Posse Incitatus

Let's Go TIGERS!

The Detroit Tigers have the best pitcher in baseball, soon-to-be Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander (24-5, 2.40 ERA); the American League batting champion and candidate for the MVP Award, Miguel Cabrera (.344); and a closer who boasts perhaps the most incredible season in the history of the game, "Big Papa" Jose Valverde (49 saves in 49 chances).

Tonight the American League playoffs begin for the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees.  The Tigers do battle against the Evil Empire, the prima donnas with the insufferable Alex Rodriguez; the media darlings who get WAY too much love; the team of Steinbrenner & Sinatra (all the more reason to detest them).

I'll never forget how great it was on that fall Saturday five years ago when the Tigers unexpectedly upset the hated Yanks in the playoffs en route to the World Series.

Rain showers are forecast for tonight's tilt, which begins at 8:40 p.m. EST.  I hope this thing isn't rain delayed and takes until 1 a.m. to complete.  I get up early these days, and just cannot stay awake as late as I did in my younger days.

But I sure am going to enjoy watching this team, which came on strong in the last two months of the season rather than going into a swoon as they had done several years in a row.

GO TIGERS!

 

Want to fix schools? Keep liberals away from them

Contrary to the liberal stereotype, conservatives actually love education.  We firmly believe that economic growth is fueled by a talented, well-educated and ambitious population.

We also understand that as it currently exists, our public education system is not effective and that the more money you pour into it, the worse things get.

One of the (many) reasons I dislike liberals is that they claim to be “for the children” but seem to be totally indifferent to whether or not “the children” actually benefit from their programs. 

Consider Detroit.

Here you have a city that has effectively collapsed and is now ruining its second consecutive generation of childrens’ lives.  The taxpayers of Michigan have offered truly huge sums of money and gotten nothing in return.

The liberals’ answer?  Spend even more money.

Unlike liberals, I tend to credit my opponents with good intentions.  I accept that people of goodwill can differ sharply on what method to achieve a common goal works best.  (This is in stark contrast with liberals, who assume that if you disagree with their methods, you must be EVIL!!1! and want to destroy the world.)

However, in the case of schools like Detroit, I can no longer give liberals the benefit of the doubt.  Given how much they focus on funding, they should be up in arms about the waste.  The money given to educate the poorest children in the state – the “most vulnerable” as the liberals like to call it – is being squandered to their long-lasting detriment.

And liberals are just fine with this.

At this point, one begins to question whether liberals actually give a damn about “the children” and are simply more interested in the dues their political allies harvest from the teachers’ unions.

Perhaps the most blatant example of this was in 2003, when wealthy philanthropist Bob Thompson offered the amazing sum of $200 million to build alternative schools in Detroit.  Surely, this was a liberal dream come true:  FREE MONEY and BETTER SCHOOLS.

Oh, but they wouldn’t be union schools.  There would be actual accountability.

Never mind.

Happily, the new mayor of Detroit, Dave Bing has managed to repair the bridge that ex-Gov. Jennifer Granholm torched nearly a decade ago.

Good for him – and good for the kids of Detroit.

My goal this year is trying to look on the positive side of things and if there is an upside to our current economic blizzard, it is this:  We are realizing just how much money we’ve been wasting for years.  There is nothing like a cash crunch to focus the mind.  School districts across the state (and across the country) are coming up with new salary plans, health benefits and other innovations to keep the doors open and actually improve education.

If the end result of Michigan’s “Lost Decade” is that we finally get a handle on our failed school districts, we really won’t have lost that much after all.

Millionaires and Billionaires

President Obama has suddenly decided he needs to play the left-wing populist card, and wallow in that tired, old class warfare.  Apparently, some misguided and perhaps delusional advisors have been telling him he needs to shore up support among the Daily Kos kooks and Michael Moron extremists (i.e., his base) in order to boost his poll ratings. They've got to be idiots if they don't realize that kowtowing to the leftist fringe alienates a huge swath of independents and moderate liberals.

Additionally, what's lost on Obama (and so many other smug leftists) is that the "average Joe" in flyover country that his crowd likes to ridicule recognizes the hypocrisy and double-standard, and is NOT amused.

