Merry Fucking Christmas!

...and a Happy New Year!

Why can't all movie reviews be this funny?

Here's The New York Times generally positive review of "Four Christmases", a movie I saw this week and enjoyed about as much as the reviewer.

The review is light and funny and doesn't try to make anything more or less of this lightweight entertainment vehicle than is necessary. Now, why can't all movie reviews be at least as funny as the film they purport to review?

"Thank You" Post on Sons of Sam Horn from Curt Schilling

Here's something interesting. Curt Schilling, who goes by the handle Gehrig38, saying "Thanks!" to all the members and lurkers at the best fan website in America, SonsofSamHorn.com recently. And you can see from the numerous replies how appreciative the community was of his well wishes.

There's a new Michael Lewis book out! There's a new Michael Lewis book out!

First, best selling author Michael Lewis wrote a fascinating article about the financial collapse of Wall Street for Portfolio.com.

And his new book, "Panic! The Story of Modern Financial Insanity" is just out in bookstores and on Amazon.

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Lewis is the author of such seminal titles of business as "Liar's Poker", "Moneyball", and "The New New Thing." Anything he writes must be read, as he is a true voice of reason in the wilderness of American culture and business. Thank heavens he continues to inform and investigate, as without him our economy would be completely lacking sense to dolts like me, who only have an accounting degree from Miami University, a CPA license, and a MEd.

Ever wonder why a school can't win anymore?

It can be as simple as a university going on a building spree that continues for years without anyone noticing its potential detrimental effect on the high powered basketball program.

Such is the case at St. Johns University, located in New York city.

Back in the school's heyday, Coach Louie Carnesecca used to recruit kids either straight out of high school or through the transfer process that wanted to come home or remain in good old New York city. The kicker was that since St. Johns didn't have much dorm space, the players were given a stipend approved by the NCAA that was meant to allow them to live in the locale of the school. Since NY is just about the most expensive city to live in in the world, the players were given a hefty check, then would crash with Moms or bunk up with some friends at a local dive apartment. And it was all approved by the NCAA. Here is a terrific article by Sports Illustrated's Seth Davis discussing this in detail.

But now that St. Johns has built enough dorms for roughly a quarter of their student population to live on campus, there is no excuse for the players to live at home. And that has hurt recruiting big time. The St. Johns facilities are second rate despite recent improvements and current Head Coach Norm Roberts has been unable to land any highly thought of high school or junior college players in his five year tenure.

The school may fire Roberts, but the problems will continue. Unless they break the piggy bank and hire some college legend, the school will continue to suffer. High school players have seen to much of the country by the time it comes to make a college decision via AAU and summer camps to want to stay at some stuffy dorm in Queens. And it is next to impossible to get good players to come to a losing program.

Good luck to Coach Roberts, who seems to be a good man and a hard worker. But it would appear that St. Johns will have to live with being a second class citizen of the Big East conference for quite some time.

Should Coach Weis Stay or Should He Go? I Say "Stay"

One more year for Charlie Weis is the advice I would give the University of Notre Dame, even after one of the worst losses in school history fell upon the program this afternoon against dreadful Syracuse.

The Irish are now 6-5, with no real good wins and two simply embarrassing losses in the 2008 regular season: today's game and the 17-0 meltdown against Boston College two weeks ago. Losses to UNC, Pitt, and Michigan State are not as bad as they appeared at first blush, since those three teams are going bowling.

No, I would give Coach Weis at least one more year. Notre Dame already has the reputation of a coaches graveyard after destroying the once promising careers of Bob Davie and Tyrone Willingham (who is now out at Washington).

Firing a once well thought of NFL type who led the school to Bowl Championship Series Bowls his first two seasons would complete a type of trifecta: the assistant promoted to the head man's job (Davie), the winning coach at a lower tier BCS school (Willingham), and the NFL genius (Weis), all of whom would have failed in the most pressure packed of all college head coaching assignments.

Should Coach Weis not win seven or eight games next year given the caliber of high school talent he had admittedly been able to recruit to South Bend then I would feel better about letting him go and beginning the search anew. But not before then.

Given the Irish relatively weak 2009 schedule, seven wins appears a reasonable threshold to meet for the once golden Charlie Weis. And the fact that other school's will be able to use Weis tenuous hold on the Notre Dame job against the Irish in recruiting should not be a major factor in that they already have a good deal of highly ranked athletes at the school. That will not be an excuse next season.

Good luck to what appears to be a good man caught in a tough situation. Coach Weis has never been in the head man's job before. Is he a failure? Is he learning on the job and will soon prove to be a prescient choice by the ND administration? Only time will tell.

