Hope or Hyperventilate?

In February, 651,000 jobs were lost. Is anyone optimistic?

Seminole Sentence

On Friday, Florida State received four years probation. On December 22, 2007, I advocated severe punishment. I applaud the NCAA.

Daly’s Dreadful Diagnosis

On Friday, Chuck Daly disclosed his pancreatic cancer. The Daly family has our thoughts and prayers.

Rational Anxiety

On Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 281.40 points. Anyone not terrified?

Reverend Wright Rational?

Jeremiah Wright: “He's like any other president. He's a politician and he's got to do what politicians do. Barack's name ain't Jesus. Barack ain't gonna improve your child's reading score. There are things we've got to do on our own.”

Reality at Eight

American Idol: On Thursday, Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, and Jasmine Murray advanced. Do Kara, Paula, Randy, and Simon abhor talent?

Survivor: Following seven consecutive losses, Timbira garnered immunity. Sandy was penalized. Via a 5-1-1 vote, she was eliminated.

Unbridled Negligence

United Nations General Assembly President Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann: “The aggressions against Iraq and Afghanistan and their occupations constitute atrocities that must be condemned and repudiated by all who believe in the rule of law in international relations.”

Gibbs Rips Rush, Chides Cramer

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs: “Do they want to see the president's economic agenda fail? You know, I bet there are a number of guests on television throughout the day and maybe into tomorrow who could let America know whether -- whether they agree with what Rush Limbaugh said this weekend. You know, I'd like to think, and I think most people would like to think, that we can put aside our differences and get things done for the American people. We'll say, in watching a few cable clips of Mr. Limbaugh's speech, his notion of presidential failures seemed to be quite popular in the room in which he spoke.”

“If you turn on a certain program, it's geared to a very small audience, no offense to my good friends or friend at CNBC.”

Shaq Filets Former Coach

Shaquille O’Neal: “I heard his comment. Flopping to me is doing it more than one time, and I realized when I tried to take the charge, as I went down, I realized that that play reminded me of his whole coaching career. And one thing I really despise is a front-runner, so I know for a fact that he's a master of panic, and when it gets time for his team to go in the postseason and do certain things, he will let them down because of his panic. I've been there before, I've played for him. Like I said, one thing I really hate is a front-runner, and I despise front-runners. Flopping is playing like that your whole career. I was trying to take the charge, trying to get a call. It probably was a flop, but flopping is the wrong use of words. Flopping would describe his career. I'm not going to just sit abound and let nobodies take shots at me, and he is a nobody to me. And if he thinks he can get in a little press conference and take shots at me like I'm not going to [give] something back, he's got another thing coming. I said I flopped, but flopping is falling and crying and complaining to the ref. I tried to take a charge. The rules say when a guy comes into your chest and you fall, that's an offensive foul, and that's all I tried to do. I fell, didn't complain, he made a great move, spun and dunked it, but flopping is the wrong choice of words. So that's all I've got to say about that, but again, I despise frontrunners, I despise them. And that's what he is to me.”

Stan Van Gundy: “Whatever. I don't know ... that's his estimation of my coaching. I'm not going to worry about it too much. Actually, that [Shaq's criticism] puts me in good company, very good company. He's taken shots at Phil Jackson and Pat Riley, so maybe I should consider it an honor.”

Another Inadequacy

On Wednesday, Scott MacIntyre, Jorge Nunez, and Lil Rounds advanced. Nunez and Rounds’ advancements were acceptable. MacIntyre’s was not. Von Smith should have proceeded.

Penguins Restructure, Pray Repetition

On Wednesday, the New York Islanders traded Bill Guerin to the Pittsburgh Penguins. As reciprocation, the Islanders received a draft selection. This exchange is intriguing. Last season, the Penguins acquired Marian Hossa. They won the Eastern Conference championship. Guerin will not replicate this.

Economic Three-Vision

President Obama: “What you're now seeing is a profit and earnings ratios get to the point that buying stocks is a good thing if you have a long-term perspective on it. The stock market is story of like a tracking poll in politics. It bobs up and down day-to-day. And if you spend all your time worrying about that, then you're probably going to get the long-term strategy wrong. There are a lot of losses that are working their way through the system and it's not surprising the market is hurting as a consequence. We dug a very deep hole for ourselves. There were a lot of bad decisions that were made. We are cleaning up that mess. It's going to be sort of full of fits and starts, in terms of getting the mess cleaned up, but it's going to get cleaned up. And we are going to recover, and we are going to emerge more prosperous, more unified, and I think more protected from systemic risk.”

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke: “We are better off moving aggressively today to solve our economic problems. The alternative could be a prolonged episode of economic stagnation that would not only contribute to further deterioration in the fiscal situation, but would also imply lower output, employment, and incomes for an extended period.”

American Idol Live Blog

Von Smith (22 – Missouri)

Finally! He is attractive. He is charismatic. He can sing. After twenty-four also-rans, we have a superstar. His performance is flawless. He appears relaxed. His emotion translates. One contestant. One advancement.

Taylor Vaifanua (16 – Utah)

Her song selection is apocryphal. Her wardrobe is worse. Clothes should flatter. Her clothes inflate. The performance improves. Her chorus is stellar. Unfortunately, the aesthetics are putrid. Simon is also correct. The endeavor was generic.

Alex Wagner-Trugman (19 – California)

“I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” was a favorite. Sadly, I can never listen again. He is horrific. He oversings. He screams. He is akin to suffering cat. Simon is correct. The growling was ridiculous. He was stupid.

