Florida Fight

On May 21, Florida advanced their primary. On Saturday, Democrats responded with an ultimatum. Unless Florida surrenders, their delegates will be revoked. As previously stated, the Presidential selection process is mangled. However, Democrats are absurd. They should relax. America’s fourth state deserves an opinion.

Afterthought Will Start

Herman Edwards: “Brodie Croyle in my mind is going to be a good quarterback in this organization -- no doubt about it. I just think we've exposed Brodie where we know what he is a lot more than we did last year. We know what Damon is because he has a history. When you weigh those things, you go into the opener and say, `Hey, we've got to try to win the game.' In my opinion, this gives us the best chance.”

Last season, Damon Huard logged a 5-3 ledger. Following Trent Green’s exodus, he became the alleged starter. Amidst this competition, Huard must have stewed. Yes, he won… only due to Croyle’s infancy.

Seldom Exemplary Conduct

Emmanuel Cook (S – South Carolina): Arrested – Gun Possession

Marcus Harrison (DE – Arkansas): Arrested – Drug Possession

Blake Mitchell (QB – South Carolina): Suspended – Academics

Derrick Odom (LB – LSU): Arrested – Burglary

Nike Terminates Michael Vick

Nike: “Nike has terminated our contract with Michael Vick following today's release of details of his plea. As we have said in previous statements, we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane, abhorrent and unacceptable.”

A Linebacker’s Homecoming

On Friday, Carolina Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan returned. During his career, Morgan has accrued 368 tackles and multiple concussions. Morgan is an exemplary individual. He is also an outstanding athlete. His comeback is courageous. However, I implore caution.

Praying For Cash

Ted Haggard has requested financial contributions. His motivation? A master's degree. Haggard is a charlatan. He is a fraud. He was also a hypocrite. He was never a preacher. He was a pimp and profiteer. He deserves nothing.

Write the Eulogy: Vick Guilty Suspended Indefinitely

Since July 17, Michael Vick has lived his obituary’s opening line. Someday, said line will read: Michael Vick, who spurned football for dog fighting, died today.

On Friday afternoon, Vick negotiated his guilt. On Friday evening, he was suspended indefinitely. Officially, Vick will plead to procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines. He will acknowledge bankrolling the operation, receiving profits, and observing canine slaughter.

According to Attorney Billy Martin, codefendants Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips, and Tony Taylor were guiltier than Vick. “Our position has been that we are going to try to help Judge Hudson understand all the facts and Michael's role,” Martin said. “Michael's role was different than others associated with this incident.”

During his career, Vick completed 930 of 1,730 passes for 11,505 yards with 71 touchdowns and 52 interceptions. He also logged 523 carries for 3,859 yards and 21 touchdowns. Pathetically, Vick incinerated his career. Amidst the ashes, fans and the Atlanta Falcons.

Arthur Blank: Mature Michael

Arthur Blank: “Today, Michael Vick admitted his guilt to very serious charges related to his earlier indictment. His admissions describe actions that are incomprehensible and unacceptable for a member of the National Football League and the Atlanta Falcons. We respect and support the Commissioner’s decision today to place Michael Vick on an indefinite suspension. As with other actions he has taken this year, the Commissioner is making a strong statement that conduct which tarnishes the good reputation of the NFL will not be tolerated. We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life.”

Roger Goodell Excoriates Vick

Suspension Letter Text

Politico: Republicans Eye Internet Advantage

Call it ActRed.

There’s something of a competition brewing between three new Republican groups angling to cut into the online fundraising advantage enjoyed by Democrats and their Internet money machine, ActBlue.

Rightroots, Big Red Tent and Slatecard.com are the latest in a series of as yet unsuccessful efforts by GOP operatives to close their party’s Web-cash gap with Democrats.

All three will allow visitors to their websites to contribute to Republican candidates running for federal offices, plus in Rightroots’ case a few who aren’t – namely might-be presidential candidates Fred Thompson, Newt Gingrich and Chuck Hagel.

The committees will forward contributions to the candidates’ official committees, sort of like an e-bundler, and will also solicit contributions to pay for their own operations.

Using a similar system, ActBlue has passed along more than $22 million in conduit contributions to federal candidates and millions more to non-federal candidates since its creation in the months before Election Day 2004.

“ActBlue has been wildly successful. They’ve got a big head start on us,” said Jason Torchinsky, general counsel for Rightroots and the political action committee behind it, ABC PAC.

Torchinsky is also a top lawyer for Rudy Giuliani’s campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, but he said the two jobs won’t conflict because of the egalitarian nature of Rightroots, which launched a beta version this week.

Like ActBlue does with Democrats, Rightroots and Slatecard.com will accept contributions for every Republican candidate for federal office and will eventually allow users to create their own “slates” of candidates, which they can promote by e-mailing the link to friends and associates.

Big Red Tent, which launched earlier this month, puts more emphasis on the community approach, requiring a vote of its users before candidates can be included on the site.

The site currently lists only three GOP candidates: presidential contender Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts; Rep. Marilyn Musgrave of Colorado; and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. But Ryan Gravatt, co-founder of Big Red Tent, asserted the site’s structure will yield a more engaged user base.

“We’re really trying to keep the focus on the organic properties of community building,” Gravatt said.

David All, one of the creators of Slatecard, said his site will launch this fall and feature a system allowing donors to “tag” candidates based on their stances on issues.

The features of the respective sites will determine which becomes most popular, he predicted, adding that “the competition in this space is a good thing which will help ensure a solid platform.”

Republicans lagged in online organizing and fundraising because they had the institutional advantages of controlling the White House and, until this year, Congress, he said, allowing easier access to traditional media.

In the meantime, the bloggers, activists and donors who form the Democrats’ so-called Netroots have helped shape the party’s platform, candidate recruitment and fundraising efforts, rivaling and in some ways overtaking established forms of campaigning, such as direct mail and phone-banking.

And the three new GOP entries into the field may face an inherent demographic disadvantage on the Internet, said Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia.

Younger people are more likely to contribute using the Internet, he said. “And young people have been tilting substantially Democratic because of Iraq and social issues,” Sabato asserted, comparing Democrats’ domination of the Internet to Republicans’ domination of talk radio.

“Older people grew up listening to the radio, whereas the Internet is a young person’s game,” he said. “It’s just a matter of how old you are and what you’re used to. I don’t know whether this will ever equalize.”

Still, ActBlue is flattered by the conservative copycats, said treasurer Matt DeBergalis.

But he pointed out that the Internet’s brief history is littered with ideas that never took root, and he cautioned that online fundraising is not “as simple as throwing up the Web page that you see. ActBlue has been a substantial effort for us.”

Junior Retreats, Defends Teresa

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I want to say it's about time we give Teresa a break. She makes the decision on that number because she owns it. And as much as I am disappointed and frustrated over the fact that I don't get to keep driving the No. 8, the stuff that I read on the Internet and the stuff that I am hearing is going on, the remarks about her, directed toward her, I don't think anybody deserves that.”

