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Nick Saban instructs the Bama faithful
2007-09-25 16:51:00
I've been a fan of the Crimson Tide my entire life.I love that school, and team. It represents me. It represents home. Many of you who do not share the same loyalty still understand the sentiment.When 'Bama lost to Georgia this weekend. It didn't bother me very much. The Tide was defeated by a simply better, deeper team. Mark Richt is a good coach, and we are rebuilding. Any other outcome would have been a great surprise. I'm still expecting a 7 or 8 win season at best.The only saddening event in my eyes was the reaction of a few idiots in the endzone who decided to pelt the celebrating Georgia players.I have seen that happen from many different fans, in many different stadiums, but it does not make it right. After the game, Coach Saban addressed the issue indirectly:"One other thing that I'd like to touch on is that I think class is a real critical part of any organization. It's a word that I see, that comes up on our board when we do some of our traditional stuff here as a p...
More About: Alabama football , Nick , Faithful , Nick Saban

Porch Picks of the Week
2007-09-22 18:02:00
Here's the rundown, albeit rushed to get in before kickoffs.Florida at Ole Miss: Coach Oyoyoyoyoyoy is gonna get it handed to him. Florida 52-10Kentucky at Arkansas: In a super close game it will come down to home cookin'. Arkansas 35-31Georgia at Alabama: I'm scared to go with my gut here. Two young teams going head to head. The difference is Bama pressuring Matt Stafford (who is very good by the way). Bama 27-26Upset Special: If there's going to be an upset today it's gonna be South Carolina. Unlikely, but I'm gonna go ahead and call USC 31-LSU 30 on a last minute field goal.Have a great weekend!
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Injustice and the "Jena 6"
2007-09-21 22:16:00
I know I've been out of the loop a bit lately. All apologies. I work. This one has momentarily drawn me to the old keyboard.Most of you by now know of the "Jena 6 ." These six black teens are charged with attempted murder for almost killing a white student in a brutal beating. Now we see swarms of protesters marching the streets demanding these goons be set free. Add a dash of Al Sharpton and you have newsday gold it seemsThe fact that I have to break down the "why" in this is deafeningly sad.Previously some white students did hang nooses in the town. It was obviously a deplorable thing to do. There is nothing that could be done to condone so ignorant an action.On December 4, about three months after the nooses were discovered, six teens, dubbed the Jena 6, were accused of beating classmate Justin Barker. The six -- Mychal Bell, Robert Bailey Jr., Carwin Jones, Bryant Purvis, Theo Shaw and Jesse Ray Beard -- were originally charged with attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy...
More About: Injustice

Parenting
2007-09-20 05:36:00
Recently, Dave and I bought a new car. It's a 1998 Toyota Rav-4 with only 85,000 miles on it, which is pretty outstanding. I had been driving Dave's 2004 Dodge Ram and he had been driving a clunker. The right time came, and we got a sweet deal on my Rav 4. I absolutely love it, but you wouldn't believe how different it is from the Dodge. It has a totally different set up, it has different controls and it handles much, much slower. Luckily, it came with a very handy owners manual that lets me know exactly what it's supposed to do, what it's not, when something is wrong, and what all the controls are for. Which brings me to my point.Why do cars, which have only one basic purpose, come with owners manuals while children do not?It will never cease to amaze me, that when you become a parent, you are immediately expected to know exactly what to do with this thing you just made. You are responsible for teaching every element of life, and giving them every basic form of knowledge that ...
More About: Parenting , Parent , Pare

Your Two Cents
2007-09-20 03:30:00
Steming from my note on Constitution Day, it seems that there are more people out there than just me who feel that the U.S. Constitution is not being upheld and defended as well as it should. I guess that means that it's time for an overdue session of Your Two Cents . I'll call this episode Your Two Cents: Constitution edition.We could talk about what the network media has wrongly dubbed "Domestic Spying" and its unconstitutional implications. You might wanna voice your displeasure concerning "Free Speech Zones" on the campuses of major American universities. I'm sure there is also some founding fat to chew about the University of Florida student-tasing scandal going on right now. Whatever you wanna say about the lack of respect being shown to it, this is the place to discuss the protection of the Constitution.Question: What amendments are most at risk and by whom are they threatened?Your Two Cents, please.