Arianna Afsar (16 – California)

She is gorgeous. Her vocals are impressive. Unfortunately, her song selection is reprehensible. No one will remember this. She is teenager. The tempo screamed geriatric. She may advance. However, I would not predict this.

Ju'Not Joyner (26 – Maryland)

He is elegant. He is soulful. Unfortunately, “Hey There Delilah” is animated and sporadic. This is contestant’s problem. They do not convey. They do not relate. They attempt reinterpretation. American does not want this. America will not advance him.

Kristen McNamara (22 – California)

She should own the conversation. Sadly, her appearance is questionable. Her song selection is terrible. American Idol’s flabby divas have not sold. She could advance. However, she must improve her vocals. She must shed the maternity.

Nathaniel Marshall (18 – New York)

He channels Meatloaf. Bloated, creepy, and unattractive. His commencement is acceptable. However, he is sans emotion. For his appearance, passion was required. Performance was required. His performance was negligible. His performance was non-existent.

Felicia Barton (26 – Virginia)

Alicia Keys phoned. She requested her song catalog. This performance is adequate. She does not oversing. Her emotion transcends the moment. She is controlled. She is relatable. She should advance.

Scott MacIntyre (23 – Arizona)

His commencement is awkward. His transition and conclusion are worse. “Mandolin Rain” is a scattered and soulful. He is weak and whaling. You cannot force passion. He attempted this. He should not advance.

Kendall Beard (23 – Texas)

She is gorgeous. Her song selection is spectacular. She should excel. Tragically, her personality is insipid. Her vocals are irritating. She channels the chipmunks. I hope she advances. However, she should not. Simon is correct. Shrill.

Jorge Nuñez (20 - Puerto Rico)

He channels George Michael. His performance is not perfect. He oversings slightly. However, his emotion is palpable. He should advance.

Lil Rounds (23 – Tennessee)

Her performance is grand. Her rear is gargantuan. She does not oversing. Her emotion transcends the moment. She is exemplary. She should rethink her fashion.

Steele Assertive Until Rush Roars

RNC Chairman Michael Steele (Saturday): “Rush Limbaugh, his whole thing is entertainment. Yes, it's incendiary. Yes, it's ugly.”

Rush Limbaugh: “Why are you running the Republican Party? Why do you claim you lead the Republican Party when you seem obsessed with seeing to it that President Obama succeeds? ... I would be embarrassed to say that I'm in charge of the Republican Party in the sad-sack state that it's in. If I were chairman of the Republican Party, given the state that it's in, I would quit.”

RNC Chairman Michael Steele (Monday): “To the extent that my remarks helped the Democrats in Washington to take the focus, even for one minute, off of their irresponsible expansion of government, I truly apologize. I respect Rush Limbaugh, he is a national conservative leader, and in no way do I want to diminish his voice. I’m sure that he and I will agree most of the time, but will probably disagree some as well, which is fine. The Democrats are doing everything they can to find ways to take people's attention off of their massive 36-billion-dollar-a-day spending spree that Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have embarked on. To the extent that my remarks helped the Democrats in Washington to take the focus, even for one minute, off of their irresponsible expansion of government, I truly apologize.”

HH Success?

On Monday, President Obama announced Kathleen Sebelius (Secretary of Health and Human Services). “Kathleen Sebelius embodies such a commitment to bipartisan accomplishment,” said Obama. “As governor of Kansas, she inherited a billion-dollar deficit, but by eliminating waste and inefficiency while making smart choices, she balanced the state budget without raising taxes. And time and again, on energy and education, jobs and health care, she's bridged the partisan divide and worked with a Republican legislature to get things done for the people of Kansas.”

Since 2003, Sebelius has been a Governor. “Now, the decision to leave my job in Kansas as governor of the great Sunflower State is not easy,” said Sebelius. “But you, Mr. President, reminded me it's possible to help Kansas and help the United States at the same time. I can think of no great honor than to join you in this effort to transform our health care system and improve the lives of all Americans.”

Sebelius’ nomination is impressive. She epitomizes bipartisanship and compromise. She projects pragmatism and trust. Hopefully, she will not mirror Tom Daschle and Judd Gregg.

President Obama Complete Text

Capitol Damage: Redskins Release Taylor

Theoretically, reputations assess respect. They are established. One moment cannot rescind them. One response cannot reverse them. One season cannot revoke them.

On Monday, the Washington Redskins released Jason Taylor. “Jason Taylor was a real professional during his time with the Redskins,” said Coach Jim Zorn. “He played hurt, but still gave his best effort to be prepared and play hard every week. We wish him and his family the very best.”

On July 20, the Miami Dolphins traded Taylor to the Redskins. As reciprocation, the Dolphins received two draft selections. In 2007, Taylor tallied 56 tackles and 11 sacks. In 2008, he totaled only 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Prior to “Dancing with the Stars,” Taylor was an exemplary professional. Since, he has been acquired and discarded. Taylor’s struggle is unfortunate. He is not Keyshawn Johnson. He is not Terrell Owens. His reputation should reflect this.

The Big Five

For reasons good and bad… they were the news.

The Hot Five

A quintet of sizzling conversation starters.

Line of the Morning

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

“President Obama is, is somewhat more analytical and he makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue. And if they don't speak up, he calls on them. President Bush was interested in hearing different points of view but didn't go out of his way to make sure everybody spoke if they hadn't, if they hadn't spoken up before.”