“She hasn't done anything intentionally detrimental to me. I've got a good future, a good opportunity on my hands. She's doing what she needs to do, what she feels like she needs to do. I just think everybody needs to lay off a little bit because she was married to my daddy and I know he wouldn't be too happy about what's going on, what's being said about her. It bothers me a little bit.”

“I hate to see somebody be crucified on the Internet like Teresa has. She's got a daughter that goes to school, who's got friends that she has to put up with that stuff. It's just hardcore, man. People have been really, really rude and really way over the line on some of the things that have been said.”

“When it comes to my driving career right now, I didn't like how it was understood between me and Teresa. We obviously didn't have a good line of communication. We obviously don't understand each other. We obviously don't know much about each other. She underestimates my determination and willingness to give it all I've got. Obviously, I probably know that little about her and her determination.”

“I want the best for DEI, simply put. If there's opportunities for me to help them or if there are programs they want to involve me in that are interesting and are fun for me, I've got interest there and I'm wide open to doing those things because they make sense.”

“But the relationship that I have with Teresa I disliked and I didn't enjoy and I didn't want anymore. That was the only single thing that has made all this what it is today. That will be the one thing I will avoid in the future when working with DEI. I wish I could be in the No. 8. I don't think that's something that goes away or I get used to. The possibilities I'm looking at I like a lot and are pretty cool and I think I can make an identity with.”

Gang Lids

In Harlem, New Era baseball caps are available. They feature the New York Yankees logo. They also include a red and gray bandanna (Crips Gang), a blue and gray bandanna (Bloods Gang), or a gold crown (Latin Kings Gang). This apparel is apocryphal. Hopefully, Major League Baseball was unaware. Immediately, they should order them removed.

NEW RULE

Occasionally, insult is deserved.

On Thursday, Bobby Cutts was indicted. His charges include murder, burglary, gross abuse of a corpse, and child endangerment. Child endangerment was necessary? Cutts probable penalties include death or life incarceration. Additional months were necessary? Cutts is a thug. He warrants excoriation. Yes, Stark County prosecutors were vindictive. However, I applaud them.

Blank Sponsorship

On Friday, Jeff Burton and crew arrived. Their car, hauler, and uniforms were sans sponsorship. No AT&T lettering or logos. As previously stated, NASCAR is ridiculous. AT&T is not a new sponsor. AT&T purchased Cingular. They are eliminating Cingular. NASCAR should relent. Given their stupidity, I hope Burton wins.

Worth A Read

Lohan Groupie

Lindsay Lohan news and pictures. Currently, they are polling sobriety.

A Puncher’s Challenge

On October 27, Chris Byrd will oppose Alexander Povetkin. On November 2, Calvin Brock will oppose Eddie Chambers. Subsequently, the winners will clash. Eventually, someone will oppose Vladimir Klitschko. None of the aforesaid are impressive heavyweights. This will not salvage boxing. With that stated, this quadrangular is a positive occurrence.

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn't you use to be incarcerated?

On Thursday, the Obama girl chose. She is voting for Hillary Clinton. You thought Obama's daughter was mad before...

During sex, a woman stabbed her ex-husband. Finally, Britney has gotten revenge.

Warner’s Words Wise

Senator John Warner: “We must start an orderly, carefully-planned, thought-out redeployment. The 5,000 is not going to be a destabilizing number of armed forces. It's not going to in any way denigrate the ability of the troops to train the Iraqi Security Forces. But it will send a very clear signal to support what the president said on January 10 that we're not going to stay there forever and what Ambassador Crocker said earlier this week that the United States is not giving Iraq a blank check. Time has come to put some meaningful teeth into those comments, to back them up with some clear, decisive action to show that we mean business. The Constitution is very explicit as to the president's authority, as to the Congress' authority. In reality, we have but one tool and that is to terminate funding. And having served in the Pentagon for five years during Vietnam, and having witnessed what Congress did, I do not want to see a repeat of that.”

Senator Warner is knowledgeable. He is respected. He may also be correct. The United States should not withdraw. He is not advocating this. Five thousand would not destabilize. Five thousand would send a message. Given Iraqi’s political climate, that message would be appropriate.

Yahoo: Surge Cements Policy

Intentionally or not, a new assessment of Iraq's political and military prospects landed just in time to bolster President Bush's case that the United States should maintain its troop buildup in the country and stand by its beleaguered government.

The consensus report by U.S. spy agencies contained a veiled warning: Any move to shift U.S. troops out of their role directly combating insurgents could squander the modest security gains secured by the troop surge.

"A change of mission ... would place security improvements at risk," the report concluded.

That conclusion, coming unanimously from the nation's 16 intelligence agencies, will likely help the administration and its ground commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, argue for patience from a skeptical Congress and public. Petraeus has overseen a U.S. troop buildup and a more aggressive counterinsurgency effort that Bush announced in January.

Anthony Cordesman, an Iraq expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said intelligence assessments aren't meant as policy arguments, but the warning in the new National Intelligence Estimate, revealed Thursday, may be seen as just that.

"I don't mean that the timing of the release may not have something to do with a campaign for supporting the president's position," he said.

Colin Kahl, a former Pentagon analyst and now an assistant professor of national security studies at Georgetown University, said the intelligence community is aware that the timing of the new report — just nine months after the last intelligence estimate on Iraq — looks political. It was dropped this week into the dead calm of an official Washington in the middle of summer vacation.

"I think those working on the NIE were well aware that it would be politically controversial, but I don't get the sense that this was done in the service of helping Petraeus or the administration," said Kahl. "I get the sense that some within the (intelligence community) thought it was unnecessary, and unprecedented, to do another Iraq NIE so close on the heels of the last one."

One senior intelligence official said, however, that the timing was intentional — designed to inform decisions to be made about Iraq strategy this summer and fall. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the issue more candidly.

Kahl said the report itself amounts to an "honest, somewhat grim, 'damned if we do, damned if we don't' assessment."

The warning against any change in Iraq tactics comes as Capitol Hill and the White House are showing fresh interest in the 2006 bipartisan Iraq Study Group report. That report recommended, among other things, that U.S. forces pull back from the front lines and focus on providing logistical support and training to Iraqi forces, along with conducting targeted counterterror operations.

In June, a bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation to adopt the Iraq Study Group's 79 recommendations, with the goal to begin withdrawing combat troops not needed for force protection as early as March 2008. And on Thursday, Sen. John Warner, R-Va., called for starting troop withdrawals by Christmas.

Bush, who politely dismissed much of the Iraq Study Group's report last year, told an audience in Michigan on April 20 that he liked some of its ideas.

"Embedding troops and training troops makes sense for me. I like the idea of having our troops on the over-horizon presence, to be able to help bail out extreme situations. I really want to make sure that our special ops stays on the hunt for al-Qaida in Iraq," he said.

Pentagon officials say it will put severe strains on the military to sustain the additional 30,000 surge troops in Iraq beyond April 2008.

They are looking for ways to continue surge missions — protecting the population while pursuing al-Qaida and militia extremists — while transferring more day-to-day responsibility for operations to Iraqi forces. A senior military official in Iraq said Thursday that process is already under way.

