October 20

...Yeah, the happy Halloween stuff is gratuitous at best. Suttle World has no more interest in October 31 than Arbor or Flag Day, but it seems like a big deal for a bunch of other folks, so play nicely among yourself. Other "holidays" can be ignored should one choose. One can avoid Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc... in the comfort and privacy of one's own home or the Waffle House; but not Halloween. Stay home and the door bell rings constantly; and go to the Waffle House at your own peril, given the average blood alcohol level of motorists runs roughly twice the legal limit. Alas, it only lasts a few hours, and one almost wishes it would last longer, because it only gives way to the sensory overload that are the obligatory winter festivities---"And we Jews thought it was Santy Clause/That killed off Jesus Christ."---Kinky Friedman (next Governor of the great state of Texas)

...From the mailbag this morning, comes word from IV in Montpelier, providing a link for pics of both boy and girl Solons soccer "action." Pressed a bit for time as nephew Ridge is schlepped back to the dentist---"look Ma: 13 cavities," I leave you only with the link and will dissect and post in more appropriate portions of Suttle World as the week allows. Appreciate the shout out.

...Yes, I saw the debacle in the Meadowlands yesterday, and no, I don't care to discuss it. Given the worse than awful Niners beat the Bucs yesterday, the only two above average teams in the NFL this season are playing one another tonight.

...Well that was interesting now wasn't it? No, actually it was an infuriating experience that took over four hours to get the damn home page back to some semblance of where it was. The body of the page didn't disappear---it just wouldn't publish. And if the world's greatest wife can't figure it out, then it shall remain a mystery for the ages. WYSIWYG my ass! Its WYSIWYW---what you see is what you want. Regardless, though unhappy with its appearance, the Suttle World home page would appear to be functional again.

...Better news----Montpelier girls WIN! The Burlington Free Press provides a brief report: "(3) Montpelier 1, (6) Mount Abraham 1 (Montpelier wins 3-1 on PKs): At Montpelier, the Solons got penalty-kick goals from Zeljana Varga, Emily Hassard and Kelli Aja and a big save from Kendra Dowen to post a quarterfinal win against Mount Abraham.

The game was tied at 1 at halftime after goals by Mount Abraham's Sarah Reaber-Spina and Montpelier's Emma Dale.

The game stayed that way through the second half and four overtime periods before the Solons won in the shootout.

Dowen made seven saves for the Solons (14-1-1) and Chrissy Livingston made 12 saves for the Eagles (9-5-2). Next up is Woodstock---a deep team of 500,000 or more and an invader from upstate New York no less, but little worry for the now 14-1-1 Solons. Meanwhile, the boys await their Tuesday semi-final match against the below mentioned U-boat crew.

...Mercifully, Atlanta viewers will get to see the Redskins/Giants match up at 1:00. The remainder of your NFL Sunday will feature Jacksonville at St. Louis (CBS---1:00). Eagles/Broncos are the lone 4:00 game (FOX).

...We're number 1! Well, not yet, but the Thrashers have made an excellent start in pushing Atlanta atop all other North American cities in combined fewest NBA and NHL wins for the 2005-6 seasons. Come on Hawks, you can do it. Winning less than 11 will be tough, but the franchise seems well up to the task. The good news is that there are plenty of $50 seats to be had.

...Game time 1:00 for the Montpelier High School girls soccer squad as the play their quarter-final match against Mt. Abraham in their pursuit of the Vermont Division 2 title. Meanwhile the boys wait til Tuesday for their semi-final match versus the German submarine crew who edged out Bed and Breakfast yesterday.

...Cruis-O-Matic tonight at Jake's Toadhouse. Our boys are up first tonight (starting around 8:30 or 9:00) followed by Thermos Greenwood and the Colored People. Be there!

...Yes, Rosa stays up, because I say so! She's my heroine and its my site. Anyone with a suggestion of someone more appropriate is welcome to email the details. Its highly unlikely it will make any difference, but may make you feel better---much like the "close door" buttons inside elevators.

...Solons win! Solons win! Literally---both boys and girls squads were victorious in their playoff matches yesterday afternoon. All the details at

...In the Song of the Day department---Mother's Finest is well overdue, and it is disappointing that they were not included on any submission list and ignored by yours truly til today. Word has it they're still knocking around. If so, sign me up---a better live band is hard to find---or at least that was the case 30 years ago. Do they still live behind Cherokee Plaza? Meanwhile Cruis-O-Matic is set for a gig tomorrow (Saturday) night at Jake's Toadhouse (N. Druid Hills & L'ville Hwy)

...Well the administration is making progress---from circling the bowl to now being fully evacuated into the do-do pipe. Memo to President Bush: yall can take most anything you want from the White House when you leave, because incoming President Clinton still has all the stuff she thieved from the place when she moved out the last time. Today is the first around the house day for Suttle World, and its good timing as I wait by the phone for the call to nominate me to the Supreme Court. No senator, I have no legal background nor expertise in Constitutional law, but I have read the document several times; and that would seem to put me a leg up on you. See, right here---Article II, Section 8 clearly states the powers of Congress. Now senator, can you please show me where education, health care or painting salmon onto Air Alaska planes is mentioned? Take your time and then we can take a look at the 9th, 10th and 15th amendments to the Constitution. You bone up over the weekend and we'll get together Monday. See ya Chucky.

