Canadians now, since the drug import topic is hot now!!!!!!!
I also loved the Bush blunder in calling the tax payments system "PAY GO" versus "Pay As You Go". I could see Kerry smirk in the split screen view and trying his best not to crack up. Seriously, do people like him cause Bush sounds dumb or they just don't understand, or is it some insane sadistic feeling that people have in wanting to have a leadership like this??? I am really amazed with this kind of candidate, and how he won the election in 2000 (or more like stole).
It also begs me to ask........HOW CAN THIS COUNTRY'S POPULOUS STILL BE UNDECIDED????
I was quite amazed for Bush to answer the way he did when Kerry pointed out: "When the president had an opportunity to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, he took his focus off of them, outsourced the job to Afghan warlords, and Osama bin Laden escaped.
Six months after he said Osama bin Laden must be caught dead or alive, this president was asked, "Where is Osama bin Laden?"
He said, "I don't know. I don't really think about him very much. I'm not that concerned."
We need a president who stays deadly focused on the real war on terror.
Bush's response:
Gosh, I just don't think I ever said I'm not worried about Osama bin Laden. It's kind of one of those exaggerations.
Of course we're worried about Osama bin Laden. We're on the hunt after Osama bin Laden. We're using every asset at our disposal to get Osama bin Laden.
My opponent said this war is a matter of intelligence and law enforcement. No, this war is a matter of using every asset at our disposal to keep the American people protected.
I don't think using Afghan Warlords is a good asset to have, especially when some of them were in cahoots with the Taliban itself.
I was totally floored by Bush's answer to minimum wage being increased:
Actually, Mitch McConnell had a minimum-wage plan that I supported that would have increased the minimum wage.
But let me talk about what's really important for the worker you're referring to. And that's to make sure the education system works. It's to make sure we raise standards.
Listen, the No Child Left Behind Act is really a jobs act when you think about it.
The No Child Left Behind Act says, "We'll raise standards. We'll increase federal spending."
So I guess I will have to have a kid to be benefited at all. So I guess I will have to wait for about 20 or so odd years (if I have a kid next year) to understand how the No Child Left Behind Act got him or her a job. So what am I suppossed to do???? I really don't understand how people like this guy, in that they vote for him.....I am really confused......maybe this really is the "New Sucker Generation"! What fundamentals or ideals does this guy have??? He doesn't even know what he is talking about!!!!
Bush:
Bob, we relied upon a company out of England to provide about half of the flu vaccines for the United States citizen, and it turned out that the vaccine they were producing was contaminated. And so we took the right action and didn't allow contaminated medicine into our country.
We're working with Canada to hopefully -- that they'll produce a -- help us realize the vaccine necessary to make sure our citizens have got flu vaccinations during this upcoming season.
From what I know, the company (Chiron) is American, but has offices and manufacturing sites all around the world. The way he says it, he makes it sound as if P&G is a Canadian company since Tide and Bounce are manufactured there. So again it's "American" drugs failing us, not International ones. The second part of his answer makes no sense, considering the issues with the drugs from Canada being imported here (which are infact American drugs being re-imported into the country for a cheaper price). I guess it's all right to trust the Canadians now, since the drug import topic is hot now!!!!!!!
I also loved the Bush blunder in calling the tax payments system "PAY GO" versus "Pay As You Go". I could see Kerry smirk in the split screen view and trying his best not to crack up. Seriously, do people like him cause Bush sounds dumb or they just don't understand, or is it some insane sadistic feeling that people have in wanting to have a leadership like this??? I am really amazed with this kind of candidate, and how he won the election in 2000 (or more like stole).
It also begs me to ask........HOW CAN THIS COUNTRY'S POPULOUS STILL BE UNDECIDED????