"It has never been an either-or proposition," said a second top military officer. "We have to both protect the population and develop the Iraqi security forces. It's a matter of how."

Prequel Minister?

According to CNN, Barbour Griffith & Rogers is representing former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi. This week, President Bush has defended current Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. His actions are classic. Currently, al-Maliki is a friend. Eventually, he will be fired.

Lohan Pleads, Receives One Day

On Thursday, Lindsay Lohan plead no contest. She received twenty-four hours incarceration, ten days community service, and drug treatment.

Lohan’s punishment is laughable. Lohan is gorgeous. She is exponentially talented. However, Lohan was arrested twice. She is an arrogant partier. She is destroying herself. Placation will not rehabilitate her.

Lohan: “I’m Addicted”

Lindsay Lohan: “It is clear to me that my life has become completely unmanageable because I am addicted to alcohol and drugs. Recently, I relapsed and did things for which I am ashamed. I broke the law, and today I broke the law, and today I took responsibility by pleading guilty to the charges in my case. No matter what I said when I was under the influence on the day I was arrested, I am not blaming anyone else for my conduct other than myself. I thank God I did not injure others. I easily could have. I very much want to be healthy and gain control of my life and career and have asked for medical help in doing so. I am taking these steps to improve my life. Luckily, I am not alone in my daily struggle and I know that people like me have succeeded. Maybe with time it will become easier. I hope so.”

Facebook Friends: Electoral Necessity

Nineteen-year-old L.J. Tsunis has some advice for his favorite U.S. presidential candidate: start hanging out on Facebook already.

"Rudy Giuliani is absolutely making a big mistake by not being active on Facebook," Tsunis told Reuters in a message posted through the popular social-networking site.

"Millions of votes could be had on here that may swing the election one way or the other."

Giuliani, a former mayor of New York City and the Republican front-runner in many opinion polls, is the only candidate for the November 2008 presidential race who has not gotten the message.

Every other major player has set up shop on the site, which draws millions of predominantly young users looking to flirt, make friends and goof off.

Candidates see social-networking sites like Facebook and MySpace as tools to win over young voters who are difficult to reach through more traditional campaigning.

In this early popularity contest, Sen. Barack Obama is the clear favorite so far -- the Illinois Democrat even gained the support on Facebook, however briefly, of Giuliani's Harvard-bound daughter, Caroline.

Obama has drawn nearly twice as many online "friends" who link to his profile than any other candidate, and many of them have become volunteers for the campaign.

The Obama campaign has also built its own social-networking site, my.barackobama.com, which it credits for boosting fund-raising and attendance at rallies. "It's a very, very useful way to organize volunteers," said Obama youth coordinator Hans Riemer.

Others are taking notice.

"Barack Obama is not going to lose a single voter from here on out. People are with him through the end of this thing," said David All, a Republican consultant who has urged his party to devote more attention to new technologies.

The Internet has played an ever-growing role in presidential races since 1996, when Republican candidate Bob Dole gave out the wrong address for his Web site during a debate with Democratic President Bill Clinton.

Republican John McCain pioneered online fund-raising in the 2000 race, and in 2004 Howard Dean rode the blogosphere to the front of the Democratic field before fizzling out.

BACK TO SCHOOL

This time around, online video sites like YouTube have garnered most of the headlines.

But social networks are likely to play a more substantial role when college students go back to class this autumn and the general public starts to pay more attention to the presidential race, experts say.

Facebook had 52 million unique visitors in June, while MySpace had 114 million.

Democrats outnumber Republicans 5-to-1 on Facebook and 3-to-1 on MySpace, said Bentley College professor Christine Williams, who studies online politics.

"There is a generation gap here that cuts in favor of Barack Obama and against Rudy Giuliani at this point," Williams said.

Obama has drawn 299,000 supporters on the two networks to the 169,000 of his front-running Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, according to techPresident, a Web site that tracks technology and the 2008 election.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards ranks third among Democrats with 64,000 supporters. Edwards has also reached out to lesser-known social networks like Ning, Bebo and Care2.

Among Republicans, Ron Paul leads with 75,000 supporters, though he barely registers in most opinion polls.

Giuliani has drawn only 7,400 supporters on MySpace.

Campaigns will have to work hard to transfer those online friends into votes, said Kathleen Barr, director of research at Rock the Vote.

Dean, notably, was unable to turn strong online financial support into votes in the early primary voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire, hastening his exit from the race eventually won by President George W. Bush.

Minnesota Democrats, however, point to success in last year's midterm elections.

The party was able to easily identify liberal-leaning students through Facebook, said Alex Cutler, a St. Olaf College student who headed the effort. The result was larger-than-expected crowds and a boost for Senate candidate Amy Klobuchar among young voters, he said.

"We were shocked, to be honest," Cutler said. "We didn't know if all these people on Facebook would show up."

Kraft Expresses Blank Support

Robert Kraft: “I feel sorry for Arthur [Blank] because I know it could happen to any one of us. You can see how Arthur could have become enamored with Vick. He's an engaging young man, a great athlete. It's all part of a learning curve as an owner. I've been there. I've made my mistakes in that regard. I don't know how a lot of our players spend their private time. If someone is a really good poker player, they could be living a private life that's very different than what we think. You hope you never get snookered by it. We do as much research as we can, but part of it is just luck. Unfortunately, some time in the future we'll probably be disappointed [by one of our players]. I hope not, but I'm not so arrogant as to believe that it couldn't happen to us.”

Kraft is correct. Blank is not responsible. Upon his drafting, Vick was humble. He epitomized franchise cornerstone. Sadly, his personality materialized. Blank is an exemplary owner. He has improved the Falcons. Hopefully, he will maintain them.

Peyton: My Brother, My Response

Peyton Manning: “I think (Eli) hit it on the head when he said Tiki's made a very nice transition to the media world, and there's some truth to that. Ex-players truly become ex-players right away. When they go (into the media), they feel like they have to criticize players. And maybe that's what they're supposed to do. You don't know. I think quarterbacks are a unique fraternity. I don't think anybody knows what it's like to be a quarterback except a current quarterback. I think sometimes former quarterbacks forget what it's like. It seems like more so the ones in the media. They forget how hard it is and what you have to go through. So I pull for all quarterbacks. You cannot play quarterback at any level, even junior high, without taking a leadership position. Three years in high school, three years starting in college, being in your fourth year (in the NFL) and taking a team to the playoffs twice, you are a leader and you're a good leader. The ones who aren't leaders are the ones who don't make it -- at any level. So, yeah, I think you do get defensive when they get on (issues of leadership); it's supposed to be part of the code, somewhat, teammate to teammate.”

ABC Documentary Predictable, Pedestrian

As previously stated, NASCAR wears a connotation. NASCAR is crude, illiterate, impoverished, redneck, and southern. Truthfully, NASCAR is articulate, corporate, lucrative, polished, and spectacular. Unfortunately, ABC is oblivious.

Last night, I viewed “NACAR in Primetime.” The endeavor was weak. The narrative was both boring and misplaced. The history was mediocre. The insights were nonexistent. Evidently, locating an attractive, non trash female fan was impossible.