...From the mailbag this morning we have "fan mail from some flounder" in the form one Joel DeCaro of Santa Barbara, CA

I much enjoyed all your tales of jihad. I bought Go Girl Crazy in 77, after hearing "Cars and Girls" on WMMS in Cleveland(Kid Leo show). I had no idea they did anything after Bloodbrothers. Until recently when I suddenly discovered that most of the music I have relished over the decades belongs to the genre called "garage". Little Steven's 2 hour show was the beginning of this discovery about a year and a half ago. So now I know the Dictators are from NY, we imagined they were from Columbus(the only White Castle we knew of).

The Dictators are overdue for a reunion(since I have yet to see them once). It seems plausible that TV Guide would do such a thing since they have had many issues devoted to rock music. I see they have a few male editors who might have known of the Dictators. How many fans could you rustle into emailing them? If Dr Hook could do it, WHY NOT? Dr Hook had a top 40 hit but TVG is a weekly. Anyway, it might be a good thing to have ready if there is a reunion.

Santa Barbara, CA
And the response from cuzin Sal in Boston to whom the email was forwarded (in addition to other Jihadists)

Makes me misty. Remember the good old days when they used to actually play
gigs? Man, were we spoiled.

Could we spoiled some more please? Been over a year now guys. Remember DFFD and all that?

...Real quick....Miers comments for later. Montpelier boys and girls soccer playoffs scheduled for today, weather permitting. Props to the Chisox.

...Its up and its, well, up.

Details of our hero's efforts are chronicled at the link, so you, the gentle surfer, can be up to date with all the news of the Vermont Principals Association Division 2 boys and girls soccer "play-downs" (sup with that?). Both squads have matches tomorrow, the second for the boys as they won their opening round game Monday against Mill River 1-Nil.

...Maybe its just me, but if I were headed to prison, I think I'd change my name from Scooter to most anything else.

...Is there a "Glycosis for Dummies" edition floating around anywhere? "I'll take Chinese Arithmetic for $400 please, Alex."

...Suttle World has seen precious little effort from its staff regarding the Mascot Hall of Mit)hness. Having now found the seemingly lost United Hockey League and Southern Professional Hockey Association, the pickings should be that much more ripe.

...About five weeks shy of 50 years ago, a lowly 42 negro seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama stopped to earth's orbit by uttering one word: "no." That single word may well be the most courageous and heroic act by an "ordinary citizen" in American history. Rosa Parks died yesterday evening at her Detroit home. She was 92.

...Doctor's appointments, grocery shopping and kid beating took much precious time yesterday, but being the troopers that they are the Montpelier High School Solons boys soccer team won their first round playoff game 1-0 over Mill River to advance into the quarterfinals. Peter Turley turned in the game's only goal for the Solons. Meanwhile, the Lady Solons (or insert appropriate adjective to differentiate between the young estrogen and testosterone based units) play their first round post season match this afternoon against Randolph in an expected 3-4 inches of snow---making those little black spots on the ball most helpful indeed. The Suttle World help is on the way today, and would have probably been up and running if I didn't get caught up in the Composter of the Month at MHS. Regardless, a shout out to the Unknown Composter (nice pic but not identified anywhere on the MHS site that I could find---in the Compost Protection Program no doubt) and the best of luck with your decomposition efforts in the future. Memo to IV: as stated, I was a bit preoccupied yesterday and missed the deadline, but would you check and see if I can sign up for the Public Forum Debate Scrimmage set for tonight? I realize evidence packages were to be picked up yesterday, but I don't need no stinkin' ev pack. Got a legal pad, pen and checkbook---all comers welcome, just don't forget your checkbook either (Visa and MasterCard also accepted).

...There are several outrages in our midst upon which Suttle World has yet to comment---most notably the Burger King and most recent Charmin spots, but this morning we have a national issue of great import to consider. Ladies, gentlemen and bi-sexuals please give a warm round of applause for the newly formed NCWB---the National Council of Weathermen Beatdowns. How long does it take to inform viewers or listeners that its raining in Florida? Nobody knows---because they haven't quit yet, nor would one anticipate the picture in picture radar image or on the spot drenched reporters to stop anytime in the near future. But let not your hearts be troubled, because NCWB (and its Executive Director, Randall Simon) is on the job now. You get two minutes, with the radar image replaced by a clock. Run over the allotted time and you'll be talking to Mr. Simon and his pet Louisville Slugger. Yes, there are similarities with the long standing Suttle World proposal of the one minute limit for the national anthem before any sporting event: start the clock with the first note and instruct a state trooper to fire off a head shot when time elapses.

