Diamond Cuts.

I haven't posted in a while, but then again I haven't been keeping up with the sports scene lately. So, I'm back and I'm ready to talk baseball! No, it's technically not baseball season, but I feel it's always baseball season.

With the first major move of the off-season, the Atlanta Braves acquire second baseman Dan Uggla for left-hand pitcher Mike Dunn and utility man Omar Infante.

I just want to say, welcome sir.

This is crucial. Trading for a high caliber second basemen shows just how questionable Chipper Jones is. Braves fans do not want him to go, but it looks like the team is prepared for the worst. With Uggla starting at second base, Martin Prado can move permanently to third if needed. If Jones does come back, Prado has the ability to play the outfield. Another option could see Prado at first base if Freddie Freeman doesn't work out as planned.

I'm also not sure why the Florida Marlins would have traded such a valuable player within the division. They received two high caliber players and left a small hole in the bullpen and on the bench of the Braves, but I feel Uggla will have the better return. An exciting move for the Braves, but personally, I hate to see Dunn and Infante go.

Gridiron Gang.

So...last week I talked about how much I love Brett Favre. This week I'm almost ashamed to admit it. Three interceptions, a fumble that was returned for a touchdown and a quarterback rating of 44.3, there was no way I could look a Vikings highlight directly in the eye. With his fourth interception of the season, Favre is more than half way to his total of seven interceptions from last season. But I have to stick with my man for at least one more week. He cant go three and out, can he? He's going up against the Detroit Lions for crying out loud. Certainly he can get me more than negative seven fantasy points this week.

On a more positive note, my all time favorite quarterback is finally getting a chance to turn back the clock and prove to football fans that he still has what it takes to run all over an opposing defense. That's right, Michael Vick is back and he is starting. I finally have a reason to be excited about football again! In his first start since 2006, Vick dominated the Lions defense. Passing for a surprising 284 yards and two touchdowns, Vick appeared to have earned the starting role in Philadelphia. Andy Reid thought otherwise. Until today, Reid was set to stick with Kevin Kolb, an unproven mess whose only successful appearance came against the Kansas City Chiefs last season. Vick is clearly the better option and is no longer fit for the bench. He is hot right now and should continue to be successful against Jacksonville and Washington in the coming weeks. If Reid is smart enough to stick with Vick for the season, look for the week six match-up against the Atlanta Falcons, it will be the game to watch.

Gridiron Gang.

Looks like I've been absent in the sports world for a while, but I'm back and I've got more to say. Football season is finally here! I'm slightly excited, but I'm more excited for the final few weeks of baseball. Anyway...

The 2010 NFL season kicked off with the reigning Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints battling against the bionic man, Brett Favre, and his purple people eaters, the Minnesota Vikings. The game was not a drive-up-the-score-and-see-who-wins kind of game, it was a let's-hit-each-other-and-see-who-hits-harder kind of game. Not really the excitement people are looking for to kick off the football season. Generally people want too see a shoot out, and with Favre and Brees at the helm, the chances were high. But, the focus was on the defensive play. Somehow, the Saints were held to 14 points, while the Vikings ran into a wall. I have to say, I love Favre. I don't care how long it takes for him to make up his mind in the off-season. I don't care what team he plays for. I don't care about his personal life. I just want to see the old man play! But, his 2010 debut has been tarnished by what I am going to call, the anti-Farve movement and his anti-fans.

No, Favre and the Vikings didn't win the game. Yes, he threw an interception that should never have been thrown. Yes, he made Visanthe Shiancoe look good. No, I repeat, No, Favre is not done. Favre is simply getting started. Last year at this time he completed 14 of 21 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown against the Browns. This year, he completed 15 of 27 passes for 171 yards, a touchdown and an interception. I would say, interception aside, Favre did better in his 2010 debut than his 2009. Why anti-fans are already counting him and the Vikings out, I have no idea. After Favre's slow 2009 start, he had six 300+ yard games, six 3+ touchdown games and ten games where his quarterback rating was over 100.