ABC had an opportunity. They could have showcased NASCAR. They could have expanded audience. They could have altered stereotypes. Instead, they reinforced them.

Drinking Blame?

Judge John Burlew: “This case upsets me more than anything else, primarily ...with the National Football League. The allegations are that you had a legal substance – alcohol -- in your body, a substance which they advertise from and get money from, millions of dollars a year from...You don't like alcohol, take those Budweiser commercials off TV. Stop selling alcohol in the stadium.”

Judge Burlew is ridiculous. Is NASCAR responsible for alcoholism? They allow commercials and car sponsorships? NASCAR is not responsible. The NFL is not responsible. Fans choose to drink. Thurman chose to drink. Ceasing commercials and stadium sales will solve nothing.

NEW RULE

Las Vegas should quit.

On Wednesday, Harrah’s announced a stadium proposal. Their ambition? A Las Vegas franchise. Las Vegas is a marquee city. They have exemplary accommodations. They have marvelous entertainment. Unfortunately, they are delusional. Recently, the NBA and NHL have endured scandals. Integrity is their priority. Gambling is their nightmare. Las Vegas is a spectacular city. However, they will never be a sports city. They must accept this.

Seattle Deserves Sonics

Aubrey McClendon: “We didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here. We know it's a little more difficult financially here in Oklahoma City, but we think it's great for the community and if we could break even, we'd be thrilled.”

On Thursday, McLendon was fined $250,000. The NBA’s punishment was appropriate. Seattle is a marquee city. The Sonics have declined. However, the fans are not responsible. They should not be penalized.

David Schoenfield: History’s Hundred Greatest Beatdowns

I received an e-mail Wednesday night from a friend saying his wife has been kidding about her passion for the Orioles all these years.

That'll happen when your team suffers one of the worst losses in history.

Here's one writer's opinion of the top 100 beatdowns:

1. Secretariat destroys the field at the 1973 Belmont Stakes by an astonishing 31 lengths to win the Triple Crown ... "He is moving like a TREMENDOUS machine!" A performance so dominating spectators were weeping in the stands.

2. Tiger Woods wins the 2000 U.S. Open by a mind-boggling 15 strokes.

3. 1940 NFL championship: Bears 73, Redskins 0. The Bears had 501 yards of offense, intercepted eight passes and officials had to ask Bears coach George Halas to run or pass for the PAT on the team's final two scores because so many balls had been kicked into the stands.

4. Mike Tyson knocks out Michael Spinks, who had never been knocked to the canvas in his career, in 1 minute, 30 seconds.

5. 1996 Fiesta Bowl: Undefeated Nebraska wipes out undefeated Florida 62-24, rolling up 624 total yards, to win the national title.

6. Super Bowl XX: Bears 46, Patriots 10.

7. Tiger Woods shoots 18-under par to win the 1997 Masters by a record 12 strokes.

8. Rangers 30, Orioles 3. Are you kidding?

9. Billie Jean King over Bobby Riggs.

10. Muhammad Ali over Sonny Liston.

11. Lance Armstrong versus all opponents, 2003 Tour de France, Stage 15.

12. The Boston Massacre: Once down by 14½ games in the 1978 pennant race, the Yankees take over first place from the Red Sox with a four-game sweep in early September, outscoring Boston 42-9.

13. The curse ends: The Red Sox pound the Yankees 10-3 in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS, becoming the first baseball team to rally from a 3-0 series deficit.

14. Sonny at the tollbooth.

15. The original Dream Team versus the world. Average margin of victory, 43.8 points; closest game: 32 points.

16. The Royals beat the Cardinals 11-0 in Game 7 of the 1985 World Series. Bret Saberhagen tosses the 5-hit shutout.

17. The Cardinals beat the Tigers 11-0 in Game 7 of the 1934 World Series, a game marred when Detroit fans littered the field with bottles, fruit and other garbage.

18. 2005 Orange Bowl: USC wins second straight national title with 55-19 win over No. 2 Oklahoma as Matt Leinart tosses five touchdowns.

19. 1990 NCAA title game: UNLV 103, Duke 73. The Blue Devils would get their revenge the following season.

20. Vince Carter over Frederic Weis.

21. Super Bowl XXIV: 49ers 55, Broncos 10.

22. Super Bowl XXVII: Cowboys 52, Bills 17. Would have been worse if not for Leon Lett's gaffe.

23. Game 1, 1985 NBA Finals: Celtics 148, Lakers 114 ...

24. ... but the Lakers win the series in six games, winning their four games by an average of 13 points.

25. "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King": Nominated for 11 Oscars in 2003, it swept all 11 categories. ("Titanic" won 11 of 14 categories in 1997; "Ben Hur" won 11 of 12 in 1959.)

26. 1986 NFC playoffs: Giants 49, 49ers 3 ... Joe Montana gets carted off the field after getting knocked out by Jim Burt.

27. Nolan Ryan over Robin Ventura.

28. Wilt Chamberlain versus the Knicks, March 2, 1962.

29. Mark Spitz, 1972 Olympics.

30. Michael Phelps, 2007 World Championships.

31. 1957 NFL championship: Lions 59, Browns 14.

32. With the most goals in an NHL playoff game, Edmonton pounds Los Angeles 13-3 on April 9, 1987.

33. Road Runner versus Wile E. Coyote.

34. UCLA 101, Houston 69, 1968 national semifinal. Houston, led by Elvin Hayes, had upset the Bruins earlier in the season in front of 52,000 at the Astrodome, but Lew Alcindor got his revenge in the Final Four.

35. Pac-10 versus Big Ten: From 1970 through 1992, the Pac-10 went 19-4 in the Rose Bowl.

36. National League versus American League, 1963-1982: Senior Circuit takes 19 of 20 All-Star Games.

37. American League versus National League, 1997-2007: AL goes 10-0 with one tie.

38. Florida versus Ohio State, 2007.

39. Houston 100, Tulsa 6, 1968. Most points scored against a major college football opponent. Dr. Phil was a linebacker on the Tulsa squad. Coincidence?

40. But Tulsa has the largest margin of victory over a Division I basketball opponent: 141-50 over Prairie View on Dec. 7, 1995.

41. Babe Ruth versus Charlie Root, 1932 World Series.

42. Reggie Jackson versus the Dodgers, Game 6, 1977.

43. Reagan versus Mondale, 1984.

44. The playoffs versus Marty Schottenheimer.

45. Foreman knocks out Frazier. Heavyweight champ "Smokin' Joe" Frazier was a 3-1 favorite over the undefeated George Foreman for their 1973 title bout. Foreman knocked down Frazier six times in less than five minutes, the bout finally stopped at 1:35 of the second round.

46. 1954 NFL championship: Browns 56, Lions 10.

47. John McEnroe beats Jimmy Connors in the 1984 Wimbledon finals, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in just 80 minutes.

48. 1989 World Series: The Bay Area series was a dud as the A's swept the Giants, outscoring them 32-14 and winning each game by at least three runs.

49. 1983 NBA Finals: Moses Malone's Sixers don't quite go "Fo', Fo', Fo'," but they do sweep the Lakers by scores of 113-107, 103-93, 111-94, 115-108.