...From the mailbag this morning comes word from cuzin Waring III requesting assistance with another Vermont state championship for the Montpelier Solons---two of them and in soccer for God's sake. It would seem as though the lovely Kaitlin Waring and her brother Paul (or IV if you will so as to not confuse him with his father Paul or his other brother Paul) are both starting mid-fielders for their respective Solon squads. Suttle World assumes this means both hang around the middle of the field. Regardless, if its titles folks want, its titles they shall get---as soon as I can get around to yet another stunning multi-media extravaganza that metaphysically propels Vermonters/ees/ites? to victory. The gentle surfer may fear that this is an unfair advantage, to which I ask: what's the significance? What's the harm? For now a quick look at the brackets (boys & girls). Any protestations by other competitors or the Vermont Principals Association should be addressed to Randall Simon.

...Is it just me or is there a distinct scoring shortage? Following a mind numbing 1-0 hockey game Friday night, Carolina beats Virginia 7-5 and Alabama rolls past Tennessee 6-3. Alert Chairman Greenspan. This should be worth at least a 25 basis point increase.

...From the mailbag last week (and forgotten until this morning) comes the message that proves Reverend Jackson right on one account: I am somebody! I know this because I have been contacted by---and now I can't find the damn thing. Anyway, Prince Ola Bucka Lystormostromus, the nephew of the deposed leader of Kamphofinique, has $158 million stashed away and is going to make me rich by cutting me in for 10%. I have dutifully forwarded all personal financial information so the Prince can finalize the transaction and anxiously await the $15 million electronic transfer to my checking account. Details to come.

...The good news is that the GM employee discount program sold a lot of cars. The bad news is that GM lost an average of $1,000 on each sale. The bad news is that after the program ended October 1, sales are down 57%. The bad news is that Delphi went belly up.

...Gird your loins---just one month and counting til you can see lots of fish in downtown Atlanta.

...Scoreless first period. Scoreless second period. Scoreless third period. Scoreless five minute overtime. Shootout: Charlotte 1/5 Gwinnett 0/5. A great show down between two superb net minders? No, just a boring hockey game, but at $10 a head...Should have known we were in for a long night, when arriving about a minute late, we noticed both goalies wearing Mississippi sweaters---took half of the first period to figure out it was a "tribute" to the Biloxi franchise and not a thrift store uniform deal. First order of business this morning: determine what the lines behind the goal are for. Highlights of the evening were several two line passes for which Moke and I cheered mightily.

...The eve of the fourth week in October, so it must be World Series time---a handy reminder to begin thawing the turkey for Thanksgiving. Tough to get excited about the White Sox and Houston, but given the dearth of NCAA action, its gets top billing on the sports viewing calendar for today.

...From the mailbag earlier this week, comes word from Bruce Joyner that he and his mates, the Reconstruction, will be playing Mulligan's Bar in Decatur tonight. Very compelling work from the Georgia native, who enjoyed some national success with the Unknowns during the 80's. A veteran of the NYC and LA club scene makes this is a Suttle World best bet for your Saturday evening. Bruce indicates they should start around midnight, so you can catch the last couple innings...

...Props to the Houston Astros for their first ever World Series appearance, winning the NLCS in six games last night. Very impressive to come back from being stomped on by the proverbial "hob nailed boot" (did anyone ever figure out what the hell that is/was?). 2005 World Series begins in Chicago Saturday night. No doubt just my imagination, but seems like some asshole with his own web site said something about MLB post seasons being a random champion generator or some such a couple of weeks ago. Suttle World, like many, takes some exception with baseball guru Bill James' take that Craig Biggio is the greatest player in history, but it is great to see he and Bagwell get their Topps cards stamped out of Ernie Banks/Phil Niekroville last night. We'll stay true to our National League roots and pull for the Colt 45s.

...Only the last inning of last night's NLCS was watched at stately Roberts/Suttle Manor as the gang headed over to the Mellow Mushroom to "assist" in an impromptu reincarnation of Buddy's Buddies during regular Wednesday night trivia competition. Hindered largely by the fact that I know of no facts that have occurred since 1985, the gang of 9 or so placed in a field of over a dozen. Not a bad showing, especially given the absence of stewardship, but respectable and worthy of future exploration; and, hey, I did know/strongly guess Maggie Thatcher. A Dictators question is coming. I just know it.

...Not that your own particular pestilence isn't of great import, there just aren't many natural/political/economic/social freak shows of any great interest ongoing or in full swing at the moment. Instead, consider this gee whiz if you will: your gastro-intestinal tract or alimentary canal is basically a long tube that runs through your body. Typical situation: first kid, a 2 year old, swallows a marble. Mom frantically calls the doctor and the old, sage pediatrician calms mom and advises her that this too shall pass. Sure enough, junior poops the orb out in a couple of days. Technically/clinically speaking, the marble never entered his body---only the GI tract that runs through the body. Like, wow man.

...Silenced by some pathogen that has produced the garden variety "flu like symptoms," Suttle World would seem to have missed little in the interim. The world, save portions of Pakistan, is still standing and another, yawn/sneeze/sniffle, category 5 hurricane has developed in the Gulf. Appreciate the inquiring emails.

