Good for Bob !

Great story from USA Today about Bob Dylan's trip to the Obama White House. Click on the title for a link. Hint....,Bob did not have his picture taken with the President.

Funny Political Ad on "Princess" Lisa Murkowski

This is a very funny ad at the expense of Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski. She was originally appointed by her dad, then Alaska Governor, Frank Murkowski, to her U.S. Senate seat from Alaska. She was then elected by the voters of Alaska to another term but then lost the Republican primary for another term. Now after losing the primary she is mounting a write in campaign for the fall general election. Shame on the Senate Republicans for refusing to strip her of her committee assignment and leadership after she decided to launch a write in campaign against the Republican nominee.

Barak Obama the Narcissist

From Webster's Online Dictionary:

Typical traits of a narcissist

The following traits are commonly found in narcissists:

The narcissist feels the need to have a lot of attention, adulation, admiration or subservience from others.

The narcissist is preoccupied with himself/herself, his/her preferences, needs and aspirations and with his/her fantasies of unlimited success.

The narcissist appears to be devoid of empathy (although it is sometimes suggested that the narcissist can, to some extent, empathise with other narcissists).

The narcissist is inclined to lie or deceive.

The narcissist often criticizes others, sometimes to the extent of damaging their reputation.

The narcissist often behaves very differently in public situations from private situations (i.e. his or her public persona is very different from his or her private persona).

The public persona is typically very charming (perhaps designed to generate admiration) while the private persona can appear to be quite aggressive.

Most people only witness the public persona and do not see the private persona, and therefore have a very distorted perception of the narcissist's true character.

A narcissist is generally an adult; between a half and three-quarters of narcissists are men, the rest being women.

While a narcissist might criticize others the narcissist strongly dislikes to be criticized by others.

While a narcissist might interrupt others in conversation the narcissist strongly dislikes to be interrupted by others.

A narcissist feels entitled to special privileges.

While a narcissist will often ask favors of others, he or she will feel no obligation to return favors and may strongly dislike it when others ask too many favors of the narcissist.

A narcissist will often expect others to fit in with the narcissist's plans.

Some narcissists may try to modify the plans of others, but will often use charm to obtain the necessary consent to change their plans.

The narcissist reacts badly when any aspect of his/her freedom is threatened or when his/her plans are thwarted.
........

That really describes our President!

To read more about Narcissist click on the title for a link

Liberals say the Darndest things

Obama: Fox News is 'destructive' to America. From CNN a competitor of FOX NEWS:

Fox News pushes "a point of view that I disagree with. It's a point of view that I think is ultimately destructive for the long-term growth of a country that has a vibrant middle class and is competitive in the world," Obama said.

CNN is quoting President Obama from a Rolling Stones interview. No, Fox news is not destructive to America just to President Obama who is doing a good job of that himself. He has completely misread his mandate to bring us together and lead from the middle. He seems to think he IS America. It's the narcissist in him. I didn't think he could beat his "They treat me like a dog" comment but this is real close.

Click on the title for a link to the CNN article

"Generals Revolt" & Thinking Ahead

Former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Jed Babbin has written an interesting article on Bob Woodward's new book and the implications for the future:

How has President Obama mismanaged the Afghanistan war? Bob Woodward's new book counts the ways. There's a president retreating after a "generals' revolt," domestic politics overriding any concern with the war's outcome and -- according to the leaked portions of the book due out today -- much more.

Regardless of how the 2010 elections turn here is a prdiction on what happens next according to Jed Babbin:

The 2010 election will be decided entirely on economic and personal issues. But in 26 months, we will choose a president again. By then, Iraq will have failed, Afghanistan will be irretrievably lost, and Iran may have achieved its nuclear weapons ambitions. Republicans would be wise to focus it on Obama's wars and his irresponsible, narcissistic approach to them.

Is there a war president-in-waiting out there? On November 3, one should step forward boldly.

Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies.

To read the rest click on the title for a link.

As if the economy wasn't a big enough problem!

Game Day In Eugene !

The Oregon Duck game against Stanford has been moved from 8:15PM PDT to 5 PM so folks on the East Coast can see the game on ABC/ESPN and ESPN's "Game Day" crew will be there Saturday morning. Go Ducks Beat the Cardinal.