A Red Letter Day
2007-09-17 19:10:00
~September 17, 1787~Today, we tip our caps to the signers of the United States Constitution.May it be better upheld and defended tomorrow than it is today.
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Porch Prognostications...
2007-09-14 20:24:00
This weekend there are some great matchups across the nation. Fate's palm looks like this to yours truly:Tennessee at Florida: Phil and the gang are traveling down to the swamp looking for a little Urban warfare. Unfortunately they will find it. In an offensive showcase penalties will make the difference in a sloppy Tennessee loss. Florida 34-Tennessee 28Notre Dame at Michigan: We knew ND wasn't so hot, but Michigan? In a battle of crap the Irish will channel Appalachian State and the Blue and Gold faithful will shed more tears. ND 28- Michigan 14Arkansas at Alabama: As much as I'd love to think otherwise, 'Bama's in trouble here. Jones and McFadden will run all day over 'Bama's young, porous defense. Casey Dick is awful, but who needs a QB? Arkansas 35- Alabama 17Mississippi State at Auburn: Poor State. Auburn gets on track here with a 27-7 win.Enjoy the weekend! Here's to glory, and a wee bit 'o luck.Last week's record 2-12-1 overall.
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The American Dream (Home)
2007-09-12 18:46:00
Since when was the American Dream defined by one?s status as a home owner or not?I have found this idea to be increasingly popular. I hear it in realtor commercials and banking ads and on call-in financial management programs ? and I can?t help but feel rather irritated at the fact I feel bombarded by the idea at every turn lately.Apparently, I am not living the American Dream , since I am currently renting. The same is true for so many military families like mine who have found that the mobile nature of the military lifestyle does not necessarily make homeownership practical. It?s a bummer for our service members who rent or live in base housing that they are protecting American freedoms, but they and their families are not part of the Dream. I guess all those well-compensated stock brokers and CEOs and attorneys and investment bankers ? not to mention the teachers and the merchants and the service industry workers ? in Manhattan who rent on the island just a few miles from where ma...
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German Engineering vs. Islamic Zeal
2007-09-11 23:11:00
Enjoy =)
More About: Islamic , Engineering , German , Zeal , Slam

Porch Prognostications...
2007-09-08 15:38:00
Each week I'm looking to grab a hold of three college gridiron matchups, squeeze 'em, juice 'em, and then serve 'em up on ice with a slice of lemon. Here's a look at any given Saturday, this Saturday.#9 Virginia Tech at #2 LSU: The Hokies apparently have been anointed as "America's Team" by someone, don't really know who, and Les Miles is riding Nick Saban's recruits to vicarious glory on the Bayou. VT is undefeated for years on road openers, and LSU might be the class of the SEC. I simply on't buy the "pull for Virginia Tech because of the shooting" drama (seeing as how football had nothing to do with it). I'm seeing LSU by 10 here --31-21South Carolina at #11 Georgia: Spurrier has the Gamecocks going in the right direction, but Blake Mitchell coming off suspension won't be enough to outscore Stafford and the Dawgs. Georgia by 14 -- 28-14#342 Alabama at #8456 Vanderbilt: Earl Alexander is a stud. Period. Saban has 'Bama pointed up again, but it's early and the defense ...
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What is it about this week?
2007-09-07 22:41:00
Sometimes you just have to stop and vent. Sometimes you just have to get it out.What the hell is it about this week?I know that the last few posts here on the Porch have seemed a bit "down home." Yes, that's a nice way to say yankee bashing. I know there are many great people in other parts of the country. I am fully aware that being Southern doesn't give you a corner on common courtesy.But there was the pesky matter of this week.After loads of garbage I find myself in the doctor's office. I'm here for a routine physical. It's a routine of a routine day to this point, the only abnormalities being the two kids across from me interrupting a fantastic Rick Bragg artice in Sports Illustrated. It's no big deal. They are here with their obviously exhausted mommy, waiting to see the physician. Just as I was.Being Friday, I'm dressed in an old school University of Alabama t-shirt and jeans. It seems appropriate to show some spirit on Fridays in my estimation.Minding my own business.R...
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Pulled Pork and Pigskin, Southern Style
2007-09-07 15:20:00
A client of mine sent me this article written by an old college friend. I thought it was marvelous given the season.Enjoy.OXFORD, Miss. -- Two friends, both unhinged football fans, got married earlier this year. During the wedding reception, the bride's father somehow got the Ole Miss band to march into the room, a blaring chorus of starched uniforms and shining brass. The groom conducted. The crowd stomped and cheered. You'd have thought folks were celebrating a 12-play scoring drive, not holy matrimony. Soon after the wedding, I watched video of this event. Immediately, I recognized the feeling deep down in my gut. It's something I've felt in so many cathedral-like stadiums. I closed my eyes, and the familiar notes sent me rushing months into the future, longing for a tailgate that escalates from simmer to burn, for the chill bumps that always come in the moments before kickoff, for the evening breezes rustling the white oaks when the game is done. My body sat in front of a co...
More About: Style , Pork , Southern , Hern , Pull