...Try as they may, the all missing pretty white girl news networks simply are not going to be able to make Saddam's trial compelling. Just an hour in and it already looks like a bad Letterman or SNL bit (yes, redundant to many a gentle surfer, with the caveat that it is indeed difficult to be funny 6 hours a week; 40 weeks a year). Not to be dismissive of the crimes in question, but this ad hoc tribunal painfully striving to live up to Court TV standards appears a bit silly, to be quite frank. Regardless, the boy gonna be shaking hands with Allah before Christmas. Where's Jerry Spence when you really need him? Could be Bruce Harvey's chance to go national.

...Gwinnett Gladiator's season and home opener is Friday on Pinchaloaf Pkwy v. the Charlotte Checkers. Attendance appears imminent as the head count continues.

...Suttle hunches that pay off are pretty few and far between, but the haunting notion that Notre Dame and USC would be a compelling match up proved true in spades. Memo to Domers who believed they had achieved true scoreboard, "ND 31 USC 28 0:00": awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, especially since you covered. Hard to believe a better one will come along this year.

...Meanwhile, back at the League Championship Series, the Chisox take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Angels, while the Astros go up 2-1 over the Cardinals. St. Louis/Houston is up first this afternoon at 4:00 (Fox), with the AL game at 8:00. Non-dish ATL viewers get Falcons/Saints and Miami/Tampa Bay for 1:00 games and New England at Denver at 4:00 on CBS. Though unwatchable, Seattle and Houston will be televised by ESPN tonight and MNF features a very weak Rams/Colts match up.

...Far from reviving Gene, the Caucasian's. Pigskin Picks, here's a play for the day. Actually a couple of notions: for one straight up play I really like taking the Falcons and spotting the Saints 5.5 points (-110/juice). With or without Vick, the Saints are beyond awful, even more so with the loss of McAllister for the season following last week when a painfully mediocre Packer team hung a 52 on them. The other play would be the garden variety 6 point four team teaser with (spreads adjusted) ATL +.5 @ NO, JAX +9 @ PIT, WAS +11.5 @ KC and NYG +9.5 @ DAL. Pays 3:1. Throw $50 at each and walk away $195 wealthier.

...Fall has fell, finally---the first "cool" morning since April with daybreak temps well below the 60 degree mark; and a most refreshing change of pace.

...Nephew Ridge and buddies appear only marginally aware and/or interested in their dear old school's plight on the grid iron to date. Still the Tucker Tigers continued their winning ways last night with a 41-7 thrashing of Forsyth Central on the road. Ridge is under orders to pickup a hoops schedule when available and we've resolved to take advantage of the great bang for the buck afforded by high school basketball a mile or so from the front door this season.

..."Hey Mitch!" That is the "Watson, come here, I need you" equivalent as cuzin Bill sent his first voice email yesterday---successfully completing the test run on the second try. This begs the bigger question of pod casting and avoiding any dispute with the ASCAP folks. Would a private, non-profit site, say like Suttle World, be treated like a college radio station in the licensing department? If so, we all know WGNO can't be too far behind. May God have mercy on our souls.

...Gonna have to schlep another TV down to the living room or have the PIP working to track both the NLCS, Cards/Astros game and the Domers v. USC this afternoon. Reckon its cause I've been told it enough, but for some reason the latter seems like a compelling game, and certainly makes for the marquee game on this afternoon's NCAA schedule. Given Carolina doesn't factor into any of this, Suttle World pulls for the biggest fustercluck possible to move along the playoff thing as soon as possible.

...Another TV sports reminder is official post time is listed as 5:40(ESPN---entries) at Keenland for the QE II stakes ---3 y/o & up fillies; mile and an eighth on turf; stipulated that many file this under "could we watch more Tour d' France, please"/irrelevant. And to the racing industry I say: job well done. You've completely ruined a perfectly good sport. This New Coke's for you.

...That was close. A somewhat cryptic post on ross-the-boss.com yesterday indicated some "very special....jaw dropping special guests" for next weekends Brain Surgeons gig at CBGB. A fast and furious outreach to the Dictators underground, fetches a response from cuzin Sal up Boston way that it won't be Dictators, so the Emergency Haj Alert Network does not have to shift into DEFCOM 5---not a bad thing in that the first look see shows NO rooms in metro NYC to be had next weekend at any price. Sal also indicates that cuzin Rob will be in Boston this weekend for boys' nights out.

...Several belated notes. First, a very happy first anniversary to John and Karen Lanza, and don't forget guys, you start taking the beans out of the jar from here on out. Also a belated Mazeltov to our tribesmen who celebrated Yom Kippur this week, but its a moot point in that you shouldn't have been looking at this page during the holiday anyway.

...Not my take, but an interesting thought. Does Oral Roberts University athletics teams have trainers or doctors on staff? Would seem like a needless duplication of effort.

...From the mailbag yesterday comes word from Edward Tanner that the next Atlanta Cruis-O-Matic gig is set for Jake's Toadhouse (L'ville Hwy & N. Druid Hills) for Saturday, October 29. Our heroes are up first this time around, followed by Thermo Greenwood and the Colored People (I'm sold) and Blue Velvet, the apparent headliner. No word on the Macon Coliseum gig in November. Will watch and report as developments warrant.