That was an ugly and very looong game last night in the desert against Arizona State . It ended after 11 pm on the West Coast and was played in 100 degree weather. The Ducks won 42 to 31.

Political Violence in Oregon ?

I found this video over at National Review Online. Watch it and reach your own conclusions. Interesting to see if the "main stream media" will pick it up?

The real issue here is why former Governor Kitzhaber, who is the Democrat candidate to be governor again, would appear at an advertised public event that would prohibit the video taping of the event! What is he hiding or why would he tolerate it. Does he change his message according to his audience.?

GOP PLEDGE TO AMERICA

A PLEDGE TO AMERICA

A PLAN TO CREATE JOBS, END ECONOMIC
UNCERTAINTY & MAKE AMERICA MORE
COMPETITIVE

• We will end the uncertainty and create incentives for
job growth with a plan to:
o Permanently stop all job-killing tax hikes
o Give small businesses a tax deduction equal to
20% of their business income
• We will establish regulatory certainty with a plan to:
o Rein in the red tape factory in Washington D.C.
and require Congress to approve any new
regulation that would harm job creation or the
economy
o Repeal job-killing small business mandates like
the new 1099 paperwork rules imposed on small
businesses

A PLAN TO STOP OUT OF CONTROL SPENDING &
REDUCE THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT

• We will put government on a path to a balanced
budget and pay down the debt with a plan to:
o Act immediately to reduce spending by cancelling
unspent stimulus funds
o Cut government spending to pre-stimulus, prebailout
levels saving at least $100 billion in the
first year alone
o Establish a hard cap on new discretionary
spending
o Cut Congress’ budget
o Hold weekly votes on spending cuts
• We will reduce the size of government with a plan to:
o End TARP once and for all
o End government control of Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac
o Impose a net federal hiring freeze on non-security
employees
o Root out government waste and sunset outdated
and duplicative programs
• We will reform the budget process to focus on longterm
challenges

A PLAN TO REPEAL & REPLACE THE
GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE

• We will repeal the job-killing health care law
• We will replace it with real reforms, with a plan to:
o Enact medical liability reform
o Grant consumers the freedom to purchase
coverage across state lines
o Expand Health Savings Accounts
o Strengthen the doctor-patient relationship
o Ensure access for those with pre-existing
conditions
• We will permanently prohibit taxpayer funding of
abortion

A PLAN TO REFORM CONGRESS & RESTORE
TRUST

• We will “read the bill” and require legislation be
publicly available at least 3 days before voting on it
• We will adhere to the Constitution and require every
bill to cite its specific Constitutional Authority
• We will ensure an open and bipartisan debate on all
spending bills
• We will advance legislative issues one at a time and
end the practice of massive bills that address
unrelated issues

A PLAN TO KEEP OUR NATION SECURE AT
HOME & ABROAD

• We will continue to lead the fight against terrorism
with a plan to:
o Pass clean troop funding bills and provide the
necessary resources and support to our military
o Keep terrorists out of America
o Enact an overarching detention policy for
terrorist combatants
• We will protect our homeland and support our allies
with a plan to:
o Fully fund missile defense
o Require tough enforcement of sanctions against
Iran
• We will secure our borders with strong enforcement
of the law with a plan to:
o Establish operational control of the border
o Work with state and local officials to enforce our
immigration laws
o Strengthen visa security
We will uphold our principles and fight for
America’s priorities
• We will fight to ensure transparency and
accountability in Congress and throughout
government
• We will continue to fight the growth of government
and oppose new stimulus spending that only puts our
nation further in debt
• We will fight efforts to fund the costly new health
care law
• We will fight to increase access to domestic energy
sources and oppose attempts to impose a national
“cap and trade” energy tax
• We will fight for the rights of workers and oppose
“card check” schemes that put union bosses before an
individual’s right to a secret ballot
• We will fight efforts to use a national crisis for
political gain
pledge.GOP.gov

CLICK ON TITLE FOR A LINK TO THE DETAILS OF THE PLEDGE

Mort Zuckerman:"home ownership has turned into a nightmare "

The death of an American dream for the middle class!

Why has housing been such a core element in the story of American civilization?