50. Bo Jackson over Brian Bosworth, Monday Night Football, 1987.

51. The Ice Age over the dinosaurs.

52. 1997 Sugar Bowl: Florida avenges a loss from earlier in the season by beating Florida State 52-20 to capture its first national title.

53. Martina Navratilova versus all comers, 1983: Won 16 of 17 tournaments with a match record of 86-1.

54. Annika Sorenstam versus all comers, 2002: Won 11 tournaments.

55. Richard Petty versus all comers, 1967: Won 27 of 48 races, including 10 in a row.

56. Roger Federer versus all comers, 2006: Goes 92-5, wins 12 tournaments, including three Grand Slam events.

57. LaDainian Tomlinson versus NFL defenses, 2006. Thirty-one touchdowns? Are you kidding?

58. LaDainian Tomlinson versus Texas El-Paso, 1999: NCAA-record 406 yards and six touchdowns.

59. 1990 AFC championship: Bills 51, Raiders 3.

60. 2000 NFC championship: Giants 41, Vikings 0.

61. Minnesota North Stars 15, Winnipeg Jets 2, Nov. 11, 1981.

62. The Indians versus Custer at Little Bighorn, 1876.

63. Eric Heiden versus opposing speed skaters, 1980 Olympics: Heiden sweeps all five races.

64. In the largest margin of victory in an NBA game, Cleveland beat Miami 148-80 on Dec. 17, 1991.

65. Aaron Downey versus Jesse Boulerice: one punch.

66. Before Vince Young became a star, Mack Brown ... lost 63-14 to Oklahoma in 2000

67. ... and 65-13 in 2003.

68. Jerry Rice versus NFL cornerbacks and safeties, 1985-2004.

69. Michigan State 101, Penn 67, 1979 Final Four. The Quakers had made a surprising run to the Final Four but Magic Johnson and company rolled to a 50-17 halftime lead. Magic finished with a 29-10-10 triple-double.

70. Loyola of Chicago 111, Tennessee Tech 42, 1963 NCAA first-round game. Loyola went on to win it all.

71. Kirk Gibson over Dennis Eckersley, Game 1, 1988 World Series.

72. Orel Hershiser over everyone, 1988 playoffs.

73. Super Bowl XXII: Redskins 42, Broncos 10.

74. Jason Bourne versus CIA assassin, "The Bourne Ultimatum."

75. Bill Walton over Memphis, 1973 NCAA championship: Went 21 for 22 to score 44 points.

76. Indians 22, Yankees 0, Aug. 31, 2004: The largest defeat in Yankee history.

77. The NFL versus Ryan Leaf.

78. 1961 NFL championship: Packers 37, Giants 0.

79. Orioles pitchers versus Dodgers hitters, 1966 World Series. Baltimore sweeps as L.A. gets shut out three times and hits .142.

80. Jimmy Connors nearly shuts out Ken Rosewall, 6-1, 6-0, 6-1 to win 1974 U.S. Open.

81. Los Angeles Rams defense versus Seattle Seahawks offense, Nov. 4, 1979: Seattle finishes with -7 yards.

82. Rick Wise versus the Reds, June 2, 1971: No-hits Cincy for the Phillies and hits two home runs.

83. Jacksonville 62, Miami 7, 1999 AFC playoffs. A beatdown so bad it turned out to be the last NFL game for both Dan Marino and Jimmy Johnson.

84. Super Bowl XXIX: 49ers 49, Chargers 26.

85. Angelina Jolie versus Jennifer Aniston.

86. Darren McCarty versus Claude Lemieux.

87. 2001 Fiesta Bowl: The once-pathetic Oregon State Beavers, full of pregame boasts, humiliated Notre Dame 41-9 -- and it could have been worse, as the Beavers were flagged for 18 penalties, many for illegal roughness and cheap shots.

88. Miami 58, Notre Dame 7. In 1985, the Irish suffer the worst defeat in school history in Gerry Faust's final game.

89. Super Bowl XXXV: Ravens 34, Giants 7.

90. The NCAA versus SMU football, 1987.

91. Harry Potter versus Voldemort.

92. Oilers over Islanders, 1984 Stanley Cup Finals: Edmonton ends the Islanders' four year streak as champs by winning the final three games by scores of 7-2, 7-2 and 5-2.

93. Super Bowl XXXVII: Bucs 48, Raiders 21.

94. The 1985 Bears had arrived: 44-0 over the Cowboys.

95. NBA referees versus Sacramento Kings, Game 6, 2002 Western Conference finals: Kings called for 27 fourth-quarter fouls against the Lakers as L.A. pulled out a 106-102 victory.

96. Boston Tea Party, Dec. 16, 1773: American colonists destroy crates of tea, spark revolution.

97. LeBron James versus Detroit Pistons, Game 5, 2007 Eastern Conference finals: scores team's final 25 points in double-overtime victory.

98. 1956 NFL championship: Giants 47, Bears 7.

99. Game 3, 1998 NBA Finals: Bulls 96, Jazz 54.

100. Georgia Tech 222, Cumberland 0. Yes, college football's most prestigious award is named after a coach who once ran up the score on tiny Cumberland College in 1916. There is a background story here: Cumberland had discontinued its football team before the season, but Tech held Cumberland to its scheduling agreement (otherwise Cumberland would have had to pay Tech $3,000), so the tiny school from Lebanon, Tenn., sent a scrub team of 14 players. It wasn't pretty as Cumberland had 15 turnovers. Beatdown? This was more like bad sportsmanship. Shame on you, John Heisman.

Wells Worthless

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed David Wells. Wells is abrasive, offensive, and rude. He is also ancient. He has deteriorated. He has become a liability. Simply stated, the Dodgers have made a mistake.

Michael Arkush: Improving the PGA Playoffs

Dear Mr. Finchem:

I look forward to the playoffs in every sport, even hockey, but, with all due respect Mr. Commissioner, the system you and your highly devoted staff in Ponte Vedra devised – the FedEx Cup playoffs – isn't very exciting. For one thing, my enthusiasm, like many I suppose, is reserved for golf's four majors, the Ryder Cup, the Players and maybe a handful of other special events.

Don't misunderstand me. I'm pleased the season will conclude in late September instead of November, but it's still too late. There will be more attention focused on Philip Rivers than Phil Mickelson. Besides, eight months of the PGA Tour is more than enough.

Unlike a lot of naysayers, however, here are a few suggestions to improve the PGA Tour playoffs.

FORMAT

One-hundred forty-four players is way too many for a postseason's opening round. Compare it to the other sports. If there are approximately 200 professionals who compete fairly regularly (at least 17 starts) on the tour, then roughly 75 percent are being allowed to participate in the playoffs. That would be akin to affording 23 of baseball's 30 teams a chance to capture the World Series, or 24 of the 32 NFL squads the opportunity to win the Super Bowl.

While it would take a torrid stretch by a player near the bottom of the standings to win it all, it could happen, and that doesn't seem fair. It would be like the Baltimore Orioles winning 11 in a row and suddenly becoming World Series champions.

