Cool Spider-Man Rumor

If people thought Sam Raimi was joking when he said between watching The Dark Night and making Drag Me To Hell he's recharged for another Spider-Man film, check this bit of juicy fruit: Julia Stiles may be the Black Cat in the next flick.

I have one small quibble, though:

Personally, she'd be a great fit. Stiles is an underrated actress and unlike [Rachel] McAdams (who's about to star in the upcoming Sherlock Holmes), hasn't had a leading lady role in a franchise film. Yeah, we saw her in Bourne, but playing Black Cat would get her out from behind a computer screen and bouncing across building tops!

First of all, has it been confirmed that Kirstin Dunst is fired? (Actually, the better question would be: if Dunst is still in the next film, will she have a media-melt-down like Gwenyth Paltrow did when it was revealed that Scarlett Johansson was going to be Black Widow for Iron Man 2?) Second of all: To be honest, there really aren't that many franchise movies out there, and most cater to a male audience anyway (read: not a lot of female characters outside "love interest"). Movies like, say, The Bourne Franchise. Nevertheless, Julia Stiles is no rookie when it comes to being the leading female.

Pick a Lineup, Any Lineup

Upon reflection on the Wizards-Cavaliers game, I realized the biggest boon to Washington may not necessarily be offensive. After all, they have very capable scorers in Arenas, Butler, Jamison, Miller, Foye, Young, and Blatche. And while the team needs the Tri-Force to win the big games, a lighter roster should be more than capable of putting away the scrubs.

No, the most significant change for the Wizards is their defensive potential. Consider the following lineups (going in order from PG to C, in in cases when more than one player can work, the preferred player goes first):

1. Traditional Lineup: Crittenton/Arenas, Stevenson, Butler, Oberto, Haywood. Your standard NBA lineup...I say "standard" because as good and valuable as he is, Jamison is not a traditional power forward.
2. You Want Small-ball? I Got Yer "Small-ball" Right Here: Boykins, Arenas/Foye, Stevenson, Jamison, Blatche/Oberto. There are still those teams (they usually have no reliable post players) that will try to go small. Let 'em.
   
3. Let's Get Physical: Boykins, Stevenson, Butler, McGuire, Oberto. This is the closest we have to a rough-'em-up lineup; if the squad ever gets into a rock fight, I'd really like to see these five on the floor together.
   
4. Stand Tall: Arenas/Stevenson, Miller/Butler, Butler/McGuire, Blatche/Oberto, Haywood/McGee. Sure, we could start Haywood and McGee, but i wanted to be somewhat realistic; neither has the offensive skills to play power forward for a significant length of time.
   
5. The Best Defense Is A Good Offense: Arenas, Foye, Miller, Jamison, Blatche. If I ever hear an announcer say, "And the Wizards are on a 20-point run!" this is the squad I imagine seeing.
   
6. All A-board: Miller, Butler, Jamison, Blatche, Haywood. So far, they are the team's best rebounders. If the coach wants a board, this is the group that can do it.

The possibilities are almost endless; just about any man-to-man or zone defense can be utilized. My hope is that the Wizards can get opposing teams to about 95 ppg by January.

Obama Wants Children to Play

The nerve of this guy.

Compare And Contrast

Charles Krauthammer: Even though I believed that the George Bush/Donald Rumsfeld-led war in Iraq was never going to have any significant setbacks at all, I have little-to-no confidence in the American judicial system.

Eugene Robinson: The odds that Khalid Sheik Mohammed will be doing "Jihad Hero" during his trial, or even escape like a Batman villain out of Arkham Asylum is very unlikely.

One (Of Many) Reasons I Don't Watch Chick Flicks

Thank you, Cracked.com.

Free Man

Allen Iverson's available, ya'll!

I never thought I'd say this though: The Wizards don't need him. Actually it's cool that I can say that.

No Main Topic

1. I'd do this too to avoid a coaching change.
2. Health Care wasn't the only thing being stalled.
3. Death by trash compactor. 'Nuff said.
4. Still trying to cut some costs.
5. Tell me again why stem cell research is so controversial?
   

