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Today- Receiving Stats

USC- Davis-      538 yrds (15.8 avg), 34 receptions, 5 TD’s

           Turner-   331 yrds (10.3 avg), 32 receptions, 1 TD

ORE- Williams- 505 yrds (16.3 avg), 31 receptions, 5 TD’s

            Dickson-  255 yrds (13.4 avg), 19 receptions, 2 TD’s

 USC- average 242 passing yards a game, 61st in the nation with a team total 156 receptions

ORE- average 269 passing yards a game, 37th in the nation with a team total   145 receptions

USC clearly favors running the ball, and that is no surprise given their talented backfield. Oregon, on the other hand is comfortable at quaterback, but matches its level of play with a strong run game. Oregon seems to have more a defined-pattern scheme while USC, at times, seems to lack an identity.

Advantage- Oregon is clearly favored in the passing game, especially if John David Booty will not start for USC.

Coverage of the Game:

Monday- Passing breakdown

Tuesday- Rushing corps

Today- Receiving corps

Thursday- Defensive analysis

Friday- Intangibles- Coaching, wins, etc…

Saturday- Game day! Schedule outlook~ which team has the best shot to be the PAC-10 champ?

Ron Paul’s supporters will wake up this morning and realize what most Libertarian leaning Conservatives realized along time ago- the ‘big tent’ of the Republican party has no room left for Liberty. Despite attracting many new voters and activists to the political forums, the Republican party has actively sought to minimize any impact that a Ron-Paul-as-frontrunner campaign would do in its attempt to keep control of the White House.

Having already effectively ordered a media ‘quiet’ on Ron Paul, despite being third in fundraising last quarter, first in straw poll voting and leading in ‘new donors’, the Republican party is not yet satisfied. They know all too well that the energetic, youth and organized supporters on Ron Paul can and will work around those restrains.

The message of Hope, Liberty and Freedom runs, quite often, with a vicious contrarian streak to current Republican neo-conservative dogma. Quite simply- the Republican party wants to ’steer’ the electorate in making this an issue campaign, as historically both parties have done. The issue of this election, as the GOP wishes it to be, will be mandated as the ‘war on terror’. Ideology campaigns, like Liberty and Freedom, require more effort, time, and educating the electorate. That simply does not fit in to today’s voter-contact models.

But their is a nagging problem: Ron Paul is gaining traction. He was accepted into the Republican ‘top-tier candidates only’ fundraising dinner. He raised $5 million in third quarter alone this year. Voters flock to hear his message.

Well… the media doesn’t report on him. So guess what? Now they are turning to cutting off his network. The blogs and social networking sites that serve to spread his message and organize his campaign.

Don’t believe me? Check this story out. RedState.com was a member of a recent RNC ‘newsmakers’ dinner. Direction from a political party is often neither direct or transparent. You must a assume that an insider is acting out of shared consideration of the establishment of the party. That would be the censorship of Ron Paul’s message by the MSM and Republican party.

In fact, other sources are actively calling for party members to ’shell out’ Ron Paul supporters from the party. That story, here.

Conservative Townhall.com also calls Ron Paul a, ‘presciption for disaster.

So let me put it to you this way: I don’t really care what YOU think about Ron Paul. I care about Liberty, Freedom, the Constitution and American Sovereignty. If those are issues that the party wishes to exclude, let it be at their own peril, because I will not be disswayed in my support for the cause. If the party chooses to ignore the millions of voters who want to see the candidates take up these issues then fine, let them alienate themselves from these volunteers and donors. Just don’t come crying to us when you lose the White House. Just don’t come crying to us when the party falls apart because of its drunken-sailor spending and bankrupting war.

A party that censors its candidates to promote a view of the world along narrow party platforms will have trouble maintianing its power without the help of the force of government. It’s absolutely the mark of fascism. We may have to admit that there is very little anyone can do to stop the New World Order. Is it predestined that we will sell our sovereignty for profit? It is predestined that we will let tax burdens destroy our economy? It is predestined that party leaders will use fear and issue-steering despite massive outcries for reform?

It appears so.

It’s Alice In Wonderland. V for Vendetta. 1984. And it’s happening right before our very eyes.

RedState.com showed its true colors today. There is no room for debate in the neo-cons’ worldview. Whatever actions the party must take to ’silence’ these pesky Paul-ians, it seems, will be perfectly justified. So long as the advisors to the GOP leaders tell them it presents the best possible outcome to win the election.

Isn’t progress great?

What do you do with a drunken sailor?