Culturally a decent house has been a symbol of middle-class family life. Practically, it has been a secure shelter for the children, along with access to a good free education. Financially it has been regarded as a safe store of value, a shield against the vagaries of the economy, and a long-term retirement asset. Indeed, for decades, a house has been the largest asset on the balance sheet of the average American family.....

These days the American dream of home ownership has turned into a nightmare for millions of families....

Click on the title for a link to the entire article.

A GOP PLEDGE TO AMERICA

Put a check on his spending power !

Today the Republicans in Congress released their Pledge to America:

America is more than a country.

America is an idea – an idea that free people can govern themselves, that government’s powers are derived from the consent of the governed, that each of us is endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. America is the belief that any man or woman can – given economic, political, and religious liberty – advance themselves, their families, and the common good.

America is an inspiration to those who yearn to be free and have the ability and the dignity to determine their own destiny.
Whenever the agenda of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to institute a new governing agenda and set a different course.
These first principles were proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, enshrined in the Constitution, and have endured through hard sacrifice and commitment by generations of Americans. In a self-governing society, the only bulwark against the power of the state is the consent of the governed, and regarding the policies of the current government, the governed do not consent.
An unchecked executive, a compliant legislature, and an overreaching judiciary have combined to thwart the will of the people and overturn their votes and their values, striking down long-standing laws and institutions and scorning the deepest beliefs of the American people.

An arrogant and out-of-touch government of self-appointed elites makes decisions, issues mandates, and enacts laws without accepting or requesting the input of the many.

Rising joblessness, crushing debt, and a polarizing political environment are fraying the bonds among our people and blurring our sense of national purpose. Like free peoples of the past, our citizens refuse to accommodate a government that believes it can replace the will of the people with its own. The American people are speaking out, demanding that we realign our country’s compass with its founding principles and apply those principles to solve our common problems for the common good. The need for urgent action to repair our economy and reclaim our government for the people cannot be overstated. With this document, we pledge to dedicate ourselves to the task of reconnecting our highest aspirations to the permanent truths of our founding by keeping faith with the values our nation was founded on, the principles we stand for, and the priorities of our people. This is our Pledge to America.

We pledge to honor the Constitution as constructed by its framers and honor the original intent of those precepts that have been consistently ignored – particularly the Tenth Amendment, which grants that all powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

We pledge to advance policies that promote greater liberty, wider opportunity, a robust defense, and national economic prosperity. We pledge to honor families, traditional marriage, life, and the private and faith-based organizations that form the core of our American values.

We pledge to make government more transparent in its actions, careful in its stewardship, and honest in its dealings.

We pledge to uphold the purpose and promise of a better America, knowing that to whom much is given, much is expected and that the blessings of our liberty buoy the hopes of mankind.

We make this pledge bearing true faith and allegiance to the people we represent, and we invite fellow citizens and patriots to join us in forming a new governing agenda for America.

FORWARD

Americans need no reminder that the challenges we face are enormous. Our economy has declined and our debt has mushroomed with the loss of millions of jobs. The social fabric that binds us as citizens, families, and communities is unraveling. Voices in and out of government whisper that our standing as the world’s leader of democracy and economic growth is ending.

The American people do not accept these counsels of timidity, failure, and despair. In town halls and on public squares, in every corner of this country, people have gathered and spoken out – in small groups and larger crowds, through phone calls and in letters, through websites and new technologies. Though these petitions come from different walks, their message is uniform: Washington has not been listening. Politicians in Washington have imposed an agenda that doesn’t reflect the priorities of the people. What’s worse, the most important decisions are made behind closed doors, where a flurry of backroom deals has supplanted the will of the people. It’s time to do away with the old politics: that much is clear. It’s not enough, however, to swap out one set of leaders for another. Structure dictates behavior, so we have drafted this blueprint on a process of listening to the American people and fielding their concerns and ideas for turning things around.

• Our plan offers a clear and clearly different approach, one in which the people have the most say and the best ideas trump the most entrenched interests.

• Our plan stands on the principles of smaller, more accountable government; economic freedom; lower taxes; fiscal responsibility; protecting life, American values, and the Constitution; and providing for a robust national defense.

• Our plan puts forth a new governing agenda that reflects the priorities of the American people – priorities that have been ignored, even mocked by the powers-that-be in Washington.