Cue the Right-Wing Freakout

Haroon Saleem of Granite Falls, Washington won the election for the city's mayor. And he's...*gasp*...MUSLIM!

But for some reason the townsfolk don't seem to be too bothered.

Saleem said he was nervous about being accepted, and hired a white assistant manager to ease local concerns when he opened his bar in 2000.

"I was kind of scared, you know," he says.

But he was embraced virtually from the start.

"That tells you how good and great of a community Granite Falls is," he says with a slight accent. "They didn't care ... I am who I am, and people love me for that, and I just love people. People know that I am smart, I am a businessman. In the big scheme of things, all these qualities have made me, got me to where I am today."

So if a small town in America can (for the most part) embrace someone who's of a different religion, why can't the party who claims to speak for small town America do the same?

Sarah Palin Destroyed Oprah

Only a few days after the ex-Governor appear to plug her new book, Oprah decides to quit in 2011.

Coincidence? I think not.

Seriously, though: how weird would it be if Palin gets into the talk show game, and became the new Oprah?

My Silly Wizards/Zelda Analogy

Wisdom: That's Jamison. He's the "old warhorse;" the cranky old man who been there/seen that.

Power: That's Arenas. He's got the star power, the charisma, and the attention of the opposing team's defense.

Courage: That's Butler. He's not called "Tuff Juice" for nothing.

I think last night's game showed that all three are key to victory, particularly in regards to the postseason/upper echelon element. Last year with just Jamison and Butler we saw a squad that lacked the special treatment that a team's best player receives, both from the opposition and the referees. Early on this season we saw a sullen star and his tough-yet-inconsistent teammate trade quips via the media instead of keeping that talk in the locker room. And while we haven't seen much of a Arenas/Jamison duo here, I'm sure it would be just as incomplete a product.

I guess the bottom line here is this: to call Arenas, Butler and Jamison the Big Three is not really accurate because that implies that any one of these guys can take over a game and have a Franchise Player-type performance. Between injuries, age and a new coach/supporting cast that's just not the case now (if it ever was). In all honesty, the team has one really good Second Banana and two better-than-average Third Bananas who, by default and design, have been labeled as something that's just as good individually as combined.

Nope. They are more or less the Tri-Force; three unique, specific pieces that are most effective together. Which means that once one of these guys goes away permanently (either by trade, injury of retirement) an entirely new core will be needed. According to Comcast Sportsnet, Jamison is outta here in two seasons...so the clock's ticking.

All I Did Was Google "Ninja Doctor" On a Whim...

...and I got this. And this.

Thanks, Internet!

No Main Topic

1. Nice to have an AG who's willing to talk to the people, especially the families of the 9/11 victims.
2. The Senate tries to get healthy...and Reid marks an invisible line in the sand.
   
3. Fighting for the right to bare laundry.
4. The President wants answers.
   

Satire and Reality Are Too Close Together

From the Onion: "Area Man Passionate Defender of What He Imagines the Constitution to Be."

Sammy Sosa's Skin Treatment Is Catching On

even pandas are doing it.

Quote Of The Day

"It don't put me in an awkward situation at all because I think I'll put myself up against anybody in the NFL [on] any day of the week. I think Ladell is a great guy, I think he's a great player, I think he's a great teammate for what he gives on the field. You never hear anything from him, he just goes out and [plays] hard and gives you everything he's got, so he deserves an opportunity. But at the same time, I don't think that takes away because he's playing good. I mean, we've been both capable of making plays. I think to be able to use us together would be even better. You know, I'm not a selfish guy, I'm not being selfish---oh, give me the ball, give me the ball, give me the ball. If Ladell is gonna help us win, it don't matter to me man, I'm all for it. But as far as me losing my starting position, I doubt that."

-- Clinton Portis, reacting to the team's vastly improved running game during his absence.