...Thrashers drop to 2-2 after being shut out in Montreal last night. Of greater note, is the signing of phenom Ilya Kovalchuk by the Atlanta club---an event that would be a big deal if anyone really cared. Gladiators' home opener is October 22 against Charlotte. $10 ticket, free parking and a $20 MSRP cap giveaway for the first one. Reckon we'll stick to the north side and its minor league offerings. Granted, I can't name a single Gladiator, but that puts me only two behind knowledge of the Thrashers roster (or that of any other NHL franchise for that matter). And its just a matter days now before I don't pay more to not see the Hawks.

...Much like the rhinoceros repellant developed a year or so ago, the beta version of the Suttle World Radical Islamic Terrorist Attack Prevention Kit must be holding up. Since its inception Monday, there have been no incendiary devices or Georgia Tech students seen or reported anywhere in the vicinity of stately Roberts/Suttle Manor.

...Just an afterthought: did Shirley Franklin ever put together the $3 BILLION needed to keep the city of Atlanta from defecating in the water supply? Acting sooner rather than later is certainly preferable, as experts estimate a delay could cause the cost to increase by over a turd.

...Not called upon to perform the duty of citizenship that is jury service today leaves a bit of time for some ruminations.

...As surprising at it may seem, once again Suttle World is in the camp of the right Reverend Robertson in its belief that the end is soon---perhaps as early as Thursday. At first, there were a strange seemingly coincidental chain of events that has now cascaded into prophecy for apocalypse. Hurricanes, the flooding of New Orleans, 18 inning post season games, Harriet Miers, massive earthquakes and then the sure sign: country Joe West makes a correct call in a crucial playoff baseball game. So hit the liquor store and stick up the pharmacy on your way home. May as well enjoy the last few hours that we have.

...Retake #1. Maybe Crazy Al isn't as crazy as believed. Let's take a long hard look at this inflation thing. Commodity prices have risen across the board for two years, especially oil. Then toss in the effects of Katrina, a $300 million deficit along with home heating costs and gasoline prices increasing 50%. This is going to lead many an employee to the boss' office---"You gotta pay me more so I can afford to get to work and heat the house." And so the wage, price spiral begins and you've got 1975 all over again, especially in the absence of a big increase in productivity. Also noteworthy, is that all of Greenspan's detractors are unified in their view that the economy is fundamentally strong. If they're right on that account, then what's 25 basis points going to do?

...Memo to President Bush: got falling poll numbers? Pained as you wait your party to lose control of the Senate next year? Want to build a real legacy? Mr. President, we all understand how federal spending could increase by 25% in your short 6 years at the helm---would've happened with or without your stewardship, and we also all know there's little anyone can do about the spending, given that only 20% of the federal budget is "discretionary." So how bouts this: march up Pennsylvania Avenue to a joint session of Congress and (with the exception of debt service) make all federal spending discretionary. Start with a 20% cut in all federal programs, and yes that includes the sacred "entitlements." Won't win you many votes in the short run, but that's not really a big concern at this point now is it? You don't find many folks huddled together talking about how genius FDR was in putting Social Security in play 70 years after the fact. Take a stroll down the mall Mr. President, you'll note that none of the impressive monuments and memorials there were built for folks with little nads. What've you got to lose, excepting the ranch in Crawford that would be burned, but that would take care of that annoying brush problem with which you're always having to deal.

...Retake #2---and this one is no surprise. Six weeks since Katrina and for all the finger pointing and blaming, the bottom line is that New Orleans and Louisiana were exposed for what they are---chock full o po, ignorant folks dwelling on Darwin's doorstep before the flood. In this case, most of the folks in question were black, but this isn't race, cause we're moving up to Appalachia in a minute. Some of the country paid attention to this abject poverty for a short while, but be assured its been there for quite a while---throughout the Mississippi Delta and the aforementioned hillbillies. 40 years of well meaning programs from Democrats didn't work. Ten years of neo-con rule hasn't changed things. Perhaps, its time to take a page from the late Sam Kenison's playbook: these people don't need another anti-poverty program. What they need are suitcases. Move!

...Always looking out for the little people, the Suttle World staff is hard at work putting together the radical Islamic terrorist survival kit. So far we've got duct tape, plastic sheeting, two gallon jugs of water and this sticker that you can attach to your home and/or vehicle to stave off those nasty suicide bombings. No, it wasn't my idea, but I ran with it--damn it!

...So Brad Ausmus hits it in the clown's mouth on the 18th hole and we get a free game. Such a deal! Just wait til next post season. 627 men left on base is rather impressive in only 4 games, and, no, I don't think Bobby Cox had the do not score sign on.

...Still losing a Divisional Series game beats digging 40,000 bodies out of the rubble of an earthquake in Pakistan---the abject devastation worsened by the lack of any controlling governmental authority. As ugly as the situation is, there is an opportunity: work with me here. Here ("Where the streets are paved") in the USA we have some experience with this disaster thing. In fact, it is Suttle World's considered opinion that Mayor Ray Nagin and Governor Kathleen Blanco lead a delegation composed to the entire UN and US Federal Government to relocate in Islamabad to lend aid and comfort. Be sure to call when you get work. Just seems like a win-win kinda deal.