John Edwards preached about "Two Americas" and tried to portray himself as a populist while he resided in a 30,000-square-foot mansion (some carbon footprint!) and made millions as an ambulance-chasing lawyer.  Babs Streisand preaches about the environment but lives in a massive Malibu estate.  Al Gore thunders righteously about global warming, but also lives in a palatial estate and regularly flies around in jets that emit mass quantities of CO2. 

And so it is with the First Family.  They live in the lap of luxury, taking European vacations, hobnobbing in Martha's Vineyard, and enjoying fancy restaurants.  They're about as close to being average Americans as Marie Antoinette was to her fellow French citizens.

But even worse for The One, Obama is alienating some of his own deep-pockets sugar daddies.  Take, for instance, Ted Leonosis, a big-time Obama contributor who came from a modest upbringing and progressed to great wealth through his own intelligence, hard work and perseverance.

Leonosis, owner of the NBA's Washington Wizards and the NHL's Washington Capitals, says he's getting fed up with being demonized by Obama's class warfare, and he recognizes the hypocrisy.  Let's hope Mr. Leonosis, who voted for the O-Man in 2008, will pull the plug on lining the Obama campaign coffers.

KINDRED SPIRITS — A few months ago I used this blog to castigate the RINO-ON-STEROIDS John Huntsman for his bad positions on so many issues.  I said it was telling that so many mainstream media hacks were falling all over themselves with their fawning praise of Huntsman, and parroting the contrived White House position that "Huntsman is the guy we really fear in the general election."  (Yeah, and I'm really afraid that Santa Claus is going to get hurt in my chimney and file suit against me!)

Well, then, it is fitting that the bloated demagogue Michael Moron has come out in support of hack Huntsman.  These two deserve each other.  Wasn't there an Aesop's Fable: "You shall know them by the company they keep"?

Oh, and, point of clarification:  PLEASE don't think the hypocritical leftist Moore is a Michigan State alum just because he often wears the MSU cap.  Matter of fact, he's a former student at the University of Michigan - Flint.  (Hint: The admission requirements are a lot more lax there than at the main campus in Ann Arbor, and still Moore dropped out!)

 

The Spartans and Lions: Patterns Emerge

Michigan State destroyed a lousy Central Michigan Chippewas squad, 45-7.  No surprise there.  Yours truly sat in the south endzone with a friend, and tailgated with several friends and acquaintances before and after the game on a beautiful 60-degree day in mid-Michigan.  We bought our tickets outside the stadium for only $10 apiece ($49 face value), in large part because not many people cared to see such a weak opponent or one-sided contest.

The Spartan ground game continues to disappoint.  MSU finished with a total of 197 yards rushing on 47 attempts, and was a pedestrian 6-for-15 on third down conversions.  Take away one 30-yard run by budding star tailback Leveon Bell, and it is 46 attempts for 167 yards -- under 4 yards per carry.  MSU's injury-riddled and inexperienced offensive line had better improve quickly, or the Spartans could fare poorly in Big Ten play.

Struggles on the offensive line were no surprise, but what was an unpleasant disappointment was the sub-par play of fifth year senior quarterback Kirk Cousins (13-for-22 with one interception). 

But it pays to look beyond the stats.  Sometimes a quarterback should have had a higher completion percentage because his receivers dropped balls thrown right to them.  In this case, however, Cousins is to blame for badly overthrowing or misfiring on numerous occasions when he had receivers wide open.  Most notably a play where tight end Dion Sims broke open down the middle and was 5-6 yards past the nearest defender, but the pass was 5-10 yards beyond his reach.

Cousins also threw a boneheaded interception into double coverage.  (Is this some kind of mental block, or what?  Fifth year senior QB's are not supposed to do this sort of thing, but it's happening to Cousins with alarming frequency.)  Captain Kirk must play far better next week at Ohio State, or it could be a nightmare buzzsaw for the green-and-white. (Think the Iowa game of 2010.)

Backup quarterback Andrew Maxwell relieved Cousins in the second half, and threw some incredibly accurate passes.  His crisp passing netted him an impressive 7-for-8 performance.  I look forward to seeing Maxwell get more playing time as the season progresses and he prepares to take the helm from Cousins next year.