Anti-fans appear to be looking too much toward the negative aspects of Thursday night's game. Sure, a couple passes were off target. Sure, he made a bad decision and got intercepted. But based on the touchdown pass to Shiancoe and the drive that led up to it, Favre has a lot left in the tank. I wouldn't be surprised if he repeats his godlike statistics from 1 year ago.

Diamond Cuts.

Okay, Strasburg started yesterday, won, struck out eight, whatever. Today, I want to talk about the 2010 MLB All-Star Game.

Sportscasters, sports writers, bloggers, players and fans all have something to say about the All-Star game coming up on Tuesday. I say, shut up. Specifically, one giant shut the eff up to Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan.

On July 4, Passan decided to go All-Star bashing and according to him, Omar Infante is the "worst All-Star ever." This is probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. In no way am I angry solely because I am a Braves fan and he took a jab at one of my men, I find all of his All-Star views to be ridiculous and unnecessary. Arthur Rhodes and Evan Meek were sarcastically referred to as "better equipped...than Strasburg."

Let's see, Infante is currently batting .321 with 2 home runs, 26 runs, 23 RBIs and 3 stolen bases in 61 games. For a spot starting, pinch hitting utility player, those are respectable numbers. As he plays in the outfield more often, as he should, those stats are going to skyrocket.

Arthur Rhodes has given up five runs to the Phillies and one to all other clubs, has three fists full of holds and up until June 29, had a 0.28 ERA. Seems like the 40-year-old southpaw deserves to be an All-Star.

Pitching nearly 50 innings out of the bullpen over the first half, Evan Meek is well deserving of a spot on the All-Star roster. He has consistently kept his ERA under one on a bad club. Pittsburgh is not close to being a winning team, but Meek is their saving grace.

All three players, unnecessarily dumped on by Jeff Passan hold a large place in their respective clubs hearts. Without Infante's consistency off the bench, the Braves might be looking up at the Mets in first place. Without Rhodes in the bullpen, the Reds may not hold an unexpected two game lead over St. Louis. Without Meek, well without Meek, Pittsburgh may only have 5 wins, it's tough to say.

The All-Star selection process is quite unfair. The fans in the larger market areas will sway the voting towards players who have been known in the past to do great or players that are just coming up and are expected to do great. You can always expect the AL to have 5 Yankees and 4 Red Sox. This fact alone should be reason enough for fans of baseball to appreciate the fact that lesser known players are getting a chance.

Rhodes has been around forever and deserves to bask in the glory that comes with being an All-Star, who knows if he will get another chance. Who knows if any player will have another chance. Maybe a series of unfortunate events will lead to Meek's early retirement, maybe Infante will be forever a bench warmer, maybe the world is going to end in 2012, who knows.

All I know is that these players, Omar Infante, Arthur Rhodes and Evan Meek, all deserve an apology from Jeff Passan and any other player, coach, fan or reporter that questions their spot on the team. They made it. They deserve it. And damn it, they will remember it. I for one would like to thank Charlie Manuel for helping make the NL All-Star team what it truly should be; a group of guys ready to win.

Jeff Passan's article.

Diamond Cuts.

With another Stephen Strasburg start on the horizon, it's time for another Stephen Strasburg Update.

Well, I can't say it enough, every time Strasburg takes the mound, he gives the Nationals a chance to win. He pitched brilliantly against the Braves, but came out early and was handed his second loss.

Strasburg got hit hard in the first inning, made his pitches and worked around a couple of baserunners. Quickly thereafter he found a groove against Braves hitters, striking out five in a row through spotless fifth and sixth innings.

It's the seventh inning that doomed Strasburg this time out. A lead off walk, a bloop single and a fielding error that could have turned into a double play, lead to the bases being loaded and no one being out. A sac-fly and a single later and the Braves were up 2-0. At this point, it's my opinion that Strasburg made an early exit. With stuff like his, Jim Riggleman should have let him get out of the inning. Chances are, all Strasburg would need is six pitches and he would strike out the next two batters and the Nationals would be down 2-0. Instead, Sean Burnett comes in and allows a bunt single to Gregor Blanco and an infield single to Omar Infante. Now down 4-0, Drew Storen comes in to get the final two outs. But before he can do that, he allows another runner to score on a sac-fly making the lead grow to 5-0.

