The MSFP of 2008 and back to the grind

After what I call "The Major Social Faux Pas of 2008," and because of a load of work I have to get done, I took a break from posting here. However, some news stories are just too good to pass up, work and whatever-you-call-what-Dews-did be damned. Onward!

In Vermont news, Governor Jim Douglas got a pie in the face during Montpelier's Fourth of July parade. The pie pugilist turned out to be a man in a Santa suit upset with Douglas's decision to let the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant's owners bail on their duty to create a decommisioning fund. And then things got weird. Barre mayor Thom Lauzon, who was walking with Douglas in the parade, took off after the not-so-jolly tart tosser when the mayor noticed that Douglas's security wouldn't leave the governor. Mayor Lauzon tracked down the man, used his ninja moves, and brought him to the ground (I'm not kidding here, just watch the video).

Aside from the obvious concern for the Governor's safety (how in the world could a guy get that close?), this would be hilarious but for Lauzon's actions. I'm a Barre guy. Thanks for making my town look ridiculous once again, mayor. Awesome. Perhaps you should wear a cape and a mask to the next city council meeting.

In other news, South Carolina has a plan to let Christians purchase special license plates. Frankly, I have nothing against special license plates per se. But, as usual, the devil is in the details. Seems that if you want a Star of David license plate, a plate to express your faith in Islam, or if you want the world to know you're a Hindu, that'll cost you a few thousand dollars, much more than the Christian plate. Plus, you can't have a trendy message, like the "I Believe" message on the Christian license plate. And don't worry, as the article notes, if you're against this plan, you both have a bias against Christianity and you don't believe in freedom of speech. Right.

Lastly, and certainly not least, an approving nod to my friend AK at Anachronistic Polytheism for her pithy commentary on the Facebook TMI Phenomenon. Yes, I know you get hammered on the weekends. Yes, I know you went home with that girl with too much make-up in the boob shirt last weekend and are now planning matching ass tattoos and now co-own a dog. And, yes, I also know you have an ugly baby now (damn, that's an ugly ass baby!). But, really, do you need to put every possible bit of information about yourself on Facebook?

Back to work, folks. Enjoy your Monday.

S.C. Dems vote to keep Stephen Colbert off primary ballot

The South Carolina Democratic Party voted 13-3 to keep Colbert off its primary ballot. That is, without a doubt, the single most disappointing thing the S.C. Democrats have probably ever (I know nothing about the S.C. Dems, mostly because I didn't know there were any; consequently they could be much more disappointing than this).

Look, Colbert might be a comic, but at least he's using his comedy to point out the stunning retardedness of our political process and conservativism. How can this not advance the S.C. Dems' political goals? Can you imagine him on a stage with Hillary and Barack while in character? It'd be hilarious, and voters of all stripes would tune in. That means more people listening to Democratic ideas (between Colbert jokes). And you folks blew it down there in South Cackalacky.

If you want to complain, shoot an email to their executive director, Joe Werner: jwerner@scdp.org

NCAA Football Top 25 Oct 15

Wow, what a wild and crazy weekend in college football. Have we ever seen a college football season quite like this one? Everyone and their mother and their mother's cousin are losing at least one game. I'm telling you, if this year is any evidence that we need a playoff system I don't know what is. I hope the cluster fuck at the end will be enough for everyone to realize this be true and start down that path. That being said, you're all gonna read this and think I've gone mad, but I'm telling you this is how I see things right now.