Ask yourself- has our party lost it’s way? Lower Taxes, Less Government, Family Values. How exactly are these ideals being represented by those we now call ‘Republicans’?

Isn’t progress great?

Take a good look at that face. Is this the face of modern medicine? Is this what your doctor looks like? In the name of decency, is this really a person that expresses empathy with your medical plight?

Do you really trust the government to be involved in the healthcare remedies you will receive? A government that couldn’t get Katrina response right, a government that is committing us to nearly endless war, a government whose tax agents can only accurately recount an interpretation of the the tax code less than half the time? No, it would be madness to let a government agent choose the limits of healthcare you can receive.

Maggie Gallagher notes a different take in her column ‘The Cost Of Hillarycare’:

I don’t know why Canadians tolerate a system where sick people are routinely denied quick access to care that they need. But the logic of “free government health care” is this:

“When no one is faced with any charge for services, demand is unrestrained and costs surge,” June O’Neill and Dave O’Neill report. “It is not surprising that shortages developed and explicit rationing became widespread in Canada.”

Is that really where Hillary wants us to go?

That is arguably the most important and least heard element of this debate. Something to consider the next time the media parades some poor sap who has some disease and who’s father refuses to get a job to pay for her healthcare. I know, I’m so cheery, sun-shiny and positive. Wah, emotional based legislation is the biggest threat to the Constitution today. Under the name of ‘helping the children’, ‘helping the poor’ or ‘helping the disadvantaged’ all our rights will be whittled away.

In those eyes lie madness, a pure hatred for humanity.

Today’s countdown breakdown- Rushing Statistics

USC- Washington- 96 carries for 426 yrds, 4.4 yrds a carry, with 6 TD’s.

           Johnson- 54 carries for 425 yrds, 7.9 yrds a carry, with 4 TD’s

ORE- Stewart- 131 carries for 940 yrds, 7.2 yrds a carry, with 7 TD’s

           Dixon their quaterback is also mobile with 423 yrds and 7 TD’s.

USC- 202 average rushing yards a game, 21st in the nation

ORE- 295 average rushing yards a game, 3rd in the nation

USC Has tons of depth and talant at running back

But Oregon has guys who can deliver, with more TD’s in the depth chart

It would be hard to make a case for either team, its talent versus production. Oregon has more proven production, but a large percentage of that is in their Quaterback, which will allow USC to hone in on both the passing and rushing game. USC has tons of depth, widely regarded as having one of the deepest backfields in college football.

Advantage- it’s a push, but look for prennial PAC-10 favorite USC to lead the stats.

Coverage of the Game: 

Monday- Passing breakdown 

Today- Rushing corps

Wednesday- Receiving corps

Thursday- Defensive analysis

Friday- Intangibles- Coaching, wins, etc…

Saturday- Game day! Schedule outlook~ which team has the best shot to be the PAC-10 champ?

Both are 6-1, both have shot to be the PAC-10 champ. I am totally honest, I am totally pumped for this game. If you can only watch one game this weekend, make it the USC, Oregon game.

The countdown will work like this: every day a new analysis
Stat comparison of the day- Passing Yards And Comparisons

USC- J. Booty- 1239 Yards with 12 TD’s, 8 int’s and a 64% completion rate. (*if* he plays)
M. Sanchez- 388 Yards with 5 TD’s, 3 int’s(in one game) and a 58% completion rate. Wow.
Oregon- D. Dixon- 1721 Yards with 16 TD’s, 3 int’s and a 69% completion rate.

USC- Averages 242 yards a game (61st in the nation)
Oregon- Averages 269 yards a game (37th in the nation)

Advantage- Oregon, especially if USC’s John David Booty is unable to play.

Tomorrow- Rushing corps
Wednesday- Receiving corps
Thursday- Defensive analysis
Friday- Intangibles- Coaching, wins, etc…
Saturday- Game day! Schedule outlook~ which team has the best shot to be the PAC-10 champ?

David Beckham, busy with his newest ‘male fragrance’ ad campaign, has decided he is too ‘injured’ to play a sport no one likes on a team no one cares about and a league that everyone in America wishes would just go away.

Must be nice to collect a $100 million paycheck and have played in only 5 games with no scores. (And he is considered an ‘elite’ player!)

For comparisons sake, take the Tennessee Volunteers quarterback, Eric Ainge. He is playing one of the world’s most brutal team sports, in one of the toughest conferences in college football with a broken finger and ripped up ankle. Or take Trent Green, who has suffered, what like 3 season ending concussions and still wants to return to QB a NFL team? These are just a few examples sure, but face it~ soccer is for wussies.

Official: International Hackers Going After U.S. Networks.