I haven't written about that yet, but I'd like to...
2007-09-06 22:04:00
This is a list of topics and stories that I either haven't had the time to write about, or the blurb says it all and needs no further follow up:--Fred Thompson's Campaign is sunk before it started. Yesterday, three torpedoes hit Fred's Presidential bid broadside.One, the Fox News story on the dismissals and resignations of initial staffers, and how he and his wife treated the former staff.Two, the fact that he skipped the debate to announce his candidacy on Leno.Three, Fox News was relentless with their ribbing and references to his absence. Britt Hume even served up a question about the M.I.A. candidate to Romney, Giuliani, and McCain.Take it easy, Fred! We'll holler.-- Ron Paul is simply unelectable. Lord knows I love most of what he has to say, but last night he just rant and raved, going on and on giving an answer to some question, just not the question asked by the panel. I cringed every time he opened his mouth last night.Terrible.-- ESPN likes to try and ruin my football ...
More About: Haven , Written

Who Gives a Whoop?
2007-09-06 15:18:00
Dog fighting is a Southern thing.I wasn't aware of that fact before Whoopi Goldberg told me on Tuesday morning. My shame wasn't fully complete until yesterday when ESPN Radio host, Colin Cowherd, brought up slavery and how that wasn't right either, and the South had to be forced to move on from their backward ways. Just like here in the case of dogfighting. Again, we have been forced to move on as a people.For the rest of the day I felt as if I should tear my clothes and rub gravel in my hair for the sins of my forefathers who had fought and died for the Confederacy. Never mind the fact that they didn't own slaves on their cattle farm. Never mind the fact that before desegregation, members of my family didn't need any Federal legislation to treat a black person as an equal. I just feel the need to apologize to all blacks everywhere for Michael Vick, and the current state of the Black subculture in America today.I blame myself. I'm sorry.Give me a break. Seriously? It's a Sou...

Your Two Cents -- of sorts
2007-08-31 05:34:00
I've had within my possession, for about 14 months now, Jonathan Foreman's book, The Pocket Book of Patriotism . I only had to read it once to agree with what it says on the back sleeve: "it is essential that this book find itself in every home and school in America".A quick synopsis:In the first portion of the book, Foreman recounts a timeline of selected human events paired to events in American history. Truthfully, I've never read that portion all the way through but when I want to find something of interest, I check to see if it's in there.The second portion of the book contains monumental speeches, excerpts from (or entire) several important documents, and historic songs and verse that have been woven into the fabric of our country.Finally, the last portion lists assorted US facts including all 42 presidents (Grover Cleveland listed twice), the name and occasion of each state admitted to the union, the Pledge of allegiance, the naturalization oath, the medals of honor for br...
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Absolutely Speechless...(too bad she wasn't)
2007-08-30 02:50:00
Wow. Um, wow. I'm sure someone out there is going to blame President Bush for this too.
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Proud Papa Moment
2007-08-29 16:28:00
I thought you all in the family would enjoy this random photo taken yesterday of me and the boy. To those of you in the TCFL--see you Friday =)Man they grow up fast.
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Born to Be Wild...
2007-08-29 04:04:00
My brother-in-law sent me a YouTube video tonight of Governor Huckabee and his band. The rumor is that they are all staff, which would certainly explain the lackluster performance. However, in the related section I found this gem. Enjoy!
More About: Wild , Born to be wild