Turning to the defense, Michigan State limited CMU to 112 total yards; highly impressive.  The Spartans intercepted four passes, and the secondary appeared to be covering CMU's receivers very tightly.  This is a nice change of pace from past years, when the secondary was often MSU's Achille's Heel.  It would not surprise me if MSU's secondary ended up being one of the conference's best.  The Spartan defensive line put reasonable pressure on CMU QB Ryan Radcliff.

The Spartans' special teams play was poor -- especially the punt team, which allowed a blocked punt that led to CMU's only touchdown.

Every team in the Big Ten has a few weak links and/or injury problems.  So it's not as if MSU's opponents will always have an advantage because of poor Spartan run blocking.  Our passing game is impressive, and more creative play calling (misdirection plays, end-around sweeps, etc., can improve the running game because MSU's backs Bell, Edwin Baker and Larry Caper, are pretty darned good.  But it looks like defense might be the saving grace for the green-and-white this season.  TIme will tell.

LIONS-VIKINGS — For too many years, the Minnesota Vikings have been a thorn in the Detroit Lions' side.  Usually Minnesota has had more talent than Detroit -- probably 80 percent of the time since the early 1970s.   Until today's 26-23 Lions victory in overtime, Detroit had not won in Minneapolis since 1997.

The game started out looking like the old Viking jinx and torment would continue.  Minnesota was ahead 13-0 late in the first half when Detroit punted, and the Vikings returned the punt 53 yards, and aided by a penalty against the Lions, were knocking on the door with under a minute to play.  Minnesota scored a gut-wrenching touchdown with 9 seconds left in the half to go ahead 20-0.

Detroit's defense stiffened considerably in the second half, and quarterback Matthew Stafford found his rhythm, spreading passes around to wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Titus Young, and tight end Brandon Pettigrew.  The Lions' passing game is formidable, but their running game is weak because of the same problem Michigan State has: an offensive line that is ineffective at run blocking.

At any rate, the Lions hung tough and kept their composure, coming back from being down 20-0 to tie it at 20-all, go ahead 23-20, then finish regulation time tied 23-23.  Detroit won the coin toss at the beginning of overtime, took the ball down and kicked a field goal.

This is the first time since 1980 that the Lions have begun an NFL season 3-0.  They obviously ARE vastly improved from last year and all the horrible teams since 2001.  Should be an enjoyable fall.  Next week, they will play at Dallas, which should be a good matchup.  GO LIONS!

Gunslinger Perry a Refreshing Change

There is something refreshing about a politician who isn't afraid to tell it like it is -- unvarnished, abrasive, perhaps recklessly offensive. (That is, when I AGREE with what he says.)

Republican Chris Christie got elected governor of heavily blue New Jersey by following that path.  Contrary to what those blow-dried, pretty-boy overpaid political consultants will advise, I believe voters who are fed up with scripted B.S. appreciate straight talk, even if it's a bit gruff and ruffles a few feathers.  After all, if I may resort once again to my "house on fire" analogy, our economic state these days is deplorable.  Just as you don't worry about breaking the picture window with the hose, or spraying water on the carpet, so should you not worry about offending a few faint hearts.  The time for pollyanna platitudes is long gone.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears to enjoy shooting from the hip as he dukes it out in the Republican presidential primary.  Perry called Social Security a "ponzi scheme" and upbraided the Obama administration's Israel policy as "naive, arrogant, misguided."  Way to go, Rick!

Only instead of dialing it down and walking back his comments on Social Security, he really ought to seize on what liberals are fond of calling a "teachable moment."  Perry needs to educate the ignorant masses that there IS NO Social Security trust fund; the system is unsustainable, and due to demographics, it truly is a ponzi scheme unless drastic changes are made in its structure and operations.  This is a golden opportunity to begin making a strong case for reform -- much stronger than the tepid, lame effort former President Bush made in 2005.

There are things I don't like about Perry, such as his support of the mandatory HPV vaccination for young girls, and his wrongheaded, asinine policy of offering in-state tuition rates to college-age children of illegal immigrants.  Nothing like advocating a policy that encourages Mexicans to break the law!