No Main Topic

1. Well, this answers the question, "Are there homeless sex offenders?"
2. Pirates never really go away.
3. Expected reaction to the new mammogram guidelines.
4. At least these guys are hiring.
5. For Obama's second trip there, China was less than receptive.
6. Optimism's a good thing, especially for a guy like Harry Reid.
   

People Died On "Jonny Quest"

A lot. Just accept it.

Fear Not KSM, Or a Terrorist Trial In NY...

...but fear the media's coverage.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Law & Order: KSM
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Military PR: You're Doing It Wrong

So there's at least two instances of the Army essentially saying, "Fuck your kid, you gotta go fight!" and a recruiter who thought it was a great idea to seduce a 14-year-old girl.

Even though both conflicts started under Bush, Obama had a chance to truly turn a leaf by going after reports of abuse and definitively addressing Gitmo (as in: closing it down). He hasn't done either to the point where these types of stories have gone away, and I suspect that now he's CIC they'll be a lot more stories coming out of the woodwork...and he'll get all the blame.

No Main Topic

1. Of course this has nothing to do with Belichick's ego; why would anyone think that?
2. Stuck in the middle with you.
3. Wrong Answer.
4. Ravens pull through, continue beef with Browns.
5. Boatload of actors + 79 CDs = one expensive-sounding audio Bible.
6. Happy motoring.
   

What's In A (Sports) Name?

Apparently not much, according to the Supreme Court.

Your Own Personal "Am I Going To Hell" Test

Click here. If you laughed, you now know the answer.

Eating Is Half The Battle

Yowza:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chalk up another national-security threat -- this one looming with each excess pound, failing grade and drug bust affecting young adults.

An alarming 75% of Americans ages 17 to 24 would not qualify for military service today because they are physically unfit, failed to finish high school or have criminal records. So says a new report from an organization of education and military leaders calling for immediate action on the early-education front.

While some experts voiced doubt that obesity and other societal ills would keep three out of four young adults out of the ranks, the report titled "Ready, Willing and Unable to Serve" was endorsed by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, former NATO commander Gen. Wesley Clark and top retired admirals and generals.

Gee, if there was only some way to, I don't know universally give this age group some kind of care to be healthy and fit enough for service (should they want to go that route).

Note To Self: Start A "Cheerleading Insurance" Company.

The next time they get fired up to bring it on, cheerleaders may want to think about wear some kind or protective gear:

Published as a series of four separate articles on cheerleading-related injuries in the November issue of the Journal of Athletic Training, the study focused on general cheerleading-related injuries, cheerleading stunt-related injuries, cheerleading fall-related injuries and surfaces used by cheerleaders. Data from the study showed that nearly all (96 percent) of the reported concussions and closed-head injuries were preceded by the cheerleader performing a stunt.

And Now For Sports

1. Dan Snyder comes to his senses on the sign ban.
2. Rookie baller threatens Wilt Chamberlain's record.
   

Around the Internets

1. These foods can help you stay young...
2. ...because young is good.
3. Either test your drinking knowledge or relive your college years.
   
4. Why most guys join Facebook.
5. WTF, Google?
6. Be frugal, not cheap.
   

Oleksiy Pecherov's Doing Just Fine

The ex-Wizard is getting some minutes, learning the ropes with the young Timberwolves. I'm sure in three or four seasons Wizards fans will be saying, "Why did we trade him?"

Only Obama Could Go To China

Had no idea how deep the racial issues were in China...just another example of the significance of this current president.

This kinda sums up the story:

Chen Juan, 27, a secretary in an English training school in Beijing, regularly uses skin-whitening products and carries an umbrella on summer days. "For me, the whiter, the better. Being white means pretty," she said. "If someone looks too black, I feel they look countrified and like a farmer. . . . Being white is prettier than being black."

"In my impression, black people, especially Africans, are not clean enough," Chen continued. "To be frank, I just feel black people are too black. Definitely, I wouldn't consider having a black guy as my boyfriend even if he were rich."

Caron Butler's More Clutch Than Gilbert Arenas?

