Week Two, NFL

In week one, GB grits out a win over the pressed-into-service dog-killer himself, M. Vick. If Kolb had played all game the score would have been much more lopsided.
Ryan Grant is now done for the year. Brandon Jackson does a good job replacing him and GB does exactly what was expected, crushing the Bills. What makes this happy day even happier were the losses by Dallas and Minnesota. Apparently Purple Jesus is 40 years old. Who knew? Clay Matthews continues his evolution into a machine that destroys offending players. The special teams, kickoff returns especially, continue to improve. Bulaga was in at LT from late in the second half; has Chad Clifton started his last game for GB?
Looking ahead to week three, GB will be playing the Bears. GB will have to do a better job of stopping a running team equipped with a Marshall Faulk-style running back. The Packers will be able to handle Chicago’s passing game. Offensively GB should eat up the Bears. GB’s running game won’t terrify anyone, but with Rogers et al leading the way and commanding defensive adjustments, there should be running yards available.
Prediction: GB: 31 CHI: 17
Clay Matthews: 2 sacks and continued dominance. The man is an engine of destruction.

Some Gun Myths Have Their Lunch Money Taken

My experience leads me to agree with the author of this article. I especially like the admonitions of caveat emptor regarding “gun shop guy” in the article and comments.

When DIY Websites Go Sarcastic

How to buy milk. If you read all the way to the end of the article, the sarcasm thickens; an excerpt from step six: “Carry it home in a bag because it will make your hands cold.”
I had to double check, thinking that I was on The Onion’s website, but no.

Week One of the NFL

The pretenders have been (somewhat) separated from the contenders, as they say. The Jets, Cowboys, 49ers, Vikings, Chargers, and Indianapolis all went down. Both the contenders and pretenders have had some flaws exposed by their opponents. In the case of Green Bay, their limited depth on the defensive line may become a more serious problem in the coming weeks. The offense didn't exactly lay an egg, but didn't live up to expectations either. I think that they'll be just fine though. The defense overall played well in my opinion. Vick gashed them open for lots of rushing yards, but GB didn't game plan for him, and proper game planning is vital at the professional level. In the end, GB's defensive stars came out and shut down the Eagles just enough. Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson (among others) snuffed out Vick's last chance to tie the game, preserving the win.
My prediction was GB 31, PHI 13. If Kolb had been the starter all game I think that the final score might very well have been just that. We'll see how GB fares against the Buffalo Bills. Frankly the Bills suck and GB should just hammer them (knocking on wood.) We'll see.

SSG Giunta Receives Official Notice of His Large, Titanium, Balls

It has taken nine years, but a serviceman will both earn a Medal of Honor and be breathing when he has it draped around his neck. He's not from my old outfit, but is a paratrooper so close enough. Well done and don’t earn another one if you can help it. BTW, it seems one must be a paratrooper to know how to properly wear a beret. Usually the misshapen floppy black beret perched upon the skulls of the hapless and misbegotten appears as nothing more than the result of an unfortunate landing site of a worn, windblown, black sock.
I can't help but notice the official White House blog has BHO's picture associated with this story. I suppose the purpose of the WH blog is to help us all love our dear leader more, but still...

The Most Unintentionally Creepy Line In A Song Ever

Turning Japanese

“I want a doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well…”
From the song “I Think I’m Turning Japanese” by The Vapors.  Later covered by Liz Phair.

Week One GNB v. PHI Prediction

The Packers offense isn’t a chimera, and will put up ridiculous numbers throughout this season. There isn’t anything else that can be said about them.
The defense though, will be interesting to watch. Al Harris is out for the first six weeks on the PUP list, but he isn’t the corner that he once was anyway. The safety play will also be key early this season. Atari Bigby will be hanging out with Harris for six weeks and his replacement, Morgan Burnett is as green as the 9th hole at Augusta. If Tramon Williams has a good first six games in his absence look for Harris to come back as the nickel back. Speaking of green, Sam Shields makes Burnett look like a third-year pro. Raw is an understatement. Let’s hope that his superior athletic ability will be enough to keep him above water until Bigby is back. The defensive line looks like it should be strong this year, not top five or maybe even top ten strong, but up to the job of keeping the opposing linemen busy and off of the linebackers, the running lanes tight, and perhaps with some bonus pass rush against inferior offensive lines. The linebackers I believe will have a strong season as a group. The keys will be Clay Matthews following up his great rookie season, AJ Hawk becoming more than just a solid starter, and some pass rush and short zone protection from the other two starters.
Special teams as the old saw goes, haven’t been all that special lately. Everything about the kick return game, offensively and defensively, have been within reach of disastrous for years, and last season Mason Crosby only made 75% of his kicks. Not good enough for the NFL, but the coaching staff has confidence in him and didn’t even bother to bring in a camp leg for competition. The punting game…let’s not discuss that. I’ll just say that it can’t really get much worse so whoever it is they kept will be an improvement. The relatively low turnover among the team’s starters is a hopeful sign that the non-specialist special team guys will be improved this year. I hope.
Week One Prediction: GNB 34 PHI 20. Look for the game to be won with turnovers and defensive pressure.

I Thought That I Had It Bad

Looking at these combat rations which are being fed to the troops of our allies, suddenly I don’t feel as horrible as I had remembered. MREs aren’t high culinary art, but look at what those poor bastards from the Ukraine and South Korea are wolfing down. Cultural relativity aside, those guys are eating mediocre dog food.
It's been twenty years now since I've eaten an MRE in anger, but they don't look much different. Different menus, better food, more variety, but still the same stuff more or less. No military spends as much time as the US forces do, even disregarding this whole war on terror. The US Army has spent lots of time and effort creating better combat rations, and I doubt that better ones are made, cultural food preferences aside. I always remember that the French were reputed to have good meals but after looking at that photo, I'm not so sure.