How About Those Gators - In Gainesville, Florida, they live for Gator Football. Football is king at Gatorland, thanks to people like Coach Steve Spurrier.
Now comes Gator basketball.
Even though football will not be displaced in Gainesville due to the recent national championship won by the Gator basketball team, football no longer has total control over fan support in Gainesville. At the recent final four college basketball playoffs in Indianapolis, Gator fans were clearly present in large numbers. It was impressive to notice all the Gator fans at the final game proudly wearing Gator colors and doing the Gator chomp. (We have great fans in Florida.)
Nevertheless, it was east versus west, UCLA versus the GATORS, and Florida won. A big time win.
One announcer said he had never seen a final game where every team player played so well . . . I agree. The Gators were awesome . . . every player did well. Great coaching and a great team effort.
Next year?
If the players return and do not turn pro, they should be favorites for another championship run. After all, several of the players are only sophomores and juniors.
Florida has sent a message that there is more to Florida college sports than football.
Congratulations to the Gators and their sports program.
Tough To Insure A Home In These States - The five most expensive places to insure a home are: Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida and Washington D.C., according to Forbes magazine.
In Texas the average price for homeowners insurance is about $1,328 (that is just an average of all homes insured. Florida average is $810. Of course, this does not cover flood damage. In places like California, insurance typically does not cover earthquake damage. Thus, a homeowner might have insurance, but not full coverage.
The amazing thing about this Forbes report is that the premium numbers are not current. Premium rates for homeowner's insurance have increased to new record high levels (and many insurance companies refuse to write this form of insurance coverage).
The War In Iraq - In case you have not been following Fox News, you might not know that the war in Iraq has shifted to more of Iraqi soldiers handling skirmishes than U.S. troops. U.S. loss of lives is down while Iraqi soldiers are now beginning to shoulder more military responsibility.
Yes, there are killings and bombings. There is still terrorism in Iraq.
We can thank Iran and a few other non-friendly neighboring nations in the Middle East for helping to promote terrorism.
However, there is progress in Iraq and recent U.S. senate visitors (such as Sen. John McCain) saw the progress first-hand.
This is a terrible war that must be won for the sake of Iraqi people and U.S. national security.
Troop withdrawal in the near future?
U.S. leaders are saying yes.
Total withdrawal?
Not likely for several years. (I refer you to prior prolonged U.S. troop stays in such places as Korea, Germany, etc.)
History will tell us if the war in Iraq was worth the high price Americans have dearly paid. Some dates will never be forgotten - December 7th and September 11th are two of such dates.
The Army And Tattoos - Do you have tattoos on your neck and/or face?
Better be sure they are not racist, gang-related or sexy.
Why?
The U.S. Army refuses to admit candidates who exhibit such tattoos.
Small "unoffensive" tattoos are permittable, said U.S. Army officials who have relaxed tattoo rules.
Some teenagers might think it is popular to get tattoos; however, they had better think twice about getting certain tattoos or they could become ineligible for the military.
Big deal?
Only if you are thinking of a military career.
Rep. Tom Delay - Texas Congressman Tom Delay said he would not seek re-election due, in great part to his alleged participation in illegal campaign fundraising.
Delay felt his chances for re-election were not good and it was time to move-on and defend himself against campaign charges. This announcement came as a surprise to Delay supporters in Washington and his congressional district in Texas. Delay seemingly was either loved or hated by those involved in power politics. His decision to not run for re-election, however, opens his congressional district to a fresh voice in Washington, where Delay was often referred to as "the hammer."
Is the Delay decision more fallout from convicted "free-spending' lobbyist Abramnoff?
Probably.
Imagine all of this political legal stuff is due to illegal campaign fundraising and illegal campaign spending.
More political fallout? Probably.
Best Companies Of 2006 - Business Week picked the following companies as among the "Best Companies" of 2006.
CVS, Baker Hughes, National-Oilwell Varco, Weatherford, Aetna, Amgen, Apple Computer, Staples, Lowe's, Best Buy, Home Depot, Wal-Mart Stores, Dell, Symantec, FedEx, Lennar and others.
It was not surprising to notice energy sector companies as a part of the list; however, non-energy sector companies also made the short list such as CVS, Aetna, Wal-Mart and others.
One important criteria?
Customer satisfaction, said Business Week.
Hey, what about the banking industry!
Hmmm, makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Customer satisfaction . . . is important.
Exception Or The Rule - Duke University is making national news and it is not because of a winning basketball team; rather, Duke is in the news due to allegations of rape by certain Duke lacrosse players.
Reportedly the players hired female dancers to participate in one of their infamous lacrosse parties, plenty of drinking and partying. Of course none of that partying was new to the lacrosse team, they had been in trouble before due to things related to partying. However, this time a hired dancer said three players raped her and the district attorney believes her.
Does not look good for the school.
Here is the question: Are college athletes getting too much preferred treatment by school officials?
For example, the quarterback at one of our notable military academies is also under an allegation of rape . . . and so are some other athletes across the nation. On the other hand, are these noted sad stories only a small percentage of college athletes and, thus, merely a picture of what occurs on college campuses in general.
College drinking and partying? Yes, but that stuff happens on most college campuses every weekend. Regretfully, the situation at Duke made national news due to the participation of the lacrosse team. I wonder how many college rape situations occur that do not include college athletes! I'll bet the number is much higher.
I am not defending athletes at Duke or anywhere else. An athlete involved in such a situation deserves the worst. I believe the culpable people will be caught and the team, people not involved in the affair, will suffer great repercussions at Duke.
Preferred treatment for athletes on college campuses?
Yes, in certain instances they might have some benefits other students do not. Like tutoring and preferred class selections. However, in most cases they are good examples and typical college students.
Incredible - A mother found-out that a neighbor had molested her young son.
What did she do?
She asked how much he would pay her for doing it again.
The answer?
$600.
Now that authorities have caught the woman and the man involved, what should happen to the two?
Insanity defense?
And then there is the young boy . . .