Strange, but true.

If Recent Congressional Amendments Are To Be Believed

Republicans not only don't want to prevent rape (their objection to the Franken Amendment), they want the victim to be forced to have the child (the flap over the Stupak Amendment).

Sarah Palin's Book

seems to be pretty much what people expected it to be: a motivator for her fans, a joke for her detractors and convoluted for everyone else.

P.S.: Yes; the best (and quickest) way to fact check a book is to split it up amongst different reporters, not force one person to read the whole thing.

Not Exactly "The Wire," But Still Entertaining

The mayor of Baltimore is using her "good" boyfriend to trash her "bad" boyfriend.

Really, Politico? "Spending Binge?"

Politico claims that Obama's plan to focus on fiscal responsibility may fall on deaf ears due to a "spending binge."

What constitutes said "spending binge?"

Even if Obama succeeds - and that’s a big if - it will be tough for many Democrats to sell themselves as deeply concerned about spending after voting for the stimulus, the bailouts, the health care legislation and a plan to address global warming, four enormous government programs.

Hmm... let's briefly review each of these "binges:"

1. The stimulus was done to keep half the country from being evicted from their homes and selling our bodies for a Big Mack and fries. However, because the GOP bitched and moaned, Congress ended up passing a relatively small package that only kept us afloat, rather than put us over the top. Oh yeah: it was the crappy economy Bush left that necessitated this move anyway.
   
2. The bailouts started under Bush; he punted to Obama, who was forced to finish this unsavory deal. It didn't help that he was peer-pressured into making a Wall Street guy in charge of the whole mess.
3. Obama ran on Health Care Reform. Because both the stimulus and the bailouts were not part of his plans for the Administration, this is really the only initiative he can be blamed for. Then again, the majority of Americans want Health Care Reform.
4. "His Plan for Global Warming?" As in: "he hasn't done it yet?" So how should this count as a "binge?"

So by my math, we have two initiatives/problems he inherited, one he campaigned on and one he hasn't even started. Yet Politico wants us to believe Obama's been basically spending money like he's Peggy Bundy. Whatever.

Ft. Hood Gets The Jessica Lynch Treatment

This is what happens when you don't wait for the facts to come out and jump on the first story you hear.

Shortly after last week's Ft. Hood shooting massacre, Sgt. Kimberly Munley of the Killeen, TX, police department was widely credited as the heroic cop who brought Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's rampage to an end by shooting him four times while being wounded by gunfire herself. A Ft. Hood official told the media that the diminutive Munley, who was shot in both legs and one of her wrists, fired on Hasan twice, which then drew his attention to her, and then fired again while she was on the ground. But now it appears as though that account was inaccurate and that another Killeen police officer, Sgt. Mark Todd, was actually the person who fired the shots that brought down Hasan.

P.S.: I don't blame Jessica Lynch for what the military and the media did with her story, she's a brave woman and we're a better country for her; but nonetheless her name has become synonomous with "hero propaganda."

Why Does FoxNews Want Ft. Hood To Be Classified As "Terrorism?"

Because, like the endorsement of the Tea Parties and the Birth Certificate, it's about attacking President Obama's credibility.

If Ft. Hood is terrorism, than we've had a our first terrorist strike on U.S. since 9/11 (ignoring the fact that our embassies are technically US turf). And if that is true, and it happened during Obama's presidency, he can be blamed for anything from negligence to "not keeping us safe like President Bush."

UPDATE: C&L has their own take, which also makes sense.

The Power of the Coach's Tantrum

It must be used wisely.

The New Game: Palin or Prejean?

Who said, "I knew God had a plan for me?"

Play the game here.

New York State of Mind

Could Jay-Z's new song ever replace Sinatra's as the theme of New York? Possibly.

Sometimes You Just Can't Recreate The Magic

Buffy was, an essence, everything cool about the 90's (which is why is wasn't destined to last long). Angel was the perfect blend of the Ann Rice/Twilight vampire story mixed with the 30 Days of Night/Blade vampire story, with the detective genre thrown in for good taste.