• These are focused concrete examples of the policies through which we will promote greater liberty, wider opportunity, and national economic recovery – and they can be implemented today.

To read the rest click on the title for a link. Elections have consequences we have learned that in the last two years !

Morning in America vs. Mourning in America

Then: Morning in America Again with Ronald Reagan



And Now: Mourning in America with Barack Obama

President Obama:“I can’t let this be a war without end, and I can’t lose the whole Democratic Party.”

From today's New York Times in a report of Bob Woodward's new book "Obama's Wars" :

Mr. Obama’s struggle with the decision comes through in a conversation with Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who asked if his deadline to begin withdrawal in July 2011 (from Afghanistan) was firm. “I have to say that,” Mr. Obama replied. “I can’t let this be a war without end, and I can’t lose the whole Democratic Party.”

The president concluded from the start that “I have two years with the public on this” and pressed advisers for ways to avoid a big escalation, the book says. “I want an exit strategy,” he implored at one meeting. Privately, he told Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to push his alternative strategy opposing a big troop buildup in meetings, and while Mr. Obama ultimately rejected it, he set a withdrawal timetable because, “I can’t lose the whole Democratic Party.”

How can he send American boys into battle in Afghanistan and ask them to risk their lives for an artificial deadline with no prospect of succeeding based upon domestic political considerations ? This man has no honor !

(Click on the title for a link to the New York Times story)

Goodby" Foyles War"

Last night I watched the last show of the British TV series "Foyles War". Thanks to my Netflix account and the Jackson County Library I have this summer watched all 7 seasons of the show ending with "The Hide" episode last night. The end left me wanting more as the now retired Detective Foyle left for "unfinished business" in the United States. In addition, the script writer left us hanging on whether Foyle was the father of a World War II British Spy who he may have fathered as a young man near the end of World War I with a married nurse while he was recovering from his war injuries.? I hope there is a season 8 ? Watching the last show was like saying goodbye to an old friend.

Devastating just Devastating !

From the New York Times, yes, the New York Times:

"I’m exhausted of defending you, defending your administration, defending the mantle of change that I voted for,” said the first questioner, an African-American woman who identified herself as a chief financial officer, a mother and a military veteran. “I’ve been told that I voted for a man who was going to change things in a meaningful way for the middle class and I’m waiting sir, I’m waiting. I still don’t feel it yet.”

Click on the title for the full New York Times article

DVD: "Chasing Churchill in Search of my Grandfather"

Last night I watched this DVD documentary, through my Netflix account, and it is very good. The DVD is three hours long. Within the last 2 or 3 years his granddaughter, Celia Sandys, followed in the footsteps of her grandfather and his overseas travels. The documentary follows her in Winston's footsteps to New York, Washington DC, Cuba, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco the South of France in search of her grandfather. A kind of then and now with beautiful color photography. There is a voice over of Churchill giving a description of the places you are seeing in this part travelogue part documentary. She goes to the Hearst Castle on the California coast and to Charlie Chaplin's studio in Hollywood.Churchill was a friend of Chaplin's and visited his studio between the great wars to see how movie were made. They have news footage and photos of Churchill at the locations visited. They also show his paintings and then show the real subjects as they look now. You follow Churchill and his friend, Lawrence of Arabia, as they ride on camels to the Great Pyramids. One of the best parts is when she visits Rudy Giuliani in New York and Rudy tells her that Winston was his inspiration during 9/11.While in New York she goes to the Brooklyn home where his mother was born. She talks to people who interacted with her father at the various locations of his travel. For example, she visits with an old lady in Alexandria Virginia, at the old church where Churchill and FDR went for a church service during WWII. The old lady was there for the service and explains what it was like. In his later life his granddaughter, then a teenager, traveled with her grandfather on his trips to Southern France as well as on a luxurious yacht owned by Aristotle Onassis. In fact, they even film part of the documentary on the yacht. The documentary ends with his state funeral in London.... it is very sad as Sandys rides the same boat that carried his casket down the Themes river on the way to the churchyard cemetery at Bladon near Blenheim Palace his ancestral home .