A Commander In Chief worthy of the title: Lincoln

In James M. McPherson's new "Tried By War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander In Chief", a wonderful addition has been made to the already rather large number of excellent and important works on the Civil War.

Though only 270 pages of text, "Tried By War" is essential reading for those who may not be aware of how expertly President Lincoln led the Union's armed forces during this country's most turbulent and troubled era. Lincoln had served only briefly in the military, during an Indian conflict in Illinois decades prior, and thus was brand new to the business of war. But, as described by McPherson, he was a quick and dedicated student, and would soon come to realize that he understood how to wage a successful war against the rebellious states better than almost any of his generals.

The New York Times gave the book a strikingly positive review

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Just so you know:

Steven Spielberg is scheduled to shoot a biopic on Lincoln next year that is slated for a 2010 release. Liam Neeson and Sally Field are set to star as the President and Mrs. Lincoln.

Should be an extraordinary movie event!

The silliest of all the silly religions

The Mormon Super Bowl will be played today out in Utah. Those who have a rooting interest call it "The Holy War." Brigham Young University will be playing the University of Utah in a fairly important college football game that will play a small role in determining how the national championship and Bowl Championship Series will play out.

But to me, the fascinating part of this is the mind blowing strangeness of the religion that millions of Americans, many of whom choose to live in the state of Utah, profess belief in. The excellent and mind blowing non-fiction book "Under the Banner of Heaven", by the outstanding Jon Krakauer, tells the tale of some Morman fundamentalists who committed murder a few years back. But in amidst the story of the killings are descriptions of Mormon beliefs about God, Joseph Smith, native Americans ancestry, marraige, Brigham Young, and the special place that Utah holds. I won't try to convert any true believers, but to me, if you think that aliens landed here centuries ago and planted special books in mines in the US, then you're kind of strange.

The Golden Age of Boston Sports

Just perusing the standings in today's online Boston Globe, and I was struck by how successful all four of the Boston sports teams are, or were, in their current or most recent seasons.

Certainly, as any New Englander can tell you, this is not earth shaking news. With the Patriots defeat of St. Louis in the 2002 Super Bowl, the greatest era in Boston sports history was brought upon us. The Pats went on to win two more Super Bowls, the Red Sox ended 86 years of post season futility in 2004, then won the World Series again in 2007. The Celtics recaptured the championship last season, their first in 22 years.

And finally...yes, FINALLY, the Boston Bruins are back winning games. Currently, they are second in the Eastern Conference in points, behind only the newly vigorous New York Rangers. Good for the baby B's!

The Bruins were my first Boston sports love. I was a bit too young for the Red Sox World Series losing team in 1975. I can remember watching the series, but was not heavily involved. Even in the playoff loss to the hated Yankees three years later, I recall going outside to shoot baskets with friends on the afternoon of the game. But the B's, Lunch-Pail-AC? With Don Cherry at the helm? With wicked wrist shooter Bobby Schmautz, Terry O'Reilly, John Wensink, Stan Jonathan, a balding Gerry Cheevers in goal? Forgettaboutit! I was in love.

How many of you can remember "Too Many Men on the Ice", against the arch rival Montreal Canadians back in the Stanley Cup semifinal round in 1979? The Bruins, pre-Bourque, were quite the lovable band of overachievers. General Manager Harry Sinden could always find hard working, talented but not too talented players to shore up the forward line or the defense. And man could they fight! Wensink and Jonathan especially. Little Stan went about 5 7, but was the toughest player in the league pound for pound. This was a time in my youth when I actually enjoyed hockey fights, thinking them harmless sideshows that proved how tough a team was. I would grow out of this phase and have developed a certain distaste for the fisticuffs. But in my early teens I loved to see two tough guys mix it up. And no one ever outfought the Bruins.

Remember the entire team going into the stands in Madison Square Garden to fight with a bunch of drunken fans one night? John Wensink once challenged the entire Minnesota North Stars team to a fight, and they chickened out! Classic stuff that seemed harmless to a young kid watching at home.

Though they never won a Stanley Cup with that wonderful crew, they did give Boston sports fans a ton of exciting years of high caliber NHL hockey. Thanks to all of them.

And thanks to the GM Peter Chiarelli and the entire Bruins management for finally finding a winning formula that has provided the groundwork to give some of the NHL's best and most loyal hockey fans a team worthy of their love. Go Bruins!

A major racial barrier falls in major league baseball, as...

....the first Asian-American is named manager of a MLB team. The Seattle Mariners have named Don Wakamatsu their new manager. As you may know, the Mariners are owned by Japanese money (Nintendo of America, so this hiring is no shock.