The final line on Strasburg was 6.1 inning pitched, 6 hits, 4 runs, 3 earned, 2 walks and 7 strikeouts. All in all, he had a great outing, his defense let him down and his offense didn't help any. Losing his second straight start was surely tough, but Strasburg will look to continue his success today against the Mets. I can't say it won't be difficult, but it is the Mets, how hard can it be?

Diamond Cuts.

As fantasy baseball players around the world rush to find Edwin Jackson on waivers, I think it's time for a Stephen Strasburg Update.

I can't bring myself to say I told you so, but I certainly wasn't wrong. Strasburg was finally let down by the Nationals' offense as the Royals handed him his first major league loss a little earlier than I had expected. In his fourth major league start, Strasburg lasted six innings and struck out nine batters, but allowed all of the Royals nine hits. He allowed one too many men to reach base in the fifth inning, when Jose Guillen singled in the winning run with two outs.

It's a tragic loss. With nine hits, the Royals could have done a decent amount of scoring, but Strasburg held them to only one run and again gave the Nationals a good chance to win the game. I can see this kid winning every game he starts with a potent offense behind him. Send him to the Yankees (they like to spend money). Send him to the Red Sox (they'll take what the Yankees don't). Heck, send him to Texas (they like to score runs, they've won their last 11 games!).

Strasburg shouldn't really be on the move, there is no way the Nationals can give up an arm like that - if he throws it, they will come. Plus, it's great for the 17 real Nationals fans out there, they need something to cheer for, it's only fair.

Diamond Cuts.

Stephen Strasburg Update

Strasburg looks to continue his domination of under .500 teams today as the Washington Nationals attempt to finish off the Kansas City Royals in sweeping fashion.

His last start on June 18th against the White Sox resulted in a no decision as he pitched seven innings of one-run ball and struck out 10 men. Strasburg got into first inning trouble when the speedy Juan Pierre reached on an infield single and the crafty veteran Omar Vizquel looped a double down the right field line. With men at second and third and nobody out, Alex Rios drove in a run while grounding out to first and Strasburg went on to strike out the next two batters.

A couple of deep fly ball outs riddled between eight more strike outs and Strasburg would leave the game with the record for the most strike outs in his first three major league starts. Previously held by J.R. Richard, the record for most strike outs in a pitchers first three major league starts was 29. Strasburg has 32.

Strasburg has given the Nationals a chance to win every time out, but their offense couldn't rally against starter Gavin Floyd. I have a feeling Strasburg will be let down by the offense on numerous occasions throughout the year. Adam Dunn saved his winning record for the time being, but the Braves, the Mets and the Padres are up next.

What I'm watching.

Honestly, I'm watching everything, but one show has stuck out lately. America's Got Talent. The "celebrity" judges have shifted slightly in that David Hasselhoff has been replaced by Howie Mandel. How Michael Knight can be one-upped by the Deal or no Deal guy I'll never know, but to that I say, "No deal!"

Hasselhoff is an x-factor. He is the guy that brings the crazy to the table. What is he going to do today? I don't know, maybe he will juggle some flaming marsupials while riding a dolphin during a special appearance at SeaWorld. Maybe he and Garey Busey will get together and skip down the Sunset Strip screaming obscenities; one of them noticeably drunk and the other off his medication, you pick, they're interchangeable. The point is, the Hoff is crazy and a spectacle. Does anyone really want to see Howie "No Deal" Mandel? I know I don't. I also know I hope that nickname sticks.

Mandel bashing aside, this show should in no way be called America's Got Talent. I think the creators forgot to pitch the title America's Got Nothing Better to Do Than Showcase Their Uselessness on National Television. Yeah, yeah. They have to weed out the useless "talents," I get that. But they don't! Puppies jumping through hoops is certainly not my idea of the most talented group in America. Now, if the puppies were to soar through hoops with the help of a jet pack at a height of 10,000 feet, I might applaud, not for the puppies, but for the success of the jet pack. Do you know how awesome that would be?

Someone with some talent will surely win the competition, but they should weed out the nut jobs before they get a chance on television. The creators of the show may argue against this since they will lose viewers. What will they have to make fun of? What will clip shows run all week? What will the William Hungs of the world do? To this I say, "where's David Hasselhoff? If you wanted nut jobs, you got rid of one of the best. "

Diamond Cuts.

