For, I don't know, months, maybe a year or even more, we've been keeping an eye on the Bush administration and its foolish desire to test an evil called a bunker-buster missile, capable of digging deep into the ground to kill bad guys. You know, the ones who don't subscribe to born-again theology, a capitalist ethic that feeds only the rich and a brand of "democracy" that has turned off more than 50 percent of the American pubic that would rather watch "American Idol" than vote.

Now, we're on a death watch in North Korea where a looney toon dictator has an itchy trigger finger.

Are we on the eve of a frightening Nuclear Winter?

John Bolton, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has said that if North Korea let's rip with a nuclear test, the world will not be the same the next day.

This isn't just tough talk. Bolton, who has pushed the United States to withdraw from any type of agreement to stop testing nukes, is one of those Project for a New American Century ultra-conservative chicken hawks who believe the future of the planet lies in America's military might and domination of world politics and economy. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse -- Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rice -- have pitched their tent in the same camp.

You can't pour enough Jack Daniels to sit this one out calmly as these two belicose titans sit prepared for a scuffle of biblical proportions.

Hammer of Thor or hand of God?

We'll have to see.

Meanwhile, pour me a double and turn up the jukebox. I think I hear Willie singing "Whiskey River" somewhere in the background.

Posted by Ed Kociela at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBacks ( 0 )

The Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup hits its fourth stop on Sunday at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama for the UAW-Ford 500. It's restrictor-plate racing that can amaze and confound a lot of people.
Some say it's not real racing. Some drivers complain because the constant drafting needed to be successful takes control of the outcome out of their hands.
It's time for the critics to shut their mouths.

Restrictor-plate racing was instated by NASCAR in 1988, a full 18 years ago, because officials were worried that the speeds at Talladega and Daytona were so wildly fast that cars wouldn't stay on the track - at least that's how I've heard the story.
So after 18 years of the stuff, why is everyone starting to whine about restrictor-plate racing now?
I know - the complaining is a result of the pressure of running for the championship. Seems some people are worried that a wreck will knock their favorite driver out of contention. Sorry, but that argument doesn't fly with me. Look at what happened to Kasey Kahne at New Hampshire. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and there were no restrictor plates on his car.
Talladega has run NASCAR races twice a year every year since the speedway opened in 1969. The racing is fast, furious, and a blast to watch.
I remember Elliott Sadler's multiple flips on the final lap of the 2004 and 2005 fall races. Scary sights, but they would have been a lot worse had restrictor plates not been on his car.
With Jeff Burton as the current championship leader, he knows full well he, along with the rest of the Chasers and the 43-car field, has to survive 188 laps. Once they do, the rest of the season will be cake.
Into everyone's life, a little challenge must fall. For NASCAR drivers, Talladega is one of the best challenges on the circuit. Let the drivers race and let the restrictor plates fall where they may.

Posted by Tom Zulewski at 05:34 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBacks ( 0 )

Thursday, Oct. 5

Should be interesting to watch how the T-Birds react to what several players and coaches described as the "toughest loss I've ever been associated with" after blowing an 11-point lead to Cal Poly last Saturday. The Mustangs ralled to beat SUU 18-14. My gut feeling is Wes Marshall has a big day after turning the ball over four times against Cal Poly.

McNeese, who was ranked for the first three weeks of the season, is also coming off a tough loss. The Cowboys blew an 11-point halftime lead to South Dakota State last Saturday at home.

Kyle Coop, who missed the Texas State game with a sprained ankle, played Saturday but hyper-extended his knee ini the T-Birds' 18-14 loss.

Posted by Beau Eastes at 04:07 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBacks ( 0 )

We put up with low wages in this little corner of the world because of certain quality of life benefits.

The crime's not bad, the weather's pretty nice and the views are spectacular.

Well, the weather's still pretty nice, but the crime rate is rising and those spectacular views are disappearing.

The lava beds just above St. George are about to vanish. Big earth movers and trucks are changing the panoramic view of those beautiful lava beds and the red hills that lie beyond. Elsewhere, homes are dotting the hillsides, further tarnishing the natural beauty.

That's why I'm starting to think that maybe this land bill being pushed by Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, and Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, is not such a great thing after all.

I admit that when I came here nearly a dozen years ago, I, too, had the mentality of those who want to close the door behind them. It was unfair, of course, because a city that does not grow dies.

However, maybe we're growing too fast. Maybe we're paving over too much of paradise. Maybe this land bill thing isn't well thought out.

I worry about what kind of homes will be built on that 25,000 acres of federal land that will go up for sale. Will they support the workforce or be more of the high-end homes we see taking over our community? What about the working class men and women who try to make ends meet here? What will happen to them?

That's you and me, pal. Well, at least me, because I can't afford to live in a $300,000 home let alone those that are tipping the scales at $1 million-plus.

What will this do to the economy? More importantly, what will this do to our children and grandchildren? Will they ever have a chance to make it here?

The Vision Dixie folks have a shot at pulling together some of the planning on this. I hope they insist on Bennett and Matheson holding their bill until a true plan for the future is established that will preserve the beauty that surrounds us, provide for those who need affordable housing and find that delicate balance between the two.

Otherwise, we're no better off than we are now.

Posted by Ed Kociela at 07:42 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 16 ) | TrackBacks ( 0 )

Did you happen to see the finish of the Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday? In a word, it was bizarre.
Not only did we get to see all of the final 67 laps under green - that's a full one-fourth of the 267 laps that make up the distance - but Tony Stewart won the race and didn't have a drop of fuel in the tank.
That's right. If the car had a gas gauge (and it doesn't) the needle would have been firmly on "E"

But it wasn't just Stewart that had a dry tank. Casey Mears, Kasey Kahne, and Tony Raines were all victimized when their fuel-extension gambles came up blank.
As crazy as the finish was, Stewart's gamble was something he couldn't have afforded to take if he were running among the Chasers. Had he been, there's no doubt he would've gone in for a splash of gas like points leader Jeff Burton did late.
But while Burton finished sixth, he added to his points lead, which is now 69 over Denny Hamlin and 70 over Mark Martin with seven races left in 2006.
To say Hamlin is amazing is putting it mildly. The pressure of the Chase would wreck mere mortals, but the rookie is totally oblivious to the whole circus. He's just out there going for the prize, and that's a darn awesome sight to see.
Next week, it's time for Talladega, where the Big One - a multi-car pileup - is lurking around any of the 33-degree banked turns. Martin fell victim to the Big One a year ago at the UAW-Ford 500. Jimmie Johnson did, too.
Should the Big One take out Burton, Hamlin, or Martin, those on the lower end of the standings may still have a shot at the title.
It's time for the fans to put their faith to the ultimate test.

Posted by Tom Zulewski at 09:24 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBacks ( 0 )