The other thing that concerns me about Perry is that he's spent most of his professional life in the public sector.  Does he really know what it's like to start and run a business in this age of stifling regulations, burdensome taxes and complex labor issues?

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney bothers me because of some of his past actions (most notably his creation of a failed health care system that bears a disturbing resemblance to Obamacare), but also because of his statements on global warming, and some of his positions on gun control.  However, at least he has some solid private sector executive experience, which Perry does not.

We have seen, with the current failed experiment at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., what happens when you put someone with zero executive and private sector experience in the Oval Office.  It is an unmitigated disaster.

One thing's for sure:  It would not surprise me at all if some other candidate besides Perry or Romney ends up earning the GOP nomination.  Recall that at this point in 2007, Rudy Giuliani was considered the frontrunner, but he faded fast in 2008.

Who knows what will transpire once Old Man Winter sets in, the snow begins to fly, and the 2012 primaries start coming in rapid succession.  But one thing I wouldn't mind hearing is more blunt, direct talk and a lot less of the mindless, wimpy mush and rhetoric.

 

 

Tactical flexibility

I have not written about the debacle in South Bend because the pain was just too great.  It is one thing to see a team beaten through superior tactics or talent.  It is another to watch my beloved Spartans once again beat themselves.

That is exactly what happened.  How else to describe a game where the offense clicked and the defense held, yet the team got blown out?

It is just as well that I waited because the man I wanted to blame for this disaster – Offensive Coordinator Dan Roushar - has owned up to it.

Good for him.  A cardinal rule of leadership is to own your failures.  Don’t hide from them, own them.  They are yours.  Only once you accept them, can you improve.  (Politicians have a hard time with this one.)

Perhaps I should have placed my markers Sunday morning or Monday afternoon, stating that bad play calling and an irrational dedication to blocking schemes and trick plays that not only did not work, but could not work did us in.

Certainly I would be able to claim public vindication.  Still, I’ll take the admission for what it is: a positive step.  From the Detroit News article:

It was harsh criticism, but Roushar thought the unbalanced line the Spartans ran at times and the two failed attempts at running plays out of the Wildcat formation were mistakes.

No kidding.

Like many Spartan faithful, I could only watch in stunned disbelief as we ran that lop-sided fire drill two plays in a row – with the same pathetic result.  

Roushar’s mistake was calling plays for the team he wanted to have, not the team that was on the field.  Astute coordinators recognize that sometimes their plans aren’t working and that they must adapt to the conditions that exist.  Yes, it is a great and worthy thing to try to establish a balanced offense, but in a situation where the ground attack is failing, one has to adjust.  

MSU’s offensive line is young and untried.  This means that our mighty running backs have no holes through which they can chew up yards.

The solution is not to keep pounding the ball ineffectually – it is to draw upon our veteran receivers, phenomenal tight ends and uber-seasoned Fifth-Year Senior Quarterback to get the job done.
We are used to seeing stats that the team with greater ground yardage usually wins certain rivalry games, but I wonder how much of that is self-fulling.

That is to say, the coach becomes so obsessed with ground yardage that he focuses on it to the detriment of his aerial attack.

MSU may well have to go airborne this year and make “Death From Above!” take the place of “Pound, Green, Pound!”  

That is our strength.  We need to use it if we are to succeed.

 

If Hillary Supplants Barack...

Or, to expand upon that headline, if ANYONE supplants Barack Obama as the Democrat nominee for president in 2012, it might be nearly impossible for the Democrat to win, even if the economy were to miraculously recover in the next 14 months, which is highly doubtful.

I'll get to my thesis later on, but first let's consider the circumstances "setting the table."

Those who are at least mildly interested in following the spectator sport of politics have probably heard the rumblings in recent days:  Some Democrats think Barack Obama should step aside for the good of the party and let a less polarizing and less tainted candidate be the Democratic standard-bearer in 2012. Check out this column by liberal Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Chapman.

It is clear Obama's act has grown old and tired, and whatever magic and hypnosis he held in 2008 is long gone.  A second term, especially if the GOP regains control over the Senate, would likely be a lesson in futility.