But I consider it wonderful news to any sports fans and Americans interested in promoting diversity in the workforce. All things being equal, the M's management team decided to break new boundaries. Good for them.

Now, if they can just get the team to stop from sucking, as they went 61-101 this year..

Young people can change the world. In admittedly small ways, but still....

Sports Illustrated Seth Davis wrote a brilliant column today about a high school player from Alabama who is refusing to sign an extemely one sided national athletic scholarship letter of intent to attend his college of choice, the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Since the beginning of athletic scholarships, young men signed their playing futures away in the hope that the coaching staff that recruited him would still be there a year of two in the future when the youngster arrives on campus. Now, DeMarcus Cousins, the player in question, has attempted to get his school of choice to agree, in writing, to allow him out of his scholarship with no penalty should Head Coach Mike Davis leave the school for any reason.

This is quite the big deal because, though the whole scenario is, as noted by Seth Davis, still up in the air, the young man being recruited is trying to change the balance of power. In the past, the school had all the say in whether to let the athlete out of their scholarship. With Cousins actions, that imbalance may change.

Here's hoping that young DeMarcus Cousins goes down in the history of college athletics in America as some sort of minor Curt Flood. Thanks, DeMarcus!

Racism is far from dead.

The Portland Press Herald's always outstanding Bill Nemitz gives his thoughts on the recent Obama assassination poll taken by a store in Standish, a town not too far from here. Chilling in how brazen the perpetrators were.

No. Racism is far from done. And won't be in any of our lifetimes.

One of Basketball's Leading Teachers has Passed

Pete Newell, who won an NIT, NCAA, and Olympic gold medal has passed away at 93. Sports Illustrated's Alexander Wolff does the great Coach justice with this moving tribute.

A wonderful, sad book about a wonderful sad man: "The Chris Farley Show"

Here's my review at Amazon of the book, which came out about a few months ago.

It's an extremely well written book, surprisingly so, about the troubled and brilliant addict, Chris Farley, who died just before Christmas of 1997. He died of heart failure brought on by drug use and food addiction, much much too young.

Though Farley has only one good movie and a several dozen Saturday Night Live sketches to remember his on screen life by, the book interviews dozens and dozens of folks who knew him best. The authors; Chris' brother Tom Farley, Jr. and Tanner Colby, do a wonderful job of telling the WHOLE story: describing the big hearted lunk who could always make other comedians laugh and the addict who couldn't control his addictions and at the end alienated all who loved him.

Why did Farley have to die? Well, he didn't have to. He did, though. The lesson being that addiction to alcohol, drugs, even food can and will kill you much too young if left untreated. Farley had the advantages of money and fame, but the disadvantage of being so charming that he could literally get away with anything in his loved ones eyes, at least until the end.

In the end, his legacy will be controversial "Chippendales" sketch with Patrick Swayze, Matt Foley, the motivational speaker running character, and the sweet, enduring and endearing "Tommy Boy", on of my favorite buddy comedies, as well as his death due to his alcoholism and drug addiction. Hopefully, we can learn from both: how to laugh, and how to live.

Biggest Surprise in the Young NBA Season: The Knickerbockers at 6-3

I can hardly believe that the usually awful New York Knicks are having a solid beginning to their season, with six up and three down. Is there any question that Mike D'Antoni can coach the crap out of the game? He may be the best coach in the league. What is certain is that a team with a fair amount of talent now has direction and leadership from the bench. Randolph, Lee, Crawford, Duhon, etc etc are fairly gifted players and should win forty or so games this season. Fifty if the Eastern Conference is as bad as it looks thus far. Who would have thunk it just a few months ago?

This all shows exactly how awful a coach and GM that Isiah Thomas is and was. Not only did he do a poor job in Indiana, but he did an even worse job in NY. In both places, his fans claim that Thomas assembled a roster of talented young men and was not given the time to allow them to mature, but it seems to me that he simply held back those same players until real coaches like D'Antoni and Larry Bird came along. I certainly do not celebrate the recent troubles of Thomas, but let's hope that he is never again allowed a leadership position with an NBA team. His track record is abysmal.

New Bond Movie Kicks Serious Ass!

Despite lukewarm reviews, the new Bond flick, "Quantum of Solace" is terrific! I thoroughly enjoyed myself at yesterday's afternoon screening at the local megaplex. Not a great beginning, what with the usual car chase, but there has never been a better Bond than Daniel Craig. Yes, I said "Never!" Even Connery, whom I was too young to fall in love with, has nothing on the steamy Brit with the incredible body and weathered face. Great job by him.