...But then there's the good news: the rain should end sometime mid-week, just in time for Grandma's homecoming party. Needless to say, things went well at the parole board hearing. That's it for this morning boys and girls---gotta go glue my teeth back in.

...Sure, I'd rather be up 2-1, but in a 5 game series, someone's got to be ahead 2-1 if there's going to be a game 4, so you win this afternoon and let Monday night take care of itself as the Braves desperately attempt to stave off elimination and advance to the NLCS to face St. Louis. Game time 1:00---ESPN, or a nooner if you will, for those in CDT. Post mortem on last night: Lee Harvey Oswalt pitched great and the Atlanta bullpen isn't very good in the getting folks out department. And who the hell is this Ensberg guy, and would someone please slip a little ptomaine in his Cheerios this morning?

...Perhaps Georgia is all that. Very impressive win over Tennessee yesterday in Knoxville. And from the news of the ironic/weird department in Saturday's sports happenings: after receiving yesterday's already mentioned email from Dawn Owar with regard to the new ross-the-boss.com site, a flip across the dial yesterday afternoon found the Lane Futurity in progress. A grade I stakes for 2 years olds at Keenland won by none other than Dawn of War, paying a pretty $78.

...For all those gnashing their teeth over the Harriet Miers appointment, you may well be justified, but it could be worse. President Bush could have picked another buddy of his, a country lawyer who was home schooled and who's only legal education involved attending some lectures for about six weeks at William and Mary. Someone like, oh say, John Marshall.

...Sympathies to the Bosox nation, as Bastin bites the big one---swept by a White Sox ball club that maybe will finally get some attention for something other than making a 15 game lead interesting, while still posting the best record in baseball this year. Meanwhile, a similar stunned silence has fallen over the Bronx as the Yankees teeter on the brink of elimination this afternoon. Of course all of this, including the 11freakin' o'clock Cards/Padres match up, is ancillary to game three of the Braves and Astros Divisional Series tonight at 8:00 (Fox). Let not your heart be troubled Braves fans, noting the random champion generator that has been MLB post season each of the last three years. 2002 the Angels. 2003 the Marlins. 2004 Red Sox come back from 3 down in the ALCS and win it all. Logical or not, its that reasoning that led me to take folk up on there offer of 10:1 for Atlanta to win it this year (an incidental wager---discovered there was $7+ in my account when I logged on to check proposition odds before the playoffs began). Understanding the betting public makes the line, not odds makers, my take is each team in should have been 8:1.

...From the mailbag this morning comes word from Dawn OWar---web maven of the newly debuted ross-the-boss.com. Flattered to hear from her, and look forward to swapping stories and lending any assistance I may be able to offer as the new site develops. Our hero and his Brain Surgeon buddies are up next October 21 for a save CBGB benefit, and then they're off the to left coast for a half dozen or more dates in November.

...#5 Georgia travels up the Hillbilly Highway to take on the nattily clad #8 Tennessee Volunteers in today's collegiate gridiron marquee match up (3:30---CBS). As to which clan is more insufferable is the stuff of which deep meaningful thought is made. Nearing the midway point in the regular season, and despite a slow start each of the last two weeks, USC remains in a different dimension than anyone else, but that in and of itself is not an unusual take near the midway point of any given season. Texas might make for a worthy foe, but there's baseball to concern oneself with at present. The lack of a playoff system can wait for when it doesn't happen after we deal with the important business at hand. And like it or not, a Bulldog win in Knoxville would elevate Georgia to the true elite in what would appear to be a down/parity type year.

...Nice to get a morning off and have the staff/ace correspondents do the work for you. First, our condolences to neighbor Cindy on the loss of her aunt yesterday, and we wish her a safe trip to the epicenter of the universe---Morganton, NC, or Tucker II as we like to call it in the hood. Prior to learning of the sad affairs she bumped off a Braves/Bobby Cox take (also prior to last night's Braves' win to tie the series at 1-1):

Per your Briefing yesterday - don't waste your money on going to the game. Sit at home and play the 14 year old Bobby Cox Playoff (aka playOUT) game. It's easy. Get a really great caliber ballclub together and guide them through a 162 game season. Receive kudos for finishing at the top of the division for 14 years straight. Enter playoffs with the same team. In a crucial 5 game series (that means EVERY GAME IS IMPORTANT NOW) make all decisions based on stats/numbers/dexterity/voodoo that occurred during the marathon-like regular season. Fail to realize that losing the first game in this short series is usually pointing to THE END OF THE SEASON FOR YOUR TEAM. Continue in Game 2 to make managerial, roster, sub decisions that defy logic to even the most clueless baseball observer. Lose Game 2, and then Game 3 (in effect - THE SERIES) by playing has-been veterans like Brian Jordan instead of Ryan Langerhans and/or Adam LaRoche. Then tell Skip, "Gee Skip, I don't know, I mean the Astros got some hits off of some good pitches. What are ya gonna do?".