Only the top 64 money winners should be eligible for the first round. Looking at this season's standings that would exclude such notable names as Davis Love III, Mike Weir, and Chris DiMarco. So what? Do these three really belong in the playoffs? What precisely have they accomplished in 2007? Between them, in 60 starts, they've recorded only six top 10s.

Making the playoffs should be difficult, but determining who advances shouldn't be tough. That's why it's important you figure out a less complicated points system for the first two rounds. Even Stephen Hawking would have trouble keeping track of the FedEx Cup points.

For the first leg, slice the list from 64 to 32. Again, that would eliminate a lot of big names but that's the price for poor performance in any format. Then, for the second round, cut the list from 32 to 16, setting up the possibility of a very dramatic conclusion.

For the Tour Championship, use strictly match play over a four-day period. Either way, the final would almost surely be a battle between two of the world's greatest players. We won't wind up with a dud like the World Match Play has produced too often in the past.

Also, limit the final duel to 18 holes, not 36, and please, please, please no consolation match. Nobody cares who takes third place.

As for the prize money, it doesn't matter how many zeroes you put up there for the winner. Does anyone know how much Tiger made for winning the PGA? Of course not. But they do know he won his 13th major.

VENUE

The final event requires a great setting every year. This year's courses for the playoffs (Westchester, TPC Boston, Cog Hill, East Lake) are top-notch facilities, but if you polled golf fans, very few could describe in detail a single hole on any of those courses. Keeping them in the rotation for the first two rounds is fine, but the last event should be held every year at a course people recognize – courses like Pebble Beach, Riviera, Sawgrass, etc.

Of course, the tour might have to cough up a lot of dough to secure use of those courses for a whole week, but it would be worth it. Picture this: Tiger and Phil are all square as they reach the famous par-3 17th island hole at Sawgrass. The wind would be blowing.

The tension would build. The ratings would be huge.

TIMING

Why not end the season on the first week of September instead of the third? This way, you won't conflict with the launch of the NFL season, the 800-pound gorilla in pro sports. Start the playoffs the week after the PGA Championship to give the final major of the year more drama. Also at stake would be the remaining berths in the first round of the playoffs.

A major championship is an intense experience, and no doubt some of the premier players may prefer to rest the following week. But that didn't stop the tour in the past from holding a World Golf Championship event immediately after the PGA. Besides, next year the Tour Championship will take place the week before the Ryder Cup at Valhalla. How are players on both sides possibly going to have enough energy left for that intense spectacle?

Also, three tournaments, instead of the current four, are plenty. If it were only three, perhaps a certain new dad from Orlando wouldn't have skipped the first FedEx Cup event.

So I hope you consider these ideas, Mr. Commissioner. There is no reason the playoffs in professional golf shouldn't be a late summer classic. With my postseason setup, you'd have one.

Sincerely,
Michael Arkush
Yahoo! Sports

Yahoo’s Top Ten Online Dating Mistakes

For every valuable tip out there on how to date online, there are probably two mistakes to avoid. Keep away from the 10 listed here and you'll boost your success rate considerably.

Mistake #10: Thinking That Your Great Date Actually Meant Something

Have you ever had a man say how much he likes you, how sexy you are, and how he's serious about finding a long-term relationship? Ever have an amazing date where the chemistry was great, the conversation flowed, and you hooked up with him afterwards?

Have you ever had a man do all of these things and then NOT call? No, you're not crazy or delusional.

Your mistake is thinking that what a man says on a date actually means something. It doesn't. It means he's being in the moment. So don't put too much weight on a great date. The only way you can tell how a man REALLY feels about you is by how quickly he follows up for another date.

Mistake #9: Ignoring Your Own Intuition

How many times have you been across a table from some guy, wishing that you'd rather be anywhere else on earth? How many times have you felt deceived, angered, manipulated, or just plain turned off by the man in front of you?

Now, how many times have you considered that it was actually your fault that he was sitting there?

I'm not blaming you. I've been there myself. But the common denominator in all your bad dates is not the awful men themselves, but YOU. If you find yourself losing hope that there are any great guys out there, do yourself a favor and only go out with men who truly interest you. Instead of meeting total strangers, filter out men by email and phone.

This strategy will prevent most bad dates before they happen.

Mistake #8: Waiting for Men to Write You First

Have you ever sat in front of your computer, reading emails from losers, and asked yourself why the winners never write to you? You look at your favorites list and wish you could say hi to them, but you know better. It's tradition: men approach women. And you wouldn't want to come across as desperate. After all, what guy wants a woman who's so needy that she has to write to him first?

Actually, all men do. We love it. If you have a good photo, an original profile and you write a confident email, most guys will drop everything they're doing to talk to you.

Mistake #7: Expecting Him to Tell the Truth in His Profile

You don't like to be lied to. Nobody does. And once you've gone out with a man who claimed to be 5'9" but is really 5'5", it's hard to keep dating. But haven't you ever done the same thing? The typical woman exaggerates her height by one inch and lowers her weight by 20 pounds. And it's not just a coincidence that the most popular ages for women on dating sites are 29, 39, 44 and 49.

You want to be given a chance. You don't want to be judged before you meet. And you're insecure that telling the truth won't get you in the door against younger, thinner women.

So if there are good reasons why an honest woman might be tempted to misrepresent herself, wouldn't it make sense that an honest man might be tempted to do the same thing?

Mistake #6: Thinking You're Now Dating the Man You've Met Online

Have you ever gone on an amazing date and saw that he was online right afterwards?

Have you ever emailed a man who seemed interested then suddenly disappeared? Have you ever gotten intimate with a man who never called again?

You're not alone. All of these things are common in the world of online dating. So instead of taking it as a personal rejection each time a man comes and goes, take a step back. Think of all the guys who have written to you that you weren't interested in. Imagine all of them taking it personally. It's ridiculous.

It's easy to forget how many choices men have. It's easy to forget how many other women they're contacting. And if you think that you're exclusive with every new guy that gets you excited, you're in for a lot of disappointment.

Mistake #5: Meeting for a Coffee Date to Save Time

Have you ever spent a month getting to know someone online and discovered on the date that they were a real-life dud? I have. I remember vowing not to waste that kind of time on a stranger ever again. You probably did, too. You probably started meeting guys right away to make sure that you had that "in-person chemistry." And at some point, on your tenth (or twentieth) bad date, you probably asked yourself, "Why do I even bother?"

Online dating is NOT about meeting men as quickly as possible. Moving quickly means there is no screening. There is no getting-to-know-you process. You might as well have cute men at a bar pick a number to meet you. The ONLY way to enjoy online dating is by going out with fewer men. It's far better to go on one comfortable date on a Friday night than five blind coffee dates during the week.

Mistake #4: Expecting That You'll Succeed Online Because You're a Catch

You're sweet. You're fun. You're attractive. You have no trouble meeting men in real life. You figure that with all your good qualities, online dating should be a piece of cake.

Except that's not how it's worked out. The only guys contacting you look like they've been let out of jail or a retirement home. There have to be better men out there. Then how come they aren't writing?