From Amazon.com:

Winston Churchill's quest for his inner self took two forms: a constant thirst for exotic travel and a passion for the exuberance of painting and the beauty of words. His granddaughter Celia Sandys traveled extensively with Churchill towards the end of his life. Now, in this intimate portrait, she follows in her grandfather's footsteps.

click on the title for a link to Amazon.com to order the DVD

The Duck Fan

On the bridge to "Camelot" Labor Day weekend.



Two weeks later.....not a "sunshine" fan.... "and it never rains in Autzen Stadium"!

Friday Night Lights: 25th "Black & Blue Bowl......"UPDATE: South wins

The 25th annual "BLACK & BLUE BOWL" TONIGHT !

Tonight at Spieglberg Stadium will be the cross town high school football game between the South Medford Panthers and the North Medford Black Tornado.
Football has always been big in Medford. Before they split the town into two high schools the Medford Black Tornado were a perennial powerhouse in the state of Oregon. It was sometimes referred to as "The University of Medford." When I first came to town in the 1970's there was still only one high school and I had a difficult time identifying with the Black Tornado. I had grown up in the Coos Bay/ North Bend area and had a strong dislike for the Black Tornado as a result of everything from football to their debate team. Therefore, I was happy to see the school split. I was even happier, when I discovered that we lived in a area on the east side of Medford where my kids were on track to go to South Medford. Therefore from the time the kids were in grade school we made a practice of going to South Medford football and basketball games. The kids are long gone into the adult world but my wife and I still have season tickets for South Medford football and basketball. When the school was spit North Medford took the the records, mascot, and for some, the arrogance of the Medford Black Tornado! About the time my kids were ready to go to high school South Medford had developed a reputation on the east side of Medford as the "poor school" and many east side parents played games on where they lived in order to get their kids into North Medford. The dividing line runs east to west but the North Medford district on the more prosperous east side grew faster with new subdivisions than did the east side south of the dividing line.. There were reports that some real estate agents warned parents about buying homes in the South Medford area. We refused to play games and our kids went to South and each got a very good education from very caring teachers.Don't get me wrong, North Medford is a good school with good parents and kids and the old divisions seem to be disappearing.We are lucky to live in a community where there are good schools that give it's students many opportunities in sports as well as academics.

Since the split South has been the dominate basketball school and North the dominate football school although South football has been catching up.

Since the split 25 years ago South Medford has won 10 Black & Blue Bowls and North Medford has won 14.

Both teams play their home games at Speiglberg Stadium. This year, South Medford will be the home team for the Black & Blue Bowl, so we will be able to sit in our reserved seats. The North Medford fans will be required to move across to the other side of the stadium to the visitors section.

GO SOUTH!

(Click on the title for a link to a Mail Tribue story on the history of the 'Black & Blue Bowl")

UPDATE: South Medford won their fourth "Black & Blue Bowl" in a row 31 to 7. Go South!

Constitution Day, September 17, 2010

The Constitution of the United States

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.....

My favorite provision of the Constitution is the 10th Amendment and part of the Bill of Rights:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Yes, to the "PEOPLE"!

"New Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens brings well-earned understanding of a dollar to the Ducks"

In the past, on this blog, I have given Oregonian newspaper reporter, Rachel Bachman, a bad time for her anti Phil Knight reports on the Oregon Ducks. However, in today's Oregonian she has a well researched report on new Oregon Athletic Director, Jay Mullens, that has information not previously reported. I particularly like the part, when he was a young child from a family with meager resources in West Virginia, and his desire for a pair of Nike shoes.

I must give credit when credit is due, even to Rachel Bachman.

Click on the title for a link.

Game report from the Oregon/Tennessee Game.

As I have already posted here that our adult children attended the Oregon vs. Tennessee football game in Knoxville Tennessee and endured a thunder and lightning storm that delayed the game for about 70 minutes during the 1st Quarter. With our son's permission here is his summery of their trip to Knoxville.

Thought I would give a little flavor of the Oregon-Tennessee fan experience:

Walking around Knoxville it sure seemed like there were more Duck fans there than could be observed in the stands (although our numbers may have been deceptive based on how we were seated). At our hotel (Holiday Inn) in Knoxville the place was largely filled with Duck fans (and a few Tennessee fans). On Friday night there were quite a few Duck fans around campus and at Calhouns. Heard a lot of good things about the restaurant before hand, and the place exceeded its reputation. I normally hate cole-slaw, but the cole-slaw at Calhouns made me really love it. Everything I tasted on their menu was beyond good. Oregon fans were all over the place, and because the crowded line in the bathroom was exclusively made up of Duck fans, one observed it was almost like being at Autzen. However, the number of Ducks were deceptive as most Tennessee fans were probably engaged in their normal Friday night routine while the visiting Ducks were hitting all the major “to do” things in Knoxville.