I hope I am wrong. But getting really really really tired of this.
This is not an uncommon take around the ATL and/or the entirety of MLB with regard to the Braves and their lack of post season success. It is indeed curious to say the least. Brother Bill has speculated that Cox "chokes" come playoff time, but that seems odd. One normally thinks of choking at a crucial moment, not filling out a lineup card. And yes, there have been some head scratching moves made by the skipper over the years. The Suttle take is not nearly as harsh, and finds the situation similar to that of Dean Smith or Tom Landry. Tex Schram and Landry took an expansion team (1960) and turned them into a dynasty in 5 years, and Landry had the "can't win the big one" hung on him for nearly a decade til they won a Super Bowl. Two rings for Dean Smith in over 25 years while winning more games than any coach in the history of college hoops against the best competition the country had to offer (ACC) each and every year. Now if Cox trots out a B squad (ala game 6 v. Padres in the '98 NLCS) we've really got an issue. Otherwise, the 162 thing is a much bigger deal than a 5 game series, but that's just me. Either way, it beats the hell out of the 70's or 1990, et al---dark days indeed.

...Speaking of the Braves, the win last night ties the series at 1 all as they head to Houston for game 3 Saturday night. Forgot they got a new ballpark, so reckon no special ground rules will have to be put into effect: balls that strike evacuee in fair territory=ground rule double, etc...

...No further word from cuzin Bill who this week is pimping Blue Microphones at a trade show in NYC. My boy called Wednesday afternoon, asking if he should try to call Manitoba and get him over to the show. While flattered that my opinion was sought, I had little insight to lend, excepting "why not?" Unfortunately, this subject did not come up earlier, in that I would have suggested and assisted in making contact with HDM, Shernoff and Ross, all of whom are in NYC to the best of my knowledge. A surprise, impromptu "reunion" might just do the trick, and maybe sell a few mics in the process.

...Pressed for time, but not so much as to not belatedly acknowledge the passing of the Varsity's most infamous car hop: Nipsey Russell at the age of 80. In honor of his death I offer the following tribute:

Nipsey is dead;
His heart no longer strokin'.
So we bid adieu
To TV's first token.

Not a bad gig
Nipsy made a lot of money.
A fortunate thing
Cause he never was funny.

...To go or not to go---to the ball game that is. Braves open Divisional Series play this afternoon at the Ted. Unsure at this writing as to whether the game if officially sold out, but plenty of ducats are flying around out there at very reasonable prices. Yes, this is incomprehensible for some, but keep in mind that 1) The ATL is not among the best sports towns in the world; and 2) after 14 straight trips to the post season one must pick and choose which high priced games for which to buy tix. With a limited budget, does one forgo this series for the NLCS or World Series? May hold off til tomorrow night with the anticipated Smoltz v. Clemens match up---a change from the originally announced rotation.

...To the rescue once again: for those on both sides of the aisle in the Senate who are desperately looking for something to ask about Supreme Court nominee Miers can calm down. Here are a few suggestions: Ms. Miers, where does the authority of Congress end with regard to the interstate commerce clause? Ms. Miers, despite the awkward wording, is it your belief that the Second Amendment to the Constitution specifically delineates the right of a citizen to keep and bear arms? Ms. Miers do you see a strongly implied privacy right in the 4th-6th Amendments to the Constitution? Ms. Miers, from where do the powers of government emanate? Senators of any stripe are welcome to email me should you require any more help in evaluating the nominee.

...From the mail bag yesterday comes this email:
"Who the hell are you? And from where are you writing? I like your style!
Sandy Suttle
Wichita, KS" Thanks Sandy. Keep those cards and letters coming. Replied with a short bio. Updates if and when they happen.

...Big news in The Dictators underground---the debut of ross-the-boss.com Still under construction, the site does have a pithy bio that briefly covers his career, including a start as a child violin virtuoso. This aids in putting things into some perspective, given I've never gotten around to asking him: Ross, exactly when did you figure out you weren't like the other boys and girls? Brain Surgeons, with our hero Ross, at CBGB next weekend. Donations for a pseudo Haj may be made to my Paypal account here . A sure fire addition to Suttle World's Cool Links page. Let's see, we've got Ross' site and a half ass Manitoba's site. Gee now we only need one from Shernoff and JP. Would they link to one another? Come to think about it---memo to Ross The Boss: following Brain Surgeons CBGB gig, just stay there. The Salvation Army a couple of doors down can provide food and water. Just stay til they close the place and move in more maggots or until the rest of The Dictators show up, whichever comes first. Brialliant!

...Braves are 10:1 to win it all this year---inducement enough to mosey over to the window and put down a few sheckles. Yankees are 7:2 favorites. The Padres are your 22:1 long shot. Reminding the gentle surfer of the past three world champions, Angels, Marlins and Red Sox, all the king's charts and all the king's graphs are of no use in determining the winner, so just "pull up a chair..."