Simple. Any man who you think is a great catch has hundreds of options. And when a guy has that many choices, he's often going to search for younger women. Why? Because he can. So forget these guys and their unrealistic Playboy fantasies. Mr. Right is the man who wants YOU. Focus your attentions on the men who are searching for you, instead of the ones who aren't, and you'll have far greater success.

Mistake #3: Trying to Stop the "Wrong" Men From Writing to You

Have you ever had a profile that just seemed to attract all the wrong men? You want a man who is attractive, successful and honest, and all you get are ugly unemployed guys who lie about their height. So, to stop them from wasting your time, you decide to spell it out in your profile: "If you're over the age of 50, live in another state, or have a substance abuse problem, don't even bother writing". And yet they STILL keep on contacting you!

What can you possibly do to stop these annoying men who can't read?

Nothing. Ignore them. But don't try to stop them. After all, if you have any standards, most of your emails are going to be from the "wrong" guys. That's okay. They're allowed to write to you. And you're allowed to delete their email. As a quality woman, you're going to get all sorts of men who are interested in you. Your job isn't to scare away the bad guys, it's to attract the good ones. And profiles with negative warnings to the "wrong" men only make YOU sound bad.

Mistake #2: Signing Up for a One-Month Subscription

Even though you know how difficult it is to find a soul mate, you signed up for a one-month subscription on a dating site. One month! You're going to fall in love before you get your next phone bill! Clearly, you've created an unrealistic timetable. So while you may not want to date online forever, you're shortchanging yourself if you act as if you have only 30 days to find a husband.

Remind yourself why you started dating online -- it's hard to meet people in real life.And quitting is not an option.

Mistake #1: Searching for the Right Dating Site

If a girlfriend told you that her biggest problem in losing weight was that she couldn't find the right gym, you'd probably shake your head. You know that it's not the gym but your friend's dedication to using the gym that makes all the difference. Yet you may think that you can cure your dating blues just by choosing the right website. Newsflash: ANY website with lots of single men can be the right website; your success is ultimately determined by how you use that site.

You can use Yahoo! to search all day long to find a place that is populated with tall, honest, successful men. But at the end of the day, it's not the site that will determine your fate. It's you. The question is how committed you are to turning yourself into a success story.

I'm also now offering you personal daily advice, which you can have delivered straight to your inbox, if you subscribe for free on my blog at evanmarckatz.com.

C-Motivation?

On Thursday, the Detroit Tigers traded outfielder Craig Monroe to the Chicago Cubs. Once, Monroe was a premiere prospect. Unfortunately, his statistics have never equaled expectations. Obvious question, can he resurrect his career?

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you use to be the PGA playoffs?

According to a study, seniors enjoy a healthy sex life. Officially, Hugh Heffner is my hero.

In New York, police were off duty. They were partying at Hooters. You thought they were rubbing out crime.

Vick’s Guilty, Race Irrelevant

R.L. White: “As a society, we should aid in his rehabilitation and welcome a new Michael Vick back into the community without a permanent loss of his career in football. We further ask the NFL, Falcons, and the sponsors not to permanently ban Mr. Vick from his ability to bring hours of enjoyment to fans all over this country. At this point, you're not looking at guilt or innocence. You're thinking, 'What I better do is cut my losses and take a plea.' But if he saw this as the best thing to do at this point for his future, then I think he made the correct choice. Some have said things to save their own necks. Michael Vick has received more negative press than if he had killed a human being. His crime is, it was a dog.”

The NAACP’s comments were disgusting. We should aid rehabilitation and welcome Michael Vick? Vick is pleading guilty. His crimes were brutal. America is not responsible. Vick should rehabilitate himself. Do not permanently ban him? Vick’s career is finished. The human death argument? This rational is repugnant. I revere the NAACP. However, they must learn. Vick may be black. However, he does not deserve defense.

Puppy Murderer

During the Michael Vick investigation, fifty-three pit bulls were seized. These dogs cannot be rehabilitated. They will be euthanized. Vick warrants excoriation. His actions were reprehensible. Essentially, he facilitated multiple murders.

Nuclear Aversion

Gregory Schulte: “Iran is clearly trying to take the attention from its continued development of bomb-making capabilities, and I don't think the Security Council will be distracted. We are continuing to move forward with other members of the Security Council on a third resolution. If Iran's leaders truly want the world's trust, they would ... start to cooperate fully and unconditionally and suspend activities of international concerns.”

The Chief Delegate is correct. Iran is disingenuous. If Iran coveted trust, they could cease enrichment. They could allow inspectors. Unfortunately, Iran will never relent. They cannot be trusted.

Western Mash

Garrett Anderson
4 hits, 2 home runs, 10 rbi

Texas Rangers
30 runs, 29 hits

Preserving Sports Pearls

Ernie Harwell: “In America, we have a tendency to knock down anything that's over 30 years old and make a parking lot out of it. Whereas in Europe, they preserve all these beautiful buildings and structures that have a history. I sort of like the European approach.”

Harwell is correct. Americans should revere history. The Cotton Bowl, the Orange Bowl, and Tiger Stadium are not relics. They are national treasures. Not every stadium should be salvaged. However, tradition is valuable. America has sufficient parking.

Rawlings All-Time Gold Glove Team

Catcher: Johnny Bench (10 Gold Gloves)
First Base: Wes Parker (6 Gold Gloves)
Second Base: Joe Morgan (5 Gold Gloves)
Shortstop: Ozzie Smith (13 Gold Gloves)
Third Base: Brooks Robinson (16 Gold Gloves)
Outfield: Willie Mays (12 Gold Gloves)
Outfield: Roberto Clemente (12 Gold Gloves)
Outfield: Ken Griffey Jr. (10 Gold Gloves)
Pitcher: Greg Maddux (16 Gold Gloves)

NEW RULE

Protesting does not advance your cause.

During the North American Summit, protestors demonstrated. Of course, they rioted. These morons are ridiculous. They may be articulate. How will rioting advance them? Bottles and tomatoes will not earn respect. They will earn incarceration. These pot heads know this. Why act oblivious?

Yahoo’s Top Ten Money Wasters

1. Coffee -- According to the National Coffee Association, the average price for brewed coffee is $1.38. There are roughly 260 weekdays per year, so buying one coffee every weekday morning costs almost $360 per year.

2. Cigarettes -- The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids reports that the average price for a pack of cigarettes in the United States is $4.54. Pack-a-day smokers fork out $1,660 a year. Weekend smoker? Buying a pack once a week adds up, too: $236.

3. Alcohol -- Drink prices vary based on the location. But assuming an average of $5 per beer including tip, buying two beers per day adds up to $3,650 per year. Figure twice that for two mixed drinks a day at the local bar. That's not chump change.

4. Bottled water from convenience stores -- A 20-ounce bottle of Aquafina bottled water costs about $1. One bottle of water per day costs $365 per year. It costs the environment plenty, too.

5. Manicures -- The Day Spa Magazine Price Survey of 2004 found that the average cost of a manicure is $20.53. A weekly manicure sets you back about $1,068 per year.

6. Car washes -- The average cost for a basic auto detailing package is $58, according to Costhelper.com. The tab for getting your car detailed every two months: $348 per year.