Almost all the Tennessee fans we encountered were exceedingly nice and friendly—a lot of Southern hospitality. It probably helped that we weren’t an SEC or U$C fan base. Some of the ticket scalpers dressed in Tennessee gear expressed some jealousy about my yellow Barner jersey. I heard another Tennessee fan (female in her 40s) I overheard mention that she really liked the Oregon yellow as I passed by in my jersey. And, in one of the more interesting images of game day, I saw two parents dressed in Tennessee gear and a little kid (that looked like their son) dressed in a Duck jersey. While we were perched way up on one of the stadium ramps we were able to look down as the Oregon Duck was entering the stadium. Two young kids in Tennessee gear went running after him to offer high fives. Thank God Disney gave Oregon the full rights to the Duck, his exposure on ESPN is making him a nation-wide star!

While the Tennessee fans on the whole were very nice, there was one fan who was kind of obnoxious telling us that “this isn’t the pac-10” before the game, suggesting that Oregon didn’t know what it was in for having played in an easier conference. During the game Tennessee fans would chant “SEC” to show their pride in their conference (in the last minute of the game Duck fans chanted “SEC” in a bit of friendly jesting). Also, Tennessee fans would cheer fairly loud for their team when they gained only a yard or two, a lot of Duck fans around me noticed and found that strange.

As for the thunderstorm delay, I think that worked in Oregon’s favor. It allowed Oregon to analyze Tennessee’s two offensive series allowing the coaches to go over X’s and O’s on defense since Oregon wasn’t sure what their full package would be going into the game. (Obviously it didn’t help us with their defensive scheme, but at least they didn’t see our full offensive package). As for the fan experience during the rain delay, we were up at the very top of the stadium corner, and the logjam going into the tunnel was almost exactly like the Rose Bowl. In fact, the tunnel areas seemed like they were even narrower than the Rose Bowl (although the view of the field was a vast improvement since we had a better angle looking down and could actually see what was happening on a play). Ultimately we ended up pulling on ponchos on, putting our heads down and ridding out the worst of the rain storm (despite the wettest down pour ever experienced during a game, we stayed remarkably dry, only our feet got soaked). When the lightening got really bad, intense and close, we moved down along the bleachers (the steps were still clogged all the way to the top), in order to avoid the most dangerous area of the stands. Finally, when the rain stopped pouring the hardest, the tunnels were clear enough for us to work our way through. When play was set to resume we had another Rose Bowl moment getting back into our seats. Yet, all in all it was a very fun experience. The first quarter and a half were very scary (and I’m not talking about the weather). The final part of the half made things exciting, and the second half made things fun. This game gave the Oregon spectator the full spectrum of feelings one can experience during a game, which is really what college football is all about. GO DUCKS!!

The Ducks won 48 to 13 in front of 103,000 people. Both kids made it to their homes safely on Sunday and called us with their reports on the game. I love it that they were able to experience this trip together. It will go down in family history along their trips to Michigan and Purdue a few years ago; or when our son was age 6 the two of us experienced a sub 0 wind chill factor when he and I went to Oregon's first Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. in December of 1989; or the game our daughter and I had when we witnessed "The Pick" against the Washington in 1994; or the 2001 Fiesta Bowl win against Colorado on another father/son trip . These are all family experiences we will not soon forget.In the end it's all about family. Next up Portland State in Eugene next Saturday. My wife and I will be there. Just win the day. Go Ducks!

Rocky Flop Tennessee

Oregon Duck beat Tennessee Volunteers 48 to 13 in Tennessee before 102,000 fans . Way to go Ducks!

There was a thunder and lightning storm that hit and interrupted the 1st quarter for 70 minutes. Lightning hit all around the stadium and the 102,000 fans were ask to leave the stadium until the storm was over and the game resumed.

Let's Go Ducks !