Stephen Strasburg Update

Lasting 5.1 innings, striking out 8, walking 5 and allowing a solo home run, Strasburg picks up his second win in as many starts.

Is something wrong? Is Strasburg really cut out for the majors? No! And of course he is! What silly questions. His numbers dipped a little compared to his first start but he is still out there confusing hitters. Strasburg had more trouble with loose dirt on the Cleveland mound than with the batters he faced.

Looks like he will be facing another sub-.500 team in the Chicago White Sox on Friday. At least Paul Konerko and Alex Rios will provide some sort of challenge.

Diamond Cuts.

Ah yes, it's time for yet another edition of diamond cuts. As most baseball fans will know, last night, Stephen Strasburg finally made his major league debut and boy was it a start to remember.

Striking out 14 batters (12 swinging and 2 looking), allowing only four base runners (3 singles and 1 home run) and pitching the Nationals to a win, Strasburg had one of the best pitching debuts that I can remember.

Strasburg appeared to begin the game with a few butterflies in his stomach. He pitched behind in the count to Andrew McCutchen and Niel Walker, but retired them on sharp hit balls on the infield. After the first two batters it's hard to remember a time when he wasn't throwing strikes. One of those pitches ended up in the stands, but it was still a strike. His only mistake, a 1-0 change-up over the heart of the plate to Delwyn Young, resulted in the Pirates taking a 2-1 lead.

At this point, I have to be honest, I was worried that Strasburg wasn't going to get the win. Even if he pitched shutout ball, I didn't expect the Nationals to score too many runs. (Not that opposing pitcher Jeff Karstens was lights-out, but it's the Nationals offense. Need I say more?)

Anyway, after the home run Strasburg certainly settled back in. He struck out 8 of the next 10 batters including the final 7 batters he faced. Simply astounding! I'm counting on an encore against the Indians over the weekend.

The kid looked great out there and I have certainly bought in to Strasburgmania, but his first start was against the Pirates. I would almost expect the kind of numbers Strasburg exhibited against the Pirates from Jamie Moyer. They have scored the least number of runs in the league and have allowed the third most runs to score. It's not a pretty thing, losing to the Pirates.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm not saying Strasburg won because he faced the Pirates, I just can't wait to see him pitch against the AL East powerhouse...or Albert Pujols.

Diamond Cuts.

After posting the worst record in the NL East during the month of April, the Atlanta Braves have climbed out of the cellar and currently hold a half-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Turning the early season completely around, the Braves have posted a 20-8 record for the month and have won six straight games. My early April panic, while not to be ignored, has been transformed into a May of contentment.

As I said at the end of April, leadoff hitters have been abysmal. Throughout the current six game winning streak, the consistent hitting Martin Prado has accumulated a .397 average in the number one spot. He has amassed 14 multi-hit games in the month of May and contributed greatly to the run total, driving in 22 and scoring 24. It's sad that it took more than a month for Bobby Cox to consistently put him in the number one spot.

Run production was also something that lacked in late April. One month later and the Braves are consistently putting crooked numbers on the scoreboard. Over the last six games they have scored an average of seven runs per game and have given up just under three runs per game. The lineup finally seems to have figured itself out.

Other note worthy accomplishments for the month include Troy Glaus's current six game hitting streak, Brooks Conrad's walk-off grand slam against the Reds, Yunel Escobar finally batting over .200, Eric Hinske getting the playing time he deserves and Gregor Blanco finally being called up.

It has been a most glorious May! The beast has been awakened! Bring it on June!

Diamond Cuts.

I am a little upset by the recent performance of the Atlanta Braves. Losers of nine straight games, the Braves have been swept by the Mets and the Cardinals, they lost two of three to the Phillies and they are looking to head into May with the worst record in the NL East. That's right, with only eight wins, the Braves sit five games behind the division leading Mets and four games behind the third place Nationals. This does not sit well with me.