That being said, Firefly and Dollhouse were just not meant to be. Whedon relied too much on the TV cred he earned at the WB and though it would carry over to FOX. And as for Dollhouse specifically, I can't be the only one who saw an episode and thought, "How did Faith lose her memory, and why does Fred have a slashed face?"

Of course, in true fashion it's not Whedon's fault.

LeBron James Is All Heart

After six seasons of wearing the # 23 the "King" decides that no one in the NBA besides MJ should have that honor.

Apocalyptic Math...

Poor nutrition + swine flu deaths = Children of Men?

I really need to find some "The kids are alright" stories.

Stephen Colbert, From The Clan Colbert

There can only be one.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Stephen Claims Lou Dobbs' Audience
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating

No Main Topic

1. A true giver and contributor to his community.
2. J. C. Penny's still exists?
3. And here I was thinking, "If we make an addictive substance $60.00 a box, the people who are addicted to it will stop buying it."
4. If you have any doubts about Sarah Palin planning on running for President...
5. Lou Dobbs' replacement.
6. You can't fight cancer if you don't take the medicine.
   

Shocked, I Tells Ya!

Think Progress' title says it all: "RNC health insurance plan covers abortion."

It's Hard Out There For An Ex-CEO

How do they manage?

Paul Joegriner hasn't worked since March 2008, when he was laid off from his $200,000-a-year job as chief executive officer of a small bank. But you wouldn't know it by appearances.

His wife, Marzena, shuttles their two young children to private school every morning. The family recently vacationed in Virginia Beach, Va., and likes to dine on Porterhouse steaks. Since losing his job, Mr. Joegriner, 44 years old, has had several offers. He's turned each down in hopes of landing a position comparable to what he held before.

The family's lifestyle over the past year and a half has been propped up by a $200,000 severance package and another $100,000 in savings -- funds the family has burned through rapidly. By Mr. Joegriner's own calculations, the family will be out of money in six months if he doesn't find work.

"It will be D-Day," he says. "But on the outside, no one has any idea that we're in trouble."

Mr. Joegriner is a member of what might be called the severance economy -- unemployed Americans who use severance pay and savings to maintain their lifestyles. Many lost their jobs in 2007 and 2008, and thought they'd soon find work. Now, they're getting desperate. Last week, lawmakers passed a bill extending unemployment benefits up to 20 weeks. Unemployment benefits, which typically last about 26 weeks, were expected to run out for 1.3 million people by the end of the year, according to the National Employment Law Project.

It's too bad that when other people who aren't CEOs get the axe, they can't live their accustomed lifestyle for at least a year.

NBA Stuff

1. If you're a fan of any Washington team, than you should know 26 is not really your friend.
2. Byron Scott has been fired by the Hornets.
3. The Wiz can't afford to start feeling sorry for themselves.
   

They Call It "EBF3"

but people will come to know it as the grandfather to the real-life replicator.

If You Have Kids...

...or know someone who does, you should read this.

About the Next Generation...

...it may not exist if we don't change our eating habits.

A third of deaths in children under five in those countries are linked to poor diet, a report by Unicef suggests.

It also reveals 195m children - one in three - have stunted growth, even though rates have fallen since 1990.

Unicef said the number of underweight children also remained high, with many countries struggling to hit official targets to halve the figures.

An estimated 129m children are underweight.

No Main Topic

1. In other words, "If we're going to be the party representing the working class, we shouldn't be depending on rich candidates and funding from wealthy donors."
2. Kudos to Taylor Swift.
3. US ambassador: only fools rush in.
4. Considering who his successor was, this was a bold move for Medvedev.
5. Bostocalypse returns.
6. Porn on a plane...and the bus...and the metro...
7. Lucy Liu's new movie and good cause.
   

More Than Meets The Ride

No Main Topic

1. Blackwater, again.
2. A pretty significant miscalculation.
3. As if men don't have enough problems.