Randomly Thinking

Here are some of the things I think I think ...

- Network television is getting killed because of shows on cable like Rescue Me. It's well-written, filmed, and acted. There is a substance to the show that doesn't exist with too many other shows these days. Only a few shows on broadcast are showing signs of life because it's all reality, all the time. Five years from now, cable will be even more powerful. FX is one of the first networks to grab the entertainment angle and run.

- The Democratic Convention also demonstrated the power of cable. Without cable, you'd only have seen soundbites of Obama's speech. You'd only have seen soundbites of Sharpton's venture away from the script. And, you'd have missed Reagan's science lesson. Thankfully, Kerry got a full hour on all the networks. Otherwise, Americans would only know him through soundbites. His tough personality showed through in his speech, although I think he was too concerned with the clock and wrapping before the 11 o'clock news. It should be an interesting fall - although I don't think Kerry will win.

- I saw Ricky Williams last night. He was at Taco Bell. He had the munchies.

- New category: Lovie Smith Headline of the Blog. Calling on my former duties as a copy editor, I can't pass up the chance to come up with great headlines for the new Chicago Bears head coach. You know, old George Halas is rolling in his grave because his heirs hired a head coach named Lovie.

First Headline (as the arrive at training camp not in Platteville): When Lovie Come To Town ... an homage to U2's record on the Rattle and Hum album

- Baseball playoff predictions: American League: Yankees, White Sox, A's ... Wild Card: Red Sox. National League: Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers. Wild Card: Giants. ALCS: A's v. Red Sox. NLCS: Dodgers v. Giants. World Series: Giants v. Red Sox. Winner: Giants.

Here are some random thoughts as I watch Roger Clemens pitch ...

- Lance Armstrong wins his sixth Tour de France.  He's an incredible athlete.  How horrible would it be if a bag of needles shows up with his name on them?

- Eddie George is the perfect fit for the Dallas Cowboys.  I've always loved the Cowboys and this might be their ticket to stay competitive with the Eagles.  No, he's not the back he was when the Titans were the Oilers, but he'll move the chains and that's what the Tuna loves.

- Jeff Bagwell just struck out with one out and two runners on base.  It's been the common theme for his season.  His shoulder is shot.  He throws like a girl.  It's time for Bagwell to think about a condo in Florida - retirement is coming.

- Ricky Williams is a whack.  He was weird when he was at the University of Texas and the voodoo got to him in New Orleans.  Now, he's lost his mind.  It's not the retirement.  He's got plenty of money.  It's the timing.  He let down a team.  He better check his prescription.  I think it's run out.

- College football and pro football are just around the corner.  I can't wait. 

Early predictions: NFC Playoffs: Philadelphia, Minnesota, Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas (wc), Tampa Bay (wc).  AFC Playoffs: New England, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Denver, KC (wc), Jacksonville (wc).  Super Bowl: New England v. Philadelphia.  Philadelphia wins.  NFL worries because the Jacksonville is the Super Bowl host and home field advantage in the Super Bowl wouldn't be kosher.

College Picks: Big Ten - Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, Purdue in bowls.  Watch for NU to pull a couple upsets.  Big 12 - Oklahoma beats Texas.  Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma beats Nebraska.  Kansas State is mediorce.  Upset of the year in the Big 12: Missouri over Texas at DKR Memorial Stadium; Oklahoma loses to Nebraska during the regular season; Texas A&M revenges last year's defeat against the Sooners.

- Is there any better rivalry in sports than Red Sox v. Yankees?

That's all for now.

The Astros begin tomorrow night ... At least they begin the Phil Garner era ...
 
Let's take an inventory as they begin again:
 
11 games out of first place.
 
St. Louis running away with the NL Central.  Nobody thought of that in March.
 
Cubs get Wood and Prior (maybe) healthy.  Maddux is a factor, but not everytime he hits the mound - maybe 2 of every 3 times.  He's getting a little less effective in his old age.
 