Their sloppy play and inconsistency does not appear to be near an end. Let's start with the Mets sweeping. It gets to me the most because, as I have said before, I hate the Mets. Anyway, the first game was riddled with fielding errors. Four to be exact, and Chipper committed two of them. It doesn't seem right for a major league club to commit four errors in a game. It's blasphemous! Also, the Mets pitching staff struck out twelve batters. It seemed as though every two strike pitch was invisible to the hitter. At least try and protect the plate, sheesh. The second game of the series resulted in nine more strikeouts and no run support. Losing the third game to rain was just terrible. One unearned run coming from two Braves errors and a timely downpour later allowed for the Mets to win it in five innings. Frustration ensues.

On to the Cardinals sweeping. The most consistent thing the Braves had going for them at this point was their bullpen. Allowing inherited runners to score, they lost the first game. Derek Lowe lost the second game. The third and fourth games were just ugly. Kawakami got hit around and Jurrjens left in the first inning with a bad hamstring. A dreadful series.

In this 0-9 slump, the Braves have averaged over six strikeouts a game, not even two runs a game and have given up nearly five runs a game. Pitching aside, it's hard to win a game when you don't score runs. It would help if the number one man in the batting order would reach base. Over the last nine games, the Braves have left it up to five different men to get on base in the number one spot: Nate McLouth 0/9; Omar Infante 0/5; Melky Cabrera 0/3; Matt Diaz 0-5; Yunel Escobar 4/15. That's a batting average of .108. It doesn't help that four regular players are batting .200 or under.

Entering this season the Braves lost Kelly Johnson and Adam LaRoche to Arizona, Jeff Francoeur to the Mets and Casey Kotchman to the Mariners. All are enjoying a decent amount of success elsewhere. Its hard to watch them enjoy success on other teams and not ask why they were traded or let go. It is also hard to watch them succeed and not look to Braves hitting coach and ask what's going on out there? Are you even trying? It may not be his fault, but when playing the blame game (at this point in the season) it's easy to point at Terry Pendleton.

Former all-star, MVP and Gold Glove winner, Pendleton, a career .270 hitter, seems like a likely choice to coach a team on hitting. Maybe my panic is premature, maybe at the end of the season the Braves will be leading the division, maybe our leadoff hitters will start to pick it up, but right now, Mr. Pendleton, rally the damn troops, because we need a win or five and I don't want to see you get canned.

WTF?

Have you ever woken up after a dream and just said to yourself, "what the eff just happened." No? Well, I certainly cant be the only one. Anyway, that's exactly what I did this morning.

Blurry fade to dream land. I'm in a sort of squished football stadium. The field is the same length, but the width is about the size of two sidewalks; it's very thin for a football field. All there is is a running game, there is certainly no room to pass. Anyway, there are people sitting all around the stadium watching the players fight in the trenches. They are clapping and cheering and I decide to take a look around. Directly behind me sit a group of people dressed exactly like the cookie monster. That's right, blue, fuzzy, googly eyes and that awkward neck body. There was at least 20 of them. The freakin' cookie monster...at a football game! Just wait, it gets better. At this point they start to sing. I can't remember the exact words. but it was something about Bob Dole being in the military and wanting him replaced by some guy with the last name of Gold. I don't know if he actually exists. I don't even know what position Bob Dole was holding. I like the song, laugh, clap, cheer and go back to watching the game as if nothing happened.

Now I ask you, WTF? How did this happen? Is this the point in my life where I get crazy pills? All I know is I want some sort of dream analysis on this, because man, I have no idea what went on in my head.

Diamond Cuts.

First of all, congratulations Ubaldo Jimenez, I knew there was a reason I drafted you.

It is a difficult thing to do, root against the team you have grown to love, but sometimes you must tip your hat to the opposition and recognize that it's just not going to be your day.

A disappointing day for my Atlanta Braves results in a historical outing for the Colorado Rockies and young pitching phenom, Ubaldo Jimenez. Fans lucky enough to be at Turner Field in Atlanta got to witness one of the most honorable feats in baseball history, the no hitter.

That's right, for the first time in the Colorado Rockies 18-year history, Ubaldo Jimenez dominated the Braves lineup, striking out seven hitters, allowing six walks and no hits. The six walks allowed came in the first five innings and Jimenez was dealing from the sixth on, often reaching speeds of nearly 100mph.