Really? No shit? Ya Think?

Seriously, the media is absolutely asinine sometimes.

Email scammers swindle $10 million from Supervalu. 

A good proof source for people failing to realize the power of the internet. Seriously, you’re a basillion dollar business and you haven’t spent the money to prevent IT fraud? I would argue most of the grocery store industry operates in the age of the dinosaur. No wonder they won’t pay their cashiers fair wages!

The Republican Party, utterly failing to impress conservatives, now realizes it needs them on board to win the next election. The ‘drive-by’ media realizes this dependency is a threat to their control over the nomination of the next Republican presidential candidate.  Do not be swayed by their coverage- stick to your guns. The Republican party must answer to the Conservative movement- not the other way around.

It was an incredibly good sign that John McCain and Guilliani finished second to last and dead-last at the ‘Value Voters Summit’. Both of these candidates are an absolute destruction of party values. It is of no surprise to me that the media, who has so affectionately fawned all over these two RINO’s, began circulating reports that they should run as a President/Vice-President campaign. Yeah, because if we were not already certain to lose the election with either one of these candidates at the helm, we would for sure lose if they were on the same ticket. In fact, Guilliani even said, “I am not the best representation of faith”. You’re not the best representation of the Republican party either.

So what candidates are making in-roads with the Conservative movement?

Mitt Romney is winning the elections via voting shenanigans, but still is facing questions about his ‘conversion’ to the Conservative ideal.  On the Sunday morning news shows Romney kept insisting this morning, “I want to face the voters questions”. Good, because I want to know how a ‘moral’ person could have, at any time, supported abortion. I want to know how a Republican candidate could run for office and say, “I am not trying to bring back Reaganism”. And you’re running as a Republican because……?

Thompson, who hesitated to even run for President, seem utterly unprepared and without clear convictions outside of his sound bytes. Mr. Thompson, if you didn’t like serving in the Senate, then why would you want to be President? And furthermore, your record as a lobbyist shows a lot more about your real values than does your prepped speeches. Polls show he leads with ‘churchgoers’. But considering that those same polls show that Guilliani had the lead until Thompson surpassed him, I would argue that their is very little credibility in those polls.

And then there is Ron Paul, who is continuously bringing more and more on board with his campaign.

He is raising the money needed to be a contender in the race.

He is the leading contender in critical GOP voter segments.

He meeting critical party goals and gaining admittance into ‘top-tier candidate’ party fundraisers.

He is the only Presidential candidate harnessing new political power source- the Internet- effectively.

He has won more straw polls than any other candidate, and increased his standing with conservatives at this weekend’s ‘Voter Values’ summit, coming in third. And his did that by his ideas, not by paying his supporters to vote for him, as Romney did.

I cannot in good conscience vote for McCain or Guillini. And I don’t trust Thompson- how can I truly be behind someone who had to be talked into running? And Romney- I find his ‘conversation’ to Conservatism inspired by political opportunity.

Ron Paul is the only candidate that is talking about the issues I, you, everyone else, cares about. The War in Iraq, the devastating effect of NAFTA and GATT, the coming usurpation of the Constitution by the United Nations and North American Union. He is the only candidate who is inspired, as our founding fathers were, by Liberty and Freedom.

Give Ron Paul a look- he is the only one who can keep all factions of the Republican party together. He is the only candidate addressing the issues that voters actually care about. He is the only candidate who doesn’t let the media dictate his positions for headlines news. And that, my friends, is exactly what we need to restore the party to its values.

Comcast joins the foray of ISP’s that seek to regulate what its users can and cannot see, can and cannot do on the net.

Well South Florida finally took a loss on the season at Rutgers tonight. When you play the 9th toughest schedule of Division I football its bound to happen sooner or later… Methinks they will still be at the top of the Big East on the last game of the year..

 Without further ado…….

The Heisman Bet Games-

(14) USC v Notre Dame- Wow here is a big surprise… Notre Dame on NBC!! At least they play a team worth watching this week. Look for Booty to find continued confidence in this game playing, well, Notre Dame.

Arkansas v Mississippi- McFadden will run, we know that, and we know Arkansas has outscored Mississippi this year. Look for Mississippi to try and set a quick rhythm with their passing attack, while Arkansas to run the ball to eat up clock for the win.

The SEC Games-

(21) Tennessee v Alabama- Wow.. if you have ESPN Gameplan, this is my must watch game of the weekend. As I have stated before, I am a fird believer in Ainge, but I also am a beliver in Nick Saban. He wouldn’t leave NFL coaching if he didnt feel he could take `Bama to the top of the SEC. I am going to take `Bama on this one for this simple fact- Ainge is playing with a broken finger, his passing stats are off. `Bama comes into this game with two quality and close wins, proving that Saban’s system is working. I do not have cable, but if I did I would be glued to this game.