If you want a thrilling two hours at the movies, go see "Quantum of Solace."

Let's rid ourselves of this dilemma once and for all!

The Boston Globe's Chad Finn writes an excellent piece on why Jason Varitek should be let go by the Sox. My sentiments exactly! There are comments below that say, basically, that "yes, Jason stinks, that's why we should only sign him for...oh say 10 million over two years." Do these people realize that any minor league catcher at the AAA level could have given Boston what Varitek gave them last year? Read "Baseball Prospectus" and then tell me that Varitek is someone you want on your team. I certainly would take just about any cheaper alternative to him at this point, which would allow more money to be spent on need areas of the team.

Face it, Boston sports fans: Tek was terrible last year and he ain't gonna get any better! Time to maybe be a coach, though his sizable ego may not allow for that. I always thought he was the most overrated man on the Sox, and now his numbers prove he isn't even a major league caliber catcher for anyone, let alone a team with a World Series title in their sites for next season.

Is She or isn't She? Does it Matter?

Veteran's Day is tomorrow and the woman in this article claims she is the nurse kissing a sailor in the famous end of World War II photo. There is no way to tell if it's true or not, but so what? The ex-kindergarten teacher is 90 years young, so good for her for being so persistant all these years.

Frank Rich in Sunday's New York Times

Here celebrating America and Obama's victory.

Remembering the late, great Buck O'Neil

Sports Illustrated's got a fine article this morning written by Joe Posnanski remembering Buck O'Neil, who passed away two years ago but predicted that America would have a black President before too long.

The Buffett Effect?

The NY Times Thomas Friedman makes a case that a potential Warren "Buffett Effect" may have won many white upper middle class votes for President Elect Obama on Tuesday. And he might be right...

Is Jed Lowrie the future Red Sox shortstop?

I say "Yes, please", as does The Boston Globe's Mazz. Lowrie is decent defensively and has a nice, fluid, uppercut swing. While the youngster slumped badly at the end of last year, he was good enough at the plate to warrant starting 2009 as the Sox regular shortstop, with Julio Lugo hopefully being moved elsewhere. Surely the Sox can afford to eat quite a bit of the many millions still owed over the next two years to Lugo, as the man whom GM Theo Epstein had a major man crush on for years has been a major bust in his first two seasons in Boston.

And apropos of nothing, if Theo signs that Jason Varitek for any amount of time for any amount of money, I will be A) shocked and B) greatly disappointed.

The New York Times Big Board

Here

A great night for America, and a wonderful speech by President Elect Obama.

Is something going on today? What? There is?

Here's where to get the best info on the election: The New York Times website.

This just in: Bill James says Jeter is worst fielder among all ML shortstops

Big surpise, right?

To observers of the perennially overrated Yankee captain, this ranking should come as no surprise. Jeter just has very little range, an erratic arm, and is incredibly inconsistent. But he hits. And is the emotional leader of the team.

His onbase percentage, base running, and leadership have always been why Jeter has been a good to great player throughout his career. It was never about his fielding, which, even in his youth, was mediocre. So next time some ill informed announcer gushes about what a great player Derek Jeter is, I will have a bit of evidence to back up my long held belief that the man is the single most overrated major leaguer in my lifetime.

Frank Rich of The NY Times: Obama's Campaign "(B)rilliant."

By Tuesday, around 11pm Eastern, it is widely expected that Senator Barack Obama will be President Elect of the United States. And columnist Rich declares that Obama simply outsmarted and outfought both the Clintons and the Republicans in winning this election. No kidding.

It will be a great day for this country, come Election Day. I can hardly wait!

All Souls Day: November 2

What is All Souls Day? I have no idea and am too lazy to wikipedia it.

But I do know that "All Souls" is one of the great American biographies I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Read it about six years ago in one sitting. It is the story of Michael Patrick MacDonald, a man who grew up in Southie, a tough and poor section of Boston. South Boston, to be exact. I won't descibe what is in the book beyond the fact that six years after reading it, I still have wonderful memories of crying after I had finished it and sat on my couch thinking about the beauty of the writing, the sadness and strength of the story, the shame of Southie and the entire city's protection of the Mob and Whitey Bulger for decades, the awful wasting of lives due to ignorance, alcoholism and drug abuse, racism, and flat out poverty. Please read this book if you care about Boston, the Irish experience in America, poverty, or crime.

But interestingly, the author is raked over the coals by some former Southie neighbors on the Amazon review section. Here's some of the most negative reviews. I suppose any great work of art will arouse some negativity among readers, but it was still surprising to read the hatred directed towards the auther.

Do yourself a favor and read this book, if you haven't already!