Others speculate that Obama himself might decide to step aside.  Their reasoning is plausible:  All his life, Obama has regarded himself as the smartest guy in the room, and he's become accustomed to obsequious admiration and gushing praise.  I suspect he gets a "high" off of it as his collosal ego is gently massaged day in, day out.  Praise and adoration for Barack are like a syringe full of heroin for the addict.  He needs his daily fix!

But cut out the love-fest, and dare to criticize him, and he's like a heroin addict gone cold turkey.  He is thin-skinned and displays petulance and petty, angry behavior when he doesn't get his way and people have the cajones to oppose him.  This kind of behavior is not at all shocking, but it does lend credence to the notion that he might not run for re-election and risk the crushing ego-blow of being fired by the American people.

Put yourself in the O-man's shoes:  If you were an egotistical, narcissistic president used to getting your way and having people fawn all over you, and realized the gig was almost up, that you stood a very real chance of getting ousted in your re-election bid, wouldn't you seriously consider quitting and trying to frame the situation with your own spin?

You could dump on the do-nothing Republicans in Congress and "reactionaries" in the Tea Party; you could inveigh against the broken system of government and failed American institutions... spin ad nauseam to CYA.

Granted, not everyone would buy it, and the mocking, ridicule and downright hatred would be palpable. (No whining now; it comes with the territory.  As Harry Truman said, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!")

But the "afterlife" ain't exactly chopped liver.  Obama would still have his admirers on the left, in the New York Times editorial offices, and in the salons of Europe, and could spend his time traveling the world with Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, hauling in $250K per speaking gig, writing books, and being feted by Third World dictators.

One of the raps against Obama is he doesn't enjoy the tedious and mundane grunt-work of being president.  In many high-paying, high-profile executive jobs, including the presidency, you sometimes have to endure interminable meetings, negotiations, failed plans, clashing egos, frustrations, mindless bureaucracy, and a boatload of other unpleasantries.  That is, you have to persevere and prevail if you truly want to be successful.

But Obama seems to enjoy the pomp and circumstance, the speeches before Congress or admiring crowds, the travel on Air Force One, the state dinners, the vacations, but not the down-n-dirty hard work.  He could escape the grind as an ex-president, but resume with the starry-eyed groupies and sycophant reporters.  Can't say that I wouldn't make that choice if I were in his shoes.

Now, back to Hillary.   Polls of late have shown her to be immensely popular.  Tens of millions of Americans believe she would make an excellent president, and it's a safe bet that many Obama voters from 2008 wish she had won the Democrat nomination instead.

What would sink her chances in 2012?  Not her healthcare debacle of 1994.  And not "Clinton Fatigue," the sense that we don't want another taste of that dynasty; we're done; it's over; let's move on.  (The same sentiment, it's worth noting, that would render Jeb Bush a nonstarter in 2012 or 2016.)

No.  What would sink Hillary would be the same thing that would render any other non-black Democrat nominee hopeless:  A sense of bitternenss, abandonment, betrayal and anger among African-Americans.  Even if Obama spun it as his decision and downplayed pressure from party bigwigs, they would be angry and suspicious.  They would feel they'd been used and were being discarded.

For decades now, blacks who voted in presidential elections have gone at least 90 percent for Democrats.  In November 2012, a few of them might cast their ballots for the Republican nominee based on issues such as school choice, opposition to abortion, and refusal to kowtow to gays, but the vast majority of them might just refuse to vote on election day.  There's a great chance that if Obama is not the Democrat nominee a year from now, black turnout at the polls will plummet in November 2012.

As I've stated numerous times before, the Democrat Party is a house of cards, a vulnerable compilation of special interest groups that don't always see eye-to-eye, and whose gung-ho support is necessary for the party to triumph in presidential elections.  Remove one small sliver of this constituency, and the whole house of cards comes tumbling down.

The Democrat Party is really between a rock and a hard place.  They can throw Obama under the bus and try for a fresh start, but in doing so, will throw millions of blacks under the bus, too.  Or, they can stick with The One, and attempt to defend the indefensible. 

Houdini, anyone?

Spartans Disappoint; Lions Impress

Michigan State just got shellacked by Notre Dame in a sloppy, disappointing performance, but maybe the odds were in favor of a green-and-white meltdown.