Vanderbuilt v (6) South Carolina- Seriously, how loaded is the SEC? Look at the coaching- practically all the premier coaches in Division I football are in the SEC. Look for the Gamecocks to win this one, and watch to see if they can develop more of a offensive attack. Their passing and rushing stats leave much to be desired, but hey, their win totals overide that. Take Spurrier to win at home.

(15) Florida v (7) Kentucky- Oh man, this isn’t cool. I have to stick with Kentucky after last weeks blog post, but this could be a trap game. I was hard on Kentucky earlier this year, but knocking off (1) LSU is impressive, very impressive. I will take Florida to win, but wouldn’t be at all surprising if once again Kentucky proves me wrong. On CBS, my must watch game of the week (unless you ESPN Gameplan).

(17) Auburn v (should be number 1, but 4) LSU- I strongly believe LSU will rebound after its loss last week, and I am not totally sold on Auburn-yet. Auburn should hold its ranking legitimitally though, but look for them to struggle against the loaded SEC team.

The PAC-10 Games-

(10) Oregon v Washington- Washington is licking it chops with locker at the helm, at rightfully so. He may just well be there best shot at regaining some street cred in the PAC-10. However, Oregon is coming to town. They are 3rd in the nation is total yrds a game, 30th in passing yards, 4th in rushing yards, and 5th in the nation in points scored. This may may well be a good game for the Huskies coach to open the playbook a little and see what Boy Wonder can do. I am really impressed with Dixon at the Helm for the Ducks. He keeps the run game balanced, delivers a upper decent to solid passing game, and most importantly, does not turn the ball over. He comes into this game with on 2 interceptions. Yes, thats two for the whole year. I really really like Oregon to win the PAC-10, but we cannot get to far ahead of our selfs here, they play (14) USC at home next week then hit the road for (8) Arizona State. If they Ducks are hungry for the PAC-10 title, this would be the prime game to take a win and build momentum.

(12) Cal v UCLA- yikes! You know Cal should win this game, but look at the stats, they practically the same team! Yowzers… I will predict now an 11-1 Cal team versus an 10-2 Oregon team for the PAC-10 title this year. On ABC.

The Big East Games-
Mississippi State v (9) West Virginia- WV likes to run the ball. Alot. That eats up clock at puts pressure on MSU to throw the ball to play catch-up. Problem is, heh, they have no offensive game. MSU is 113th in total yards and 116th in passing yards. This is not a game Mississippi can win, WV may even be able to work its passing game out a bit more.

(should be ranked) Louisville v Connecticut- UConn does not give up points, its actually quite impressive. I still believe in Brohm, lets see if he can solve the Huskies puzzle…

(23) Cincinnati v Pittsburgh- Another fun game to watch. Oh, what do you know, its a Big East match up!
The Big 12 Games-

(5) Oklahoma v Ohio State- Not much to write about here.

(13) Kansas v Colorado- You want so much to think that Colorado would be able to will a win out here. A 6-0 conference opponent, who by the way beat (5) Oklahoma earlier this year. You have to believe Hawkins still has a little feist in him to get this done. The biggest problem will be the fact that Colorado gives up lots of points, and Kansas has a competent QB gunning his targets. It’s a hard sell for sure, but I think Colorado has a few more upsets in them this season.

(24) Texas Tech v (16) Missouri- Tech is fun to watch- 1st in total yards, passing yards, 2nd in points scored. Their QB Harrell has 3151 yards and 31 touchdowns on the season. I mean, seriously, wow. Colt Brennan who? Sure it’s at Missouri, but Tech has a goal line RB, a gunslinger QB and receiver depth. Take Tech.

(22) Texas at Baylor- yawn, you already how this game ends, it’s not pretty.

The Big 10 Games-
Michigan State v (1) Ohio State- Ohio State was the lucky beneficiary after the pollsters chose to ‘punish’ the real #1 LSU. If the Buckeyes hope to remain a better lead on the spot they had better not only win this game, but look impressive doing so. Tressel will have them ready, but will they respond to this new glorification? On ABC.

(25) Michigan v Illinois- Hmmm.. I beleive Michigian will win this game, but it could be interesting, Michigian has no played well on the road as of late. The ABC late game, which means we might actually get to see more than one game this week!