7. Weekday lunches out -- $9 will generally cover a decent lunch most work days. If you buy rather than pack a lunch five days a week for one year, you shell out about $2,350 a year.

8. Vending machines snacks -- The average vending machine snack costs $1. Buy a pack of cookies every afternoon at work and pay $260 per year.

9. Interest charges on credit card bills -- According to a survey released at the end of May 2007, the median amount of credit card debt carried by Americans is $6,600. Rate tables on Bankrate.com indicate that fixed interest rates on a standard card average 13.44 percent. Making the minimum payment each month, it will take 250 months (almost 21 years) to pay off the debt and cost $4,868 in interest. Ouch.

10. Unused memberships -- Costhelper.com reports that the monthly service fee at gyms averages between $35 and $40. At $40 per month, an unused gym membership runs $480 per year.

Worth A Read

Dawgs By Nature

Blogging the Cleveland Browns. Excellent training camp features.

Second Season Deserved

On Wednesday, the Baltimore Orioles retained Dave Trembley. Following Sam Perlozzo’s firing, Joe Girardi rebuked Baltimore. Subsequently, they have slightly improved. Why not extend Trembley?

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you use to be Eli Manning’s teammate?

According to police, a naked woman has been assaulting people with a hammer. Poor Lindsay Lohan.

This weekend, tourists spotted Kevin Federline. He was throwing gang signs. There is a gang sign for unemployed?

Seriously? Mistakes Encouraged?

From Yahoo:

If there's a sign of the times in college admissions, it may be this: Steven Roy Goodman, an independent college counselor, tells clients to make a small mistake somewhere in their application — on purpose.

"Sometimes it's a typo," he says. "I don't want my students to sound like robots. It's pretty easy to fall into that trap of trying to do everything perfectly and there's no spark left."

What Goodman is going for is "authenticity" — an increasingly hot selling point in college admissions as a new year rolls around.

In an age when applicants all seem to have volunteered, played sports and traveled abroad, colleges are wary of slick packaging. They're drawn to high grades and test scores, of course, but also to humility and to students who really got something out of their experiences, not just those trying to impress colleges with their resume.

The trend seemingly should make life easier for students — by reducing the pressure to puff up their credentials. But that's not always the case.

For some students, the challenge of presenting themselves as full, flawed people cuts against everything else they've been told about applying to college — to show off as much as possible.

At the other extreme, when a college signals what it's looking for, students inevitably try to provide it. So you get some students trying to fake authenticity, to package themselves as unpackaged.

"There's a little bit of an arms race going on," says Goodman, who is based in Washington. "If I'm being more authentic than you are, you have to be more authentic next month to keep up with the Joneses."

Colleges say what they want is honest, reflective students. As Jess Lord, dean of admission and financial aid at Haverford College in Pennsylvania puts it, "everybody's imperfect."

"Since that's true for all (students), those that portray that aspect of themselves are that much more authentic."

How do colleges find authenticity? They look for evidence of interests and passions across the application — in essays, interviews, recommendations and extracurricular activities.

"What we see are the connections," said Christopher Gruber, dean of admission and financial aid at Davidson College in North Carolina. If a student claims working in student government has been a meaningful experience, it's a more credible claim if recommenders have picked on that as well.

"That, in my mind, gives authenticity to an application, when you're reading things more than once," Gruber said.

But in the age of the hyper-achieving student, authenticity doesn't always come easy. Some schools, such as MIT, now specifically ask students to write about disappointment or failure. Many can only come up with a predictable and transparent answer: perfectionism.

Will Dix, a counselor at the University of Chicago Laboratory High School, who also spent eight years in the Amherst College admissions office, struggles to persuade students that essays about doubt and uncertainty can be at least as interesting to admissions officers as those with a conclusion that's sweeping but implausibly confident for a 17-year-old.

"No one expects you to solve the mystery of life," Dix says. "I sometimes get in trouble with parents for advising that. They'll say, '(colleges) will think he doesn't know anything.'"

Dix counters by paraphrasing Socrates via Donald Rumsfeld: "The first thing is to know what you don't know."

Susan Weingartner, another former admissions officer and now college counseling director at Chicago's Francis W. Parker School, surveys her juniors about shortcomings and weaknesses. The next year, those now-seniors often are unsure what to write about.

She digs up their junior-year responses, where they often find their topic — like one student last year who ultimately wrote a moving essay about his experience being overweight.

Weingartner has noticed more students writing about being gay. Some pull it off, coming across as honest, humble and reflective about the challenges they've faced. But others raise alarm bells by appearing to be traumatized or just looking for sympathy.

The challenge for students is a tough one to get your mind around: If you're authentic, you feel pressure to rise above the fakers. But try too hard to do that, then you just appear to be, well, inauthentic.

Dix summarizes the logical muddle the student is in: "As soon as you ask someone to be authentic it's impossible to be authentic."

Goodman, the independent counselor who advises making a small mistake to look authentic, unapologetically tries to hit the right note of authenticity: be true enough to make the full application consistent and credible, but also give colleges what they want to hear. He compares it to a politician who has learned to give a stump speech that makes every audience feel like it's new.

And he defends the tactic with a point that several admissions deans frankly acknowledge: Colleges are guilty of playing games with authenticity, too.

"They soften their image with pictures of kids under trees, smiling in front of the library, engaging with a professor in a small group discussion," Goodman says. What's the difference between a college trying to look good to students and the reverse?

David Lesesne, dean of admission at Sewanee, a small Tennessee liberal arts college, admits Goodman has a point.

"Students perhaps have become less authentic to themselves, trying to be what colleges want," Lesesne said. But colleges have done the same. Schools "are looking to draw more applicants and students are looking to gain acceptance," he said. "As those numbers grow I think that has caused both sides of the equation to lose a little focus on what should be most important: the match."

Vick: Post Criminal Career?

Unknown NFL General Manager: “If he goes to prison, time will pass. Months or years will pass, if he does go to jail. If he went to jail, and then left prison down the road, he'd still be relatively young, and there'd be a line of 15 to 20 teams waiting to sign him. Trust me on that. Teams are going to say, 'F--- PETA. F--- the bad pub. This guy is one of the most talented players of the last 10 years. I'll take my chances.”

This General Manager is a coward. He is also absurd. Vick’s actions were reprehensible. His crimes were egregious. Vick is a criminal. He is a public relations nightmare. Talent cannot trump this. No franchise will want him. Simply stated, this General Manager is ridiculous. Vick’s career is finished.

Teammates Discuss, Diss Vick

Keith Brooking: “This is unprecedented. It's never happened before. For us to sit here and try to reconcile that or put it all in perspective, it's very confusing.”

Alge Crumpler: “Michael is a human being. People have been trying to dehumanize him. But he's hurting. I know that. Believe me, he's hurting. Michael is loyal to a fault. I think that really hurt him in this situation. I try to send him a positive note every day. I want to make sure he keeps his head up.”

Warrick Dunn: “He's not on the team. That pretty much makes him an ex-teammate. It's disturbing, obviously. That someone of his caliber would be associated with that is the troubling part.”