National Weather Service the least accurate. Should we cut its funding?
2007-08-28 18:28:00
I came across an article the other day that suggested ridding the country of the National Weather Service . In the piece, the author, Daniel J. Mitchell of the Cato-at-liberty blog, states that the $882 million annual price tag is a mighty big pill for taxpayers to swallow considering a new study showed the NWS forecasts are the least accurate. Here is a selection from a related news story by John Lott from Foxnews.comDespite dire predictions from the National Hurricane Center, no hurricanes hit the U.S. last year. ?private weather forecasting companies predicted the threat to New Orleans well before the National Weather Service. In fact, AccuWeather issued a forecast that the hurricane would hit New Orleans 12 hours earlier than the government service. ?It is not just for hurricanes that private forecasting comes out on top. A new study by Forecast Watch, a company that keeps track of past forecasts, found that from Oct. 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, the government?s National Weat...
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Would You Buy Stock In this Company?
2007-08-28 04:25:00
I came across some interesting stats recently and thought I would share them. What do you think?Of over 500 employees in one certain company:29 have been accused of domestic assault.7 have been arrested for fraud.19 have been convicted of check cashing fraud.117 have been responsible for claiming bankruptcy protection at least twice.3 have done time for assault.71 can not qualify for credit cards because of bad credit.14 have been arrested on drug charges.8 have been arrested for shoplifting.21 are current defendents in lawsuits.84 this year have been arrested on DUI.The company?The United States Congress.And they think they know what's best for me? They think they ought to tell us what our values should be? I don't think so.
More About: Company , Stock , Compa

Well now, really...
2007-08-23 23:11:00
So the best link I could find to this was through ABC news and All American Patriots. The ABC source is from AP, who did the study along with MTV.I don't know how many of you have been paying attention the past few days, but Monday a new study came out about teen happiness. The big thing that struck me was that 3/4 said a relationship with their parents makes them happy. Half said religion was important and that sex didn't lead to their happiness. Amazing. Half also said their parents were their heroes. How now brown cow.Not surprisingly, race was brought in. Apparently white kids are more happy than black and Hispanics. I had to wonder if it was less about being "white," but some cultural aspects found in the other communities.What are your thoughts?
More About: Ally , Well

Had a bad day, mom?
2007-08-23 16:38:00
Yesterday Kristen wrote a fantastic piece on her site and I encourage you all to read it. It's a fantastic piece on women, children, the workplace, and bad days.Strong.
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Theological Differences
2007-08-22 21:00:00
I'm cheating, I know it. I haven't even written an article myself and I'm posting a link. But this article I just read is so very good and thought provoking, that I immediately thought of my Front Porch Kin. I'm sure you will all enjoy it, I only wished I had written it first.http://www.reallivepreacher.com/nod e/1399
More About: Differences , Ferenc , Theological , Logical , Logi

Let Me Be The First to Say, "I Don't Care"
2007-08-21 20:42:00
Michael Vick has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to throw his career away...and I don't care.For the last several weeks ESPN Radio personalities have lamented about having to cover the "Michael Vick Saga" and all its nastiness; as if what's in the news has anything to do with the quality of journalism.Here's some real journalism for you in the Michael Vick case: Get A Life!Vick was an overpaid, under-producing, rather impersonal NFL quarterback. He talked about himself in the third person, had a below average QB rating, and was never a leader in the Falcon locker room. Therefore, as far as the number of wins, efficiency, Super Bowls, leadership, etc. this is Jake Delhomme we're talking about, and much closer to Ryan Leaf with his leadership credentials.I understand Vick brings the mobility aspect to the table, and he's marketable because of his athleticism and his skin color, which by the way has been a dividing line on Vick's guilt or innocence.(As an aside, I would like to say ...
More About: Care , Michael Vick