India-Australia Test Series 2004: 2nd Test, Day 1
I listened to some of the beginning of the 2nd test match late last night, hearing that Hayden and Langer were on their way to a good start. My thoughts......here we go again. The commentators on Cricinfo sounded confident though, that Bhaji (Harbhajan or 'Herb-a-john' as the Aussies call him) was going to pull some magic. I rather decided to go to sleep than hear another Aussie spanking. But when I woke up in the morning, it was the Indians who administered the spanking on the Aussies, and it wasn't Bhaji, but the so-called spinner, Kumble, who provided the magic taking 7 wickets. His bowling spell left the Aussie total at 235 all out. Quite a turnaround for the Indians.
But soon as we can say that, Shane Warne scalped the wicket of Yuvraj just before the end of the last over of the day, and now we have India at 28/1. And it seems that my new found fave Indian player, Irfan Pathan, has joined Sehwag at the crease. Maybe in the infamous 'nightwatchman' role since he has emerged as a careful batsman from the first test match. Let's see if India can take advantage of the Australian collapse. Day two ahead......
But soon as we can say that, Shane Warne scalped the wicket of Yuvraj just before the end of the last over of the day, and now we have India at 28/1. And it seems that my new found fave Indian player, Irfan Pathan, has joined Sehwag at the crease. Maybe in the infamous 'nightwatchman' role since he has emerged as a careful batsman from the first test match. Let's see if India can take advantage of the Australian collapse. Day two ahead......
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
USA: Purging of Voters
A former Nevada GOP operative wanted to remove about 17,000 Democrats from the voting rolls. Quite absurd if you ask me, and somewhat seems like the ideology of this country is being insulted (democracy and freedom), when in fact we preach it to the rest of the world. Last time I checked this was the USA, not the USSR (or the former Soviet Union). Check out this site for more about it.
USA: Night of the Great Debate, Part III
To get things straight, I am not a Republican nor a Democrat. I actually vote for the best candidate available on the voting card, and do vote for both. I can't really see myself aligned to any party as of right now, and have more of a moderate view on things, but kind of lean towards the left. So you could call me your leftist-leaning independent voter. I really think people should be independents, not aligned to any party, unless they are vying for political office. I really hate it when people vote only on party lines.
Well, tonight is the final debate between the 2 weakest Presidential candidates we have seen since the last election in 2000. I can tell you right off the bat, that I am no Bush fan nor for his administration. And whatever respect I had for Colin Powell has been waning ever since his infamous speech at the UN, vouching for a war with Iraq on the ideas of WMD. I think in reality the real president is Karl Rove. Bush is nothing but a facade put up by him and his co-horts to appeal to the "New Sucker Generation" (a la Prince's New Power Generation; nice analogy isn't it?). They already succeeded in Texas. They have done it now nationwide. Please spare us another 4 more years!!!!
But yet, I am not a fully convinced by Kerry. He sounds great, but later gets my interest down....very easily. Gore at least could keep it up. Remember, he invented the internet (or as the RNC would have you believe). And Clinton was marvelous. But it at least seems that Kerry knows what he is saying at times. So am I an undecided voter? No...not really. I already know who I am voting for, unless and until that candidate says something that really disturbs me.
So going into tonight, it seems that there is a tie between Bush and Kerry in the polls, and dependent on whoever speaks logically tonight, will win over some of the undecided's. I'm sure some of them may not even have their minds made up until the weekend before the elections. As we know Kerry has come back due to his great performance in the first debate, making Bush look like he really belonged on this site. The second debate was somewhat more 'in to it' kind of environment, and both played well, yet Kerry came out with a slight edge. Tonight they will talk about domestic policy, and most likely healthcare issues. Domestically, this administration hasn't done too much except blow wind and say that they lowered taxes. Infact yesterday our great President said to a Republican dominated rally that Kerry is a liberal (monikers that mean nothing in reality) who wants to "tax and spend". I wonder whose money he's currently spending on the war in Iraq......maybe he can answer that tonight!