1. South Carolina Gamecocks(6)-That's right bitches, Steve Spurrier back on top! Do I think this will last, maybe not, but they definitely have a chance. With Steve Spurrier anything is possible. They lost to LSU, but they beat Kentucky pretty soundly and I've seen LSU get progressively worse as the season as gone along. South Carolina has been steadily getting better, getting confidence, should be interesting.
2. Kentucky Wildcats(19)-I was really tempted to put the Wildcats up on top after beating LSU, but the Gamecocks were just so good against them that I couldn't bring myself to do it. They are damn impressive though and should be in a BCS game if they keep playing this level.
3. South Florida Bulls(4)-I think we've all been mislead, they're not a mid-major team, they're in the Big East. They've beaten West Virginia and Auburn, and it will be interesting to see if they can overcome Rutgers, Cincinnati and Louisville.
4. Arizona State Sun Devils(10)-Some may think this is too high, but they are an undefeated Pac 10 team, a conference that is much stronger then the Big Ten and as such should be above Ohio St. They've beaten Colorado, Oregon St, and Stanford. Teams that have beaten top five teams at the time they played them.
5. LSU Tigers(1)-As the season has progressed, they've never impressed me as much as they apparently impressed everyone else. Ever since the Tulane game they've just felt like a team who is coached by an average coach and are a bit of under achievers.
6. Oklahoma Sooners(8)-So they managed to beat Missouri, yay? They were lucky Colt McCoy didn't remember who he was one week sooner then he actually did. Sadly Texas Tech is their last big test of the season.
7. Boston College Eagles(5)-They managed to hold on and beat Notre Dame. However they did not beat Notre Dame like a top five team should beat Notre Dame and as such they have fallen in my rankings. Their next game at VA Tech is their biggest test of the season.
8. Ohio State Buckeyes (3)-Sorry Buckeyes, you are NOT my Top Team in the nation. You've played shit, you've won shit, and I won't be surprised if you end this season with three losses. The only team that you've beaten is Purdue and Michigan embarrassed them this weekend.
9. Oregon Ducks (9)-They lost to Cal, but I think they're still a better team then Cal. I haven't been that impressed with the Bears, but the Ducks are a team who should start in the top ten next season. Wild Card BCS team if they run the table.
10. Kansas Jayhawks (11)-If they continue to play the way they're playing, Kansas could be playing for the National Title by the end of the season. I never thought this day would come, truly it is a sign that the end is most definitely nigh.
11. USC Trojans (7)-USC is definitely not USC this year. I know they're young, but that defense has more talent then it is showing. There is now way Arizona of all teams should be able to put 13 on them. They have a tough task in front of them to make a BCS game, and I honestly don't know if they can do it.
12. West Virginia Mountaineers (12)-They have Rutgers, Louisville and Cincinnati in a row. Once they beat Mississippi State that is their schedule and I don't know if they come out of that stretch with even two wins since Louisville seems to have found their mojo once again.
13. Cal Bears (2)-They were just 18 seconds away from tying that game, but the freshman backup made a rookie mistake. If he learns from it, this team is going to be dangerous the next couple of years as that kid was touched by Zeus and given a rocket launcher for an arm.
14. Virginia Tech Hookies (13)-I'm not sold on the Hookies, and I know it breaks the hearts of my friends. They can shake up the BCS again by beating Boston College, the first time I've cheered for VA Tech in a very long time.
15. Florida Gators (14)-Think about it, if Florida finds a way to beat Kentucky this weekend they more or less swap positions with them in this poll. They have the talent, but I think that Kentucky just has more testicular fortitude then Florida.
16. Auburn Tigers (N/R)-They are starting to make me a believer that they deserve to be in the top twenty. They managed to hold Arkansas to single digits and McFadden to only 43 yards of rushing, a job very well done.
17. Texas Longhorns (21)-Colt McCoy we all appreciate the fact that you are no longer possessed by the evil spirit of Chris Simms, but you should have seen Zelda two weeks ago, wait no three, and we would be the number one team in the nation right now.
18. Virginia Cavaliers (24)-I was asked yesterday why everyone is giving Virginia so much credit. Their argument was they haven't beaten anyone of notice so far. True, but this is a team that is coached by Al Grohl. To overcome that hurdle and have that record is astounding.
19. Michigan Wolverines (N/R)-Apparently Michigan has awoken from the depths of hell and is unleashing brimstone and fury upon their opponents. If Mike Hart doesn't win the Heisman then the voters are nothing but Irish and Buckeye fans.
20. Hawaii Warriors (17)-No matter what you say about how they play, they are finding ways to win. It wasn't pretty, Colt Brennan had five interceptions, but they are still undefeated and should be mentioned. No one gave Boise St a chance last year either.
21. Missouri Tigers (15)-They put up a good amount of points on an impressive Oklahoma defense so you have to be pleased with yourselves in that category. Missouri controls its own destiny to the Big 12 title game and a possible rematch with Oklahoma.
22. Tennessee Volunteers (N/R)-This spot was going to either Tennessee or Georgia, and since I loathe both programs I gave it to Tennessee since they didn't barely get by Vandy like Georgia did. This is an above average program that is helping itself up by feeding on the gutter of the SEC.
23. Texas Tech Red Raiders (N/R)-If they beat Missouri they could be headed to the teens. Four out of their next five games are all basically playoff games for the Big 12 Championship, so much like other teams, they control their own destiny.
24. Kansas State Wildcats (N/R)-An impressive win over a plucky Colorado team and bumped them out of the top twenty five and took their place among it. They missed the first list due to that loss to Kansas, but the Big 12 may be the most competitive conference right now outside of the Pac 10, but they don't have a championship game so it very well may be the most competitive.
25. Penn State Nittany Lions (N/R)-They absolutely pounded a Wisconsin team which is an example as to why there shouldn't be polls before week six of the college football season. Wisconsin was not good, and yet folks had them as high as three in some polls. Penn State though are scrappers who fought and just beat up Wisconsin, much like they will do to Ohio State.

Honorary Mention Teams or Look For Them To Maybe Move Up In The World Teams
Colorado, Wake Forest, Maryland, Illinois, Fresno State