MSU had won 10 of the last 14 meetings with Notre Dame, including a five-game winning streak in South Bend.  Two years ago, the Spartans lost 33-30 in South Bend after quarterback Kirk Cousins threw an ill-advised late game pass that was intercepted, preventing the well-within-field-goal-range squad from tying it up and sending the game into overtime.

Saturday, I suspected Notre Dame would come out with more fire and emotion after losing two close games the first two weeks of the season, including the Sept. 10 loss to Michigan in the last 2 seconds of the game.  And that they did.  The Irish ran a kickoff back for a touchdown, and they dominated in the trenches, limiting Michigan State to a meager 29 yards of rushing. 

Michigan State also shot itself in the foot with 12 penalties and some idiotic play-calling (too many futile runs up the middle that were stuffed), and a ridiculous attempt at a fake field goal near the end of the first half when anyone with half a brain knew Notre Dame would be extra cautious against fake field goals after the Spartans' successful "Little Giants" fake FG that defeated the Fighting Irish in 2010.

At any rate, it's a long season, and I still believe this MSU team has the talent and experience to go 8-4 this season, or maybe in a best case scenario, 9-3.

Turning to the NFL, the Detroit Lions pummeled the Kansas City Chiefs, 48-3 at Ford Field in Detroit.  It's been a long, long time since Detroit has dominated like this.  Most damning for Kansas City were the Chiefs' six turnovers, including three interceptions by the Lions.  Detroit finished with a 23-12 advantage in first downs, and outgained KC 411-267 in total yards.  The Lions only had four penalties called against them, compared with eight for the Chiefs.

It's still too early in the season to know how good the Lions might be.  Kansas City finished 10-6 in 2010 and qualified for the playoffs, but a week ago got destroyed at home by lowly Buffalo.

Still, it looks like this year's edition of the Detroit Lions is a force to be reckoned with.  And this long-suffering Lions fan is ecstatic.  It's going to be a thoroughly enjoyable autumn, despite the miserable Obama administration and its economic wreckage.

A TRUE HERO — It's been said that you can have no better friend, and no worse enemy, than a United States Marine.  Dakota Meyer, a 23-year-old Marine who received the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama, exemplifies that creed.

Meyer risked his own life on behalf of fellow servicemembers in Afghanistan, rescuing 36 and taking out eight insurgents in the process.  By all reports, he's a humble, modest guy.  So typical for the U.S. Marine Corps, an organization that exemplifies quality and integrity.  Semper Fi.

 

The third week of football - is Kelly really that bad?

The Posse has been remiss in college football coverage but we can only plea work saturation.  Indeed, not only did I miss the MSU game, I also missed the U-M/Notre Dame matchup – an epic struggle which will go down in history as The Least Consequential Game Ever.

As is customary, the Spartans are looking good in September, and their utter domination of Florida Atlantic Community College is encouraging insofar as it shows we have mastered the art of running up the score on a defenseless opponent.  Call it the Bret Bielema school of sportsmanship.  Still, there is something to actually achieving the college football equivalent to a “Flawless Victory” on Mortal Kombat.

Listening to the postgame show, former MSU quarterback and current color commentator Jim Miller (whose career overlapped my days at the university) noted that in terms of pure talent, one must go back to the glory days of the 1960s to find a roster with so many standouts.  This is why I’ve made such a Bold Prediction ™ that MSU should win all but two games.  And after watching Iowa and Ohio State, I stand by it.

At the same time, I cannot easily shake off decades of Spartan underachievement.  George Perles had some impressive teams but managed to piss away his opportunities with a 3-8 season, our first loss to CMU and of course NCAA sanctions.

Then it was Nick $aban’s turn, and we all know how that worked out.  A program poised on the brink of greatness was reduced to the Bobby Williams nightmare and the John L. Buffoon humiliation.

Still, things are changing at MSU and winning a share of the title is a big deal.  So maybe we really have stepped it up to the next level.

THE IRISH FIGHT LIKE IRISHMEN:  That is to say, they lose.  Let us remember that for all of their alleged martial prowess, the Irish were dominated by the most effeminate nation on the planet for centuries – and only obtained their independence when the English essentially got bored with peaty beer.