Well, tonight is the final debate between the 2 weakest Presidential candidates we have seen since the last election in 2000. I can tell you right off the bat, that I am no Bush fan nor for his administration. And whatever respect I had for Colin Powell has been waning ever since his infamous speech at the UN, vouching for a war with Iraq on the ideas of WMD. I think in reality the real president is Karl Rove. Bush is nothing but a facade put up by him and his co-horts to appeal to the "New Sucker Generation" (a la Prince's New Power Generation; nice analogy isn't it?). They already succeeded in Texas. They have done it now nationwide. Please spare us another 4 more years!!!!
But yet, I am not a fully convinced by Kerry. He sounds great, but later gets my interest down....very easily. Gore at least could keep it up. Remember, he invented the internet (or as the RNC would have you believe). And Clinton was marvelous. But it at least seems that Kerry knows what he is saying at times. So am I an undecided voter? No...not really. I already know who I am voting for, unless and until that candidate says something that really disturbs me.
So going into tonight, it seems that there is a tie between Bush and Kerry in the polls, and dependent on whoever speaks logically tonight, will win over some of the undecided's. I'm sure some of them may not even have their minds made up until the weekend before the elections. As we know Kerry has come back due to his great performance in the first debate, making Bush look like he really belonged on this site. The second debate was somewhat more 'in to it' kind of environment, and both played well, yet Kerry came out with a slight edge. Tonight they will talk about domestic policy, and most likely healthcare issues. Domestically, this administration hasn't done too much except blow wind and say that they lowered taxes. Infact yesterday our great President said to a Republican dominated rally that Kerry is a liberal (monikers that mean nothing in reality) who wants to "tax and spend". I wonder whose money he's currently spending on the war in Iraq......maybe he can answer that tonight!
India-Australia Test Series 2004: 2nd Test
After an abysmal performance by the Indian team in Banglore, one suspects that the morale of the team is genuinely low due to the little master's (Tendulkar) abscence. I for one think it's quite ridiculous that a team can't function properly when Tendlya is out of the lineup. It is absurd, cause teams like Australia and England continue to shine without their best player. Then again the Aussies are excellent from 1 to 11.
Anyway, getting back to the issue at hand, the second test match between OZ begins tomorrow at Chennai, and the Aussies have the upperhand. Right now the team with the fighting hungry spirit will dominate this match. From what we evidenced from the first match, India's top order (nonetheless even the middle), were nowhere to be seen, and thanks to gutsy batting by Irfan Pathan and some support by Parthiv Patel, Harbhajan Singh, and Dravid, it at least showed that India could fight back.
Right now, I'll say that Australia might dominate this series, yet knowing the history of the Australian affair in India, India might pull this one out. Let's just hope the side that dominated the last year, up until after the Pakistan series is the same one that shows up!
Anyway, getting back to the issue at hand, the second test match between OZ begins tomorrow at Chennai, and the Aussies have the upperhand. Right now the team with the fighting hungry spirit will dominate this match. From what we evidenced from the first match, India's top order (nonetheless even the middle), were nowhere to be seen, and thanks to gutsy batting by Irfan Pathan and some support by Parthiv Patel, Harbhajan Singh, and Dravid, it at least showed that India could fight back.
Right now, I'll say that Australia might dominate this series, yet knowing the history of the Australian affair in India, India might pull this one out. Let's just hope the side that dominated the last year, up until after the Pakistan series is the same one that shows up!
My first post....
This is my first post on my first ever Blog site.....So what's it gonna be about? Well pretty much my thoughts on Politics, Sports, and things in general in the USA, and India. Why these two countries? Well both factor into my life, and in my gene pool. Secondly they are the world's two largest democracies, and do influence a lot in the ways of culture and world affairs. And thirdly, as a tribute to both.
I will in the meantime have 'resident experts' post their ideas and thoughts on topics of their own on this blog.
I will in the meantime have 'resident experts' post their ideas and thoughts on topics of their own on this blog.
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