Manning the QB Position
2007-08-21 18:29:00
For those of us that need a laugh today...
More About: Saturday Night Live , Peyton Manning , Manning , Posi , Position

Our Own Little Clan War
2007-08-20 16:51:00
Football is coming once again, as we are already knee deep in College practice and professional preseason. I stumbled across this smug write up from Pat Forde on why the South loves them some college football and had to repost a personal bit from a couple years ago.The reason is simple: The SEC has to be better than the Pac-10. It's nonnegotiable.The quality of life in the South is dependent upon good college football. Local economies, race relations and collective psychological health all would suffer without it. Sweet tea would not be as sweet. Fried chicken would not be as crispy. Country songs would be even sadder. And that's why the SEC is the king of college football. Because the alternative is too traumatic for the South to handle.In my estimation, the Southern fried passion for college football isn't about not having anything else. It's simply cultural. Anyone with half a cerebrum can see that College football is a clan war on grass that takes many of us back to days un...
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Debate all you want, but....
2007-08-17 20:58:00
Sometimes you just need a random blast from the past.Have a great weekend!
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The Continuing Debate
2007-08-16 17:20:00
Per the lengthy responses we've seen on the post below, I thought it might be good to take the debate to a fresh sheet of paper and address some ideas that are buried deep within the responses. This is my continuing response:I always appreciate learning something from those who know more about a subject, and I thank Cat for sharing her experiences and knowledge with us.My limited understanding may have led to a far fetched proposal of more money and social workers into a failing system. I do want to clarify my position though...I believe all social disability programs should be transitional, and not permanent. The philosophy of government to which I subscribe holds socialism in stark contrast to what governments are established to do.So, if the question is posed to me, "What are those disabled, homeless, and jobless to do without government aid?"My answer: I'm working on a solution, but I don't believe it should be the government's problem.As a New Testament Christian it is my r...
More About: Debate , Conti , The Con

Your Two Cents
2007-08-13 20:26:00
Its good to be back on the Front Porch although I'd be amiss of I didn't pony up to the fact that I'd still like to be at Walt Disney World right now. ;)Issue #2: Fantasy PresidencyNo, this isn't the latest pseudo-sport being hosted on yahoo, cnnsi, or foxsports.com. I'm asking you to consider that you've just been elected President of these United States. After selecting your cabinet members, chief-of-staff, and secretary of the secret cookie stash, what would your first act be as commander in chief and chief executive of the most powerful, free nation in the world?My Two Cents :Since I believe that this nation's security is currently the highest priority issue, I would push for allocations of funds to the lowest bidding private contractor for immediate construction of the best border fence/barrier/wall/system suitable for the specific topography of both the northern and southern borders.CNN has reported that copies of the Koran have been found along our southern border. This...

Aaron v. Bonds
2007-08-09 20:26:00
I loved Hank Aaron when I was a kid. I read everything about him I could get my hands on. He used to tell people that he got his hitting strength from delivering big blocks of ice in Mobile. I remember trying to hit cross-handed (batting right-handed, but holding the bad like a left-handed hitter) in little league, because that?s how Hank did it. It didn?t work nearly as well for me.So, what?s so strange about a kid idolizing a home-run hero? Hank Aaron quit playing baseball four years before I was born. I never saw him play. It was Hank Aaron?s legacy that I was enamored with.What, then, of Barry Bonds ? Will my kids idolize the legacy of Bonds by conducting mock congressional hearings? Should I stock up on Big League Chew Steroids in advance?Barry Bonds deserves the home run record. He has put more balls out of the park than anyone else. That?s what the record counts. But what legacy does he deserve? Do records mean less now than they did before, because of who holds t...
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