...The NHL has begun play again. This falls into the news department because rumor has it that they didn't play last year, though no one seems certain nor cares. More interesting than the regular season is the anticipated release of the sure to be best seller by Gary Bettman and the NHLPA: How To Ruin A Perfectly Good Sport in 5 Short Years. Maybe Larry O'Brien could take over, or, better yet, wake up Bowie Kuhn. Still, the red line is gone. Next in the eraser's cross hairs: the 3 point arch.

...Memo to President Bush: you're delegation style of management is fine---worked well for President Reagan. Here's the deal: whoever is in charge of running Supreme Court nominees up the flag poll is genius. The folks in charge of most everything else are not. Now that Ms. Miers has been nominated, could we please put whomever is in charge of such things at the head of OMB or the Defense Department?

...Judith Miller is released from jail after serving nearly three months on a contempt charge for refusing to divulge a source before a grand jury. Those looking for in depth coverage of the incarceration and events leading up to same of their ace reporter in the 1 million word Sunday edition of the New York Times are still searching. Not one mention. Dumbfounding. Perhaps this is an opportunity cost issue. If one is preoccupied with making up news, its difficult to cover reality as it happens.

...OK, finally got a Braves post season schedule with which to work. Game 1 here Wednesday at 4:00 and 2 on Thursday at 8:00. Good to see Jeff Bagwell activated in time for the series? Also curious your 20 game winner (Oswalt) is relegated to the #3 role, with Petit and Clemens starting ahead of him in games 1 and 2 respectively. Smoltz v. Clemens in game one would be make for high drama on paper, given Roger's September swoon, the match ups make sense---sort of.

...From the just getting around to it department: The Fish Bowl. Yes, boys and girls, private money (and props for that) is building the world's biggest fish bowl right in the middle of the ATL. Still completing construction and attempting to overcome some final hurdles (literally---stepping over and around bums in downtown, in the form of a faster and louder loitering ordinance), this project may well equal that of the new Underground as the true saviors of downtown. The Expedia and Travelocity servers are going to melt down with throngs clamoring to get to the ATL to see the fish. This had to be a Piggly Wiggly board meeting deal---you know, that meeting of whomever to decide on the name of an emerging retail grocery chain. One guy in the back chimes in: "I know! I know! Let's call is Piggly Wiggly!" And everyone else said: "yeah Bob, great idea." So here we are at this meeting armed with more money than God trying to figure out how to be good citizens and help revitalize downtown. Let's see, we could put a casino downtown. There's no gambling between Atlantic City and the former Gulf Coast. Nah... OK, the Federal Prison is 120 years old and sits on enough land to put in a thoroughbred race track in an area of town that is depressed and could be brought back to life. Nah... OOOH! OOOH! I know! Let's build the world's biggest fish tank. And everyone said: "yeah Bob, that's a great idea!"

...The opponent may still TBD, but it would seem as though the Braves post season schedule could be announced anyway. Sure would make planning a might easier. Meanwhile, FEMA is rushing emergency supplies of replacement shower curtain rods to New England just in case.

...AMF third quarter. At this point we'd have a drum roll and go to the tote board with Ed McMahon for the big finish, but the folks at TopTips haven't given a final figure, so we don't have an official total for federal spending in the fiscal year ending last midnight. $2.5 trillion give or take a few hundred billion. No doubt its just another whacky Suttle take to point out that some 15 years or so ago, some really smart folks insisted that if only the 30+ year stranglehold that Democrats held on the House could be broken, all could be remedied. These smart folks even rose up to slay the dragon in an improbable power shift. And last night Fiscal Year 2005 ended with federal spending around $2.5 trillion (2,500,000 million dollar bills) give or take a few hundred billion. To paraphrase George Carlin: it is thinking about things like this that keep me from getting stuff done.

...Last night was the most fun I can recall having watching a baseball game in a long time, and that's quite an admission from an old fart Braves and National League devotee. Even better, it made for more compelling baseball today and Sunday. OK, in case you're just re-entering the atmosphere, here's the deal: In the AL, the Sox beat the Yankees 5-3 to tie the AL East while the Indians lost to the White Sox leaving Cleveland a game behind Boston and New York in the AL Wild Card race. The Phillies moved to a within a game of the Astros in the NL Wild Card by beating the Nationals while the Cubs came from behind to upend Houston. The two salient AL games begin at 1:00 with both NL games of interest starting around 4:00 (EDT). Fox has all four and local listings are yet to reflect the changed schedules. We'll get NY/Boston at 1:00. NL game TBA.

...Current read Grand Slam by Mark Frost is probably not doable except by those who have a particular fascination with golf history and specifically Bobby Jones. It is a detailed (in some cases excruciatingly so) Jones bio and account of his conquering of the Slam. Jones was very wearied by the experience and the reader certainly shares that as we come down the stretch, but the reader is also inspired to complete the 500+ page ordeal by Jones' courage and perseverance. An interesting literary technique, but not exactly at the top of my list. Meanwhile McCullough beckons.

...Again, its probably just me. If I wore a PhD on my sleeve and assumed a professorial role for a particular college level course, be it traditional or on-line, I would at least act as though I gave a shit, but, again, its just me and the usual Suttle peculiarities.