The Braves have been on the losing side of a no hitter before. This most recent performance was preceded by Randy Johnson's perfect game when he was pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks back in 2004.

Fans of the Braves, although disappointed, did not walk away empty handed. Those who were able to watch the game will have a great story to tell years from now when Jimenez is no longer baby-faced. Those that were unable to watch the game must simply appreciate Jimenez's accomplishment.

Speaking of history, the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals have a chance to break the record of the longest game in Major League Baseball history. As I type, the Cardinals tied the game in the bottom of the 19th inning, taking it into the 20th and hopefully on to the 27th to make it the longest game ever played. For the record, I hate the Mets.

Fringe Science.

The topic of this weeks episode of Fringe was time travel, and it really got me thinking; is there a point to traveling back in time?

I certainly understand the motivation behind time travel: fixing an unpleasant occurrence, taking a different road and all around changing the present. Is that how it really happens though? Is it that simple? Assuming time travel were possible for everyone, would you be able to actually change anything?

For this next point, I have a significant other named Betty and she was killed in a horrific car accident, and time travel exists. Anyway, because of my undying love for her, I would return to a time before the accident and tell her not to drive that day. In doing so, I save her life. But wouldn't the motivation for traveling back in time be eliminated? Would there be a reason to travel back? If there is not, then would my beautiful Betty still be dead?

If this is the case, then the only way to change the present would be to relive your life in the past in order to have a different future. In this case, there would be two of you running around the past and therefore the present and the future, and that could just be a mess. So what does time travel really accomplish? Is it really necessary? I don't see its purpose.

Diamond Cuts.

Dear Easter, this year you take a backseat to America's pastime. That's right, baseball is back and it starts off with a bang. The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are quick to renew their rivalry as the World Series Champion Yankees look to start the season the way they ended it: with a win.

Hot Dogs, home runs and human growth hormone will riddle the lives of the millions of individuals that have been waiting for the return of baseball since last October. Being one such individual, opening night brings back memories of ballparks I've visited over the years. My list is small yet ever expanding and a majority of the ballparks have since closed (Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium, RFK Stadium, the Metrodome and Rogers Centre). But the most fond memory I have comes from visiting the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minnesota.

The weather called for rain on the night of July 31st, 2009 as the Twins hosted the Angels in the first game of a three game series. The hometown Twins were looking good as they lead 5-2 through six innings, but the game got away from them and the Angels had everything tied up by the end of the eighth inning. Still tied at the end of nine, the game went into extra innings and gave every Twins fan a moment to remember. It was the top of the tenth inning and manager Ron Gardenhire brought in lights out closer, Joe Nathan. The skies opened and the rain pelted the top of the dome as Nathan took the mound and got some warm up tosses in. Juan Rivera stepped up to the plate and Nathan brought his best: strike one followed by two and almost immediately by three, first batter down. The rain got heavier and thunder began to clap along with the fans. As the heavens roared, the fans cheered and Nathan had the dome on his side. Two eight pitch at bats later and Nathan had struck out the side. The thunder, with almost perfect timing had riled up the crowd enough for the "tenth man" to be one with the team creating the most thrilling atmosphere to ever be a part of.

The Twins, not having scored a run since the fourth inning, went on to lose the game 11-5 in eleven innings. Despite their losing efforts and the Metrodome closing at the end of the season, such an experience has elevated my passion for the sport and given me one hell of a memory that will never escape me.

The Boardroom.

Is anyone else out there watching celebrity apprentice? I can't get enough of this show!

First of all, Rod Blagojevich (just so everyone is aware, spell check suggests archipelago for his last name). This man has some balls. After all the controversy with him allegedly attempting to sell the President's vacated senate seat and whatnot, he has the gall to to go on public television in attempt to become the underdog that everyone is cheering for. Kudos to him for trying. That's right, trying. It's almost as if every episode makes him out to be a little bit more pathetic. He stumbles over his words, he doesn't know how to work a computer, he has to say hello to everyone and he gets mistaken for Donny Osmond. Really Donny Osmond? Anyway, I don't know how this man was governor for six years, but he sure does make it easy to come back and watch the next episode. I can't wait to see what insanity he drums up next.