The ACC Games-

(19) Virginia v Maryland- Virginia’s stats aren’t all that impressive, but hey, what the hell- they are 6-1.

Army v (should be ranked) Georgia Tech- The service academies are not very good. Georgia Tech will benefit from this as they seek to develop their passing game, which in turn will help open up their already decent run game.

Wake Forest v Navy-Again a service academy.

The WAC Games-

Boise State v Louisiana Tech- A solid win here could help the Broncos creep back into the Top 25. Look for a rebound defensive unit who was embarrassed last week by Nevada to hold La Tech down. La Tech always gives BSU trouble, but maybe last week’s game will boost BSU’s level of play this week.

(18) Hawaii has a bye week.

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Did I miss the call? Let me know! Register as a user and post feedback. Unless you are a University of Idaho alumni, in which case, please spare us all the burden and don’t.

Idaho Republicans should be concerned- very concerned. There may well be an aggressive attempt to increase property taxes. Fighting any property tax increase will be a hard fought battle, but it must be done if Republicans in Idaho hope to garner some favor with anti-tax advocates.

Nationally, the effect of falling home prices due to the housing slump is already starting to catch up to some of the more high-friction housing markets. While buyers may rejoice, the effect this has on people attempting to sell their homes is devastating, especially those stuck in predatory Adjustable-Rate-Mortgages.

But that issue will ultimately be self-correcting, at some point the market will recover from this ‘adjustment’ as it has so many times before and home values will once again begin to rise predictably. At least, in theory.

The bigger issue is how County governments will ultimately handle this downturn in the housing market in relation to the property tax assessments. In Chicago, a city with a volatile housing market right now, property tax increases are already being considered as a way to re-coup lost property tax income due to falling property assessment values.

Sure, in Illinois, and Chicago no less, but could this happen here? You scoff, but hold your horses.

Did you catch this story?

Canyon County, the fastest growing county in Idaho over the last five years, is already beginning to question whether its property tax assessments are, in fact, too high. Furthermore, as many home sellers will tell you, houses just are not moving off the market right now. I personally know many people attempting to sell their homes in the area right now, and I tell you, their is but a trickle of interest for one of the more commuter-heavy counties in the region.

Canyon County also will be faced with another predicament- it will have a tougher time recovering from lost property values due to the housing slump.

Right now comparables for homes in Ada and Canyon counties are even, or so close most lenders will be able to squeeze buyers into the preferred home of their choice. And of the the biggest reasons for the above mentioned growth over the last five years has been the housing pricing- it used to be the benefits of buying a home in Canyon County meant you could be into a home for far less.

However, the pricing, all equal now, and for the foreseeable future, will directly and negatively impact the Property Value recovery in Canyon County. The reason is complex, but it can best be summed up this way- their are no quality jobs in Canyon County. There are quality jobs in Ada County. Captain Obvious will tell you that all things considered, most people will prefer to live closer to work and play rather than farther, if they can afford it.

This will cause a ripple effect for counties that serve as a ‘bedroom community’ for Boise and Meridian. Falling property tax assessments will mean falling property tax revenue. And that will leave County Commissioners will one of two choices: cut services or raise taxes.
And here is the dirty secret about most county, state and federal budgets: very little is actually debatable.

After you get past mandatory spending provisions as dictated by the Federal Government, and financial commitments that counties have entered into, you will find that, on average only about 30% of any government budget is actually, well, budget-able.

So then you have to ask, how many politicians are willing to have the guts and nerve that is required to face the public and say, ‘your favorite government service needs to be cut’. I have found very few, that explains why government has an insatiable appetite for growth- in Idaho alone government grows at about 8% a year, and that is in a solid Republican state!

A return to the Republican principals of less taxes, limited government and family values is the only thing that will help the Republican party regain lost voters. Simultaneously arguing and voting in new property taxes hikes while conveying this message will only lend credence to the perception of the party that exists today- that we have lost our philosophical compass.

I have been involved in several political campaigns over the past two years, and I can tell you, without a doubt, that the mood for government reform is real- either cut taxes legitimately, or fully fund the services that government is providing. Haphazard approaches to a ‘comprehensive government’ only wet the appetite for voters to accept Socialist governments.

To sum it all up: the County Commissioners, as soon as the housing slump hits their budgeting cycles, will salivate for property tax hikes. And if Republicans won’t talk of cutting government then voters will turn to get the most of the services they will have to pay for anyway. And that, my dear readers, would be a win for the Democrats. Something we cannot, and must not, let happen.

Group threatens to sue Apple over iPhone toxins that exceed regulatory controls. Al Gore sits on Apple’s managing board.