Oregon Ducks vs. Tennessee Volunteers

This Saturday my Oregon Ducks will play a football game against the Tennessee Volunteers at their stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The game will be broadcast on ESPN TV. I won't be able to make it back to Tennessee but the Wickre family will be well represented by our two adult children. I was able to get tickets for them through the University of Oregon Athletic department. Our daughter will be driving from her home in Washington DC and our son will be driving down from Lexington, Kentucky where he lives while a grad student at the University of Kentucky. In the past few years they have been able to meet and go to Oregon games at Michigan against the Wolverines and against the Purdue Boilermakers in Indiana. I might add that Oregon won both of those prior games so I hope their good luck continues.Both have graduated from other colleges but they were raised as Duck fans and Duck fans they are. My wife and I will be watching the game on ESPN and will be looking for the kids on TV. Tennessee has the third largest stadium in the country. Go Ducks!

UPDATE: Just got a call from the kids and they both arrived safely in Knoxville. Cheer extra loud for me. Go Ducks!

UPDATE 2: GAME DAY ...... LET'S GO DUCKS!



UPDATE 3:
A Duck in Tennessee getting ready for the game. Go Ducks!

New Blu-ray Set: "America Lost and Found"

On November 23, 2010 there will be a Criterion Blu-ray DVD release of 7 movies in a set called "America Lost and Found." The movies all theatrically released in the late 1960's and early 1970's are examples of "counterculture" movies of that period. The movies are: "Easy Rider","Head","Five Easy Pieces", "Drive He Said", "The Last Picture Show", "A Safe Place" and "The King of Marvin Gardens". I already own DVD's of "Easy Rider", "Five Easy Pieces" and "The Last Picture Show" but it will be nice to have them on blu-ray.

The one movie I am most excited about is "Drive He Said" directed by Jack Nicholson AND filmed at the University of Oregon, Eugene and Mac Court. The move is about a college basketball player who suffers from the stress of playing college basketball and the turbulent 60's. Nicholson does not star in the movie but directed it in Eugene after he had stared in "Five Easy Pieces" in which the famous restaurant scene, where he gets in an argument with a waitress, was filmed at the Denny's on I-5 just south of Eugene.

I saw "Drive He Said" at a theater in Eugene while I was in law school and loved it. It's been on my wish list, for years, of movies I want released on DVD and now it is coming out on Blu-ray just in time for Christmas ! I just put it on my Amazon "wish list."

Click on the title for more on this Blu-ray DVD set.

Liberals say the darndest things !

A new regular feature on this blog will be "Liberals say the darndest things!" Each time I find a liberal saying something funny, stupid or outrageous I will post it here. The very first quote will come from Cynthia Tucker the Liberal Pulitzer Prize columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. On Chris Matthews Show this weekend she said:

"We haven't talked about the elephant in the room, and I don't mean the Republicans: race. Changing demographics. Fear of a white minority."

"Obama's election has suddenly made many white Americans aware of the loss of a white majority. That's what this crazy summer has been all about"

Sorry Cynthia, the "race card" doesn't work anymore and will not silence us! Have your ever heard of the boy who cried wolf? We are not racist, we are not violent but we are silent no more.

Click on the title for a video of the quote.

Read Koran.... Don't Burn It !

The American pastor in Florida has a constitutional right to burn a copy of the Koran that he owns; just as the imam in New York has a right to build a mosque next to Ground Zero on property that he owns. However, both should exercise restraint and good sense and seek to advance their religion in less confrontational ways. Both acts are figuratively speaking " a poke in the eye" to Americans/Muslims. Michelle Malkin suggest reading the Koran is a better way to understand the dangers of those who insist upon a literal reading of the Koran. Click on the title for a link.

Volunteer fan calling out the Oregon Ducks

A Tennessee Volunteer calling out the Oregon Duck Football Team and in fact the entire state of Oregon. If this doesn't get the Ducks ready for the Tennessee Volunteers nothing will. Some one called him our "Deliverance" motivational speaker. WARNING: this guy seems to like the "F Bomb" a lot ! Go DUCKS !

President Obama:“They talk about me like a dog"

Yes, our President really did say it! I saw the headline on the Internet and didn't believe till I saw the video. Click on the title for a link. We are in a deep recession with thousands of Americana's unemployed and deep in debt but to the President it's all about him. What a narcissist!