Ok, so the episode that aired on Sunday...fan-freakin'-tastic. I could have sworn M. Night Shyamalan had directed the episode. Not the recent Shyamalan that has been spewing out crap such as The Happening or Signs, but the Shyamalan that gave us The Sixth Sense. In other words, there was a highly unexpected ending.

**Spoiler Alert**

Summer Sanders threw Cyndi Lauper under a bus and oh yeah, Darryl Strawberry essentially gave up and walked off the show! He suggested that he should be the one fired and of course, it happened. Mr. Trump wasn't gonna let that slide, I'm sure. Anyway, Trump made it look nice and asked Strawberry if he was tired and wanted to go home. Eventually that's the way it ended up, but the best part is difficult to describe in words: Trump Jr. shook his head from side to side as if signaling to Strawberry that he had made a huge mistake and looked on as a deer would look into the headlights of an oncoming truck. At that exact moment Jr. knew Strawberry was about to strike out. It was hilarious yet joyless at the same time.

Sadly enough, I think I agree with the fact that Strawberry was the one to go. All I remember him doing in this episode was ordering a couple of pizzas.

Well, see it all unfold for yourself here, highly recommended:

AR

I can't stand Arkansas!

There, I've said it, now let me clarify. It's not that I can't stand the people or the place (I haven't even been there), it's that I can't stand the pronunciation. It kills me! I just can't understand why we all say are-can-saw instead of are-can-zes, ya know...like Kansas. Kansas is in the name yet we pronounce it different. I don't get it and I don't think I ever will. The 'Ar' in front, to me, should not change the pronunciation of the rest of the word. WHY DOES IT?!

Phew, I'm glad I got that off my chest.

Greetings and Salutations.

On the way out of work tonight a co-worker said to me the word 'night,' as if to say have a good night.

This got me thinking of the way people greet each other and what not. Why is it that people feel the need to point out the time of day it is? "Morning" ... "Night" Is it really necessary to cut the word 'good' from the statement? I think not. I think it is quite necessary to add some sort of adjective. If someone just says "Morning" upon the start of the day how am I supposed to know whether I should have a good morning, a bad morning, a fancy morning or a drab morning?!?! I just can't know whether people like me or hate me!

Think of this the next time someone rips the personality out of any greeting or salutation and call them out on it. "Morning."..."Looks like it to me." "Night"..."Is that what the darkness means?" Rude? I don't think so. You're just demanding clarification regarding your social standing with a person.

That's it from me...have an excitingly awesome night!

What I'm watching.

With my first post I would like to share with you something that has greatly entertained me despite the somewhat sensitive subject it discusses.

Two days ago Jon Stewart conducted what was probably my favorite interview ever. His guest was Marc Thiessen, an author and journalist who was a speech writer for none other than George W. Bush. Thiessen's book, Courting Disaster: How the CIA Kept America Safe and How Barack Obama Is Inviting the Next Attack, was the topic of discussion. He argues for exposing the identities of the lawyers representing enemy combatants, implying that attempting to free such people (terrorists) raises questions. Sure, it does, but I like to think that the lawyers are just trying to uphold the law instead of being sympathetic to terrorists. Anyway, Thiessen and Stewart argue over the effectiveness of Guantanamo Bay, the effectiveness of waterboarding and Thiessen awkwardly throws in his view on climate change. I agree with Stewart's points all the way and I now see Thiessen as kind of a putz.

At the end of the interview which aired on Stewart's show, Thiessen goes on to cry about not being able to get any of his points in. As pathetic as his performance is, I am grateful. His blubbering lead to a follow-up interview that not only provided more proof of his ignorance and subjectivity, but further enhanced Stewart's superiority.

Instead of questioning the effectiveness of The Daily Show, Thiessen should have questioned the effectiveness of his arguments as he dug his own grave and allowed Stewart to simply bury him.

Check out the first part of the interview below. If you enjoyed it as much as I did, then I highly recommend you check out the second and third parts at thedailyshow.com.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Marc Thiessen Extended Interview Pt. 1
www.thedailyshow.com
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