Cincinnati and Milwaukee will crater or at least come back to Earth.
 
So, now the Astros can make a run and there is no better place to start than the post-break stretch of 11 home games in their next 14. 
 
They can reset the rotation with Andy, Roy, and Roger before the minor leaguers take the mound. 
 
Beltran, Berkman, and Kent can hit. 
 
Bagwell can take a seat and let clubhouse leadership matriculate to someone else.
 
Biggio can keep up the hardwork.
 
Ausmus can go away.  He's supposed to be a great catcher for the pitchers - what about Redding?  Miller?
 
It's probably a pipe dream that they'll win the wild card. 
 
Real predictions: Beltran is gone by July 31.  So is Kent as the Astros are gone from the race by the 27th. 
 
Roger returns for another year because it's too much fun to play at home and be an ambassador for the game in your hometown.
 
On the Garner issue, I liked him when he was in Milwaukee.  That's when I lived there and he had nothing to work with.  He came to the park everyday and tried to make something happen.  With the old Brewers organization, that was a challenge because the talent was limited.  Detroit was a joke of an organization when he was there.  The owner cared more about the Red Wings at that point.  So, it'll be interesting to see what Garner can do with this talent.
 
Other sports thoughts for the week:
 
Lance won't win the Tour de France.  He's been hanging around S. Crow too much. 
 
Tiger won't win the British.  Again, it's a woman's fault. 
 
NASCAR is taking the weekend off so Tony Stewart can decide who to rear end. 
 
Kobe should have gone to the Clippers - what a great story that would have been.
 
MLS, NHL, and Arena Football?  Anybody heard from them lately?
 
Did the All-Star game seem like it ended on Thursday?  Wow - that was slow.  AND, I love Ali, except - why have the guy throw the first pitch when it's obvious he can't throw?  Isn't there a better way to honor him?  And the Houston connection is a big stretch. 
 
Lastly - what's the anti-doping committee and how do you become a member?
 
That's all for now.

Just got back from a weekend getaway to the Grand Coushatta Casino in Louisiana. It lists itself in Kinder, but it's really Native American land.

It was a nice place to gamble, but probably not somewhere to go again.

For starters, I lowered the median age in the casino by 4 years just by walking into the place.

Then, it seemed like Wal-Mart to me - people of all kinds: races, ages, sexes, backgrounds, socio-economic levels.

Also, there seemed to be more money bet in LA than in LV if you know what I mean.

Finally, for the politics, everyone there was from Houston and the surrounding area. So, these Houston people were spending all their cash across the state line, putting money into the Louisiana treasury and the Coushatta tribes pockets. At the same time, Texas is cutting programs for children's health insurance, police patrols, and drug abuse prevention.

Sounds like there's a simple fix to this problem, eh? Legalize gambling in Texas. None of the money goes to Louisiana anymore - or not as much. Imagine the impact of the Galveston economy if the state legislature allowed the Landry's Corporation to open a casino near the San Luis. But, no ... the devil is in the gaming. So, the Houston metropolitan area sends buses to LA everyday ... Dallas does the same for Shreveport ... And, children go without dental care or immunizations.

Being pragmatic, now I need to offer a solution ... write your representative ... Ask why the state allows LA to benefit from Houstonians entertainment dollars ... If they can't give you an answer or use the standard party lines - casinos bring a multitude of problems to the area and society - remind them about the economic impact on the area - jobs, taxes, new facilities like restaurants and hotels - that's just for starters.

Yes, there are problem gamblers. But, we also have problem drinkers and you can still buy beer at Diamond Shamrock ...

That's all for now.

This is my first post. It's a test.

I'll write about everything: sports, culture, music, politics, news, comedy, and the other timely topics of the world.

Soon - thoughts on summer reading, politics, sports (Astros suck - trade Beltran), and much more ... Stay tuned ...
 
That's all for now ...