Good Weekend !

It was a good weekend for this football fan.

In high school football my North Bend Bulldogs beat the Marshfild Pirates for the first time in 20 years. Also, the South Medford Panthers beat South Salem in a game my wife and I attended here in Medford.It was the Panthers first game of the season and it was fun seeing all the people who sit around us at South Medford games season to season.

In college football my Oregon Ducks beat the University of New Mexico 72 to 0. We drove up to Eugene for the game and it was a nice day. We both got a little sunburned but loved watching the Ducks and being with 59,000 other Duck fans in a very festive atmosphere.I got to show my wife the new baseball park ( P.K. Park) next to Autzen Stadium and we had hamburgers there before the game. We left Medford about 8 am and got home about 9 pm.

In addition our son's University of Kentucky team won and the hated Oregon State Beavers and Washington Huskies lost.

Now, I have to do some painting on the outside of our house.

Thanks U of O Athletics !!!!!!!

GREAT NEWS FOR OREGON DUCK FANS IN SOUTHERN OREGON!!!!!!!! This press release from the University of Oregon was released tonight:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 2, 2010

OREGON SPORTS NETWORK BRINGS LIVE DUCKS’ FOOTBALL TO SOUTHERN OREGON

EUGENE – An agreement has been finalized that will provide live over-the-air television coverage of the Ducks’ Sept. 4 and Sept. 18 football games to all markets in the Southern Oregon viewing area, according to an announcement by the University of Oregon Athletics Department and Comcast SportsNet Northwest.

Oregon and it’s multimedia rights holder, IMG College, worked with Fox Sports Net, the Pacific-10 Conference and Comcast SportsNet NW to deliver the Oregon Sports Network’s live game coverage of Saturday’s game vs. New Mexico, as well as the Ducks’ Sept. 18 home game vs. Portland State, via KFBI-TV in Mediford and Klamath Falls. The expanded viewership of these two games will provide over-the-air viewing coverage throughout all of Southern Oregon.

Kickoff for the Ducks’ season opener Saturday is 12:30 p.m.

KFBI-My 48 provides coverage throughout all of Jackson and Josephine counties on channel 48, as well as Klamath County on channel 41. In addition the coverage reaches Medford, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Brookings-Harbor and Gold Beach via Charter Cable, and also will be carried on Dish Network and DirecTV.

This arrangement will expand the coverage of the Ducks’ two Comcast SportsNet live football telecasts to reach all of the state of Oregon.

“This represents a culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people which we feel will be a win-win proposition on multiple fronts,” Oregon Athletics Director Rob Mullens said Thursday. “We’re specifically appreciative of the efforts of Fox Sports Net, as well as the cooperation from the Pacific-10 Conference, Comcast SportsNet and IMG College.

“But we’re most happy for our many dedicated Oregon fans in Medford and Klamath Falls, as well as all of Southern Oregon, who have displayed patience and have remained loyal Ducks fans throughout the years.”

–

I don't want to sound ungracious but does this include basketball this winter and the coaches shows and the replays???? I guess time will tell but a big thanks to
Rob Mullens our new Athletic Director from Duck fans in Southern Oregon. Go Ducks!

3 Days Till Oregon's First Football Game of the 2010 Season

The Oregon Ducks will play New Mexico on Saturday September 4th at 12:30 PM ( Labor Day Weekend) in Autzen Stadium in Eugene. It will be the Ducks first game of the season. When I was a student many years ago I always loved these early games before school started. It was like having your dessert first ! Now I love them because of the usually good weather. As usual I will leave Medford early to drive the three hour trip up I-5 to Eugene. We usually park on the campus side of the Willamette river and walk over the footbridge to Autzen Stadium . This time of year it is a very pleasant walk over the river and through a wooded area to the stadium. On the walk there are people selling duck tee shirts etc that adds to the festive nature of the day. This year P.K. Park (the new baseball park) next to Autzen Stadium will be open with a big screen TV and the snack bars will be open with no need for a ticket to the game. They will broadcast the game on the big screen TV. What a fun way to be apart of the game day experience even if you don't have a ticket. Part of the stands are covered and so we will check this out before going in to Autzen for the game.

What a great way to end Summer

Go Ducks !