I can’t help but wonder:  What happened to Touchdown Jesus and the Luck of the Irish?  These guys have pulled out so many last-minute saves over the years it was their calling card.  Yet they can’t seem to catch a break against the Skunk Bears.  Maybe I overrated Brian Kelly’s skill at head coach.  On paper, the Irish should have dominated – just like last year.  Both of my predictions for U-M were predicated on the notion that Kelly wasn’t an idiot and would have his team ready.  In both games, the Irish looked strong and capable in the first half before simply collapsing in the second.

Does Brian Kelly have the John L. Smith disease?  Will he slap himself?

The Notre Dame faithful must be getting a wee bit ornery, what with their awful coaching selections for the last few years.  Bob Davie, Tyrone Willingham, The Blimp and now Brian Kelly have all failed in one way or another.  Kelly can still save the season, but if the Spartans can hammer them into the turf (and they absolutely SHOULD), one has to wonder what an 0-3 start is going to do for his reputation as a turnaround guy.

THE YPSILANTI CUP SERIES CONTINUES:  Ah yes, the U-M/Eastern Michigan rivalry continues this week as the most hapless of the “directional” schools wanders across the street for their annual payoff.

Some have questioned my statement that Michigan should win seven games, but if anything I may have sold the Skunk Bears short.  I figured that Notre Dame would hammer them and we know how that worked out.

It’s also worth noting that the Wolverines are one of the most stay-at-home teams in the country, and with eight home games yet again this year, it doesn’t get more lopsided than that.

Eastern Michigan features a couple of maized alumni – Ron English and now Mike Hart.  We’ll see what they can do to Alma Mater (my prediction:  Not much).

Just to look ahead a little, San Diego State comes after that and then a thoroughly unpredictable Minnesota.  After five games, they will take the road to Northwestern, where things could get interesting.

Still, if you buy your Block M apparel at Walmart, you’ve got to love the fact that your team won’t leave its overbuilt stadium until the second week of October.

MOLON LABE:  Myofficial reaction to the special Nike Pro Combat uniforms is a resounding "Meh."  Whatever the guys like, just win.

A Big-Time Harbinger

For the first time in nearly a century, a Republican was elected to Congress from New York's Ninth Congressional District, which includes portions of Brooklyn and Queens in New York City.  Retired TV executive Bob Turner was elected to fill the seat vacated by disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner, who resigned after a sexting scandal.

Turner is a pro-life Roman Catholic, an ardent critic of Obamacare, and a strong supporter of Israel.  The fact that he defeated a Jewish candidate in a heavily Jewish district speaks volumes about how Jewish voters, regardless of party, are disenchanted with President Obama's policies toward Israel and his frequent kowtowing to Palestinians.

Democrat candidate Dave Weprin certainly didn't help himself when he mistakenly told the New York Daily News he thought the national debt was $4 trillion. (Only about $10 trillion short, Dave.)  Need I say how much scorn and mocking the mainstream media would engage in if Sarah Palin or Michelle Bachmann had made such a stupid mistake?

Some Democrats are attempting to spin Tuesday's results as no big deal, or a fluke occurrence not indicative of trends to come.

“It’s a very difficult district for Democrats,” said Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, noting its Democratic margins there tend to be the second lowest of all the districts in New York City.  Okay, whatever.

If I were an Obama campaign staffer or an incumbent Democrat in Congress, I'd be updating my resume and exploring some options right about now.  It is becoming increasingly clear that millions of people in this country have lost faith (if they ever had it) in the failed experiment at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Interestingly, a fair number of Democrats in Congress are not very happy with the president's "PASS THIS BILL" jobs program.

Despite all of the assurances from Obama supporters, including media lackeys, about how cerebral and bright the president and his top advisors are (remember that Ivy League pedigree!), a couple of recent fiascos have underscored the stupidity and foolishness of Obama administration policies.

One is the disastrous "Fast and Furious" gunwalker program, which allowed thousands of U.S. weapons to fall into the hands of Mexican drug thugs and gang bangers.  ATF director Kenneth Melson has already been canned (albeit reassigned to another position), and more heads are sure to roll.  This ugly scandal will play itself out over many months, with finger pointing, excuse making and pathetic spinning by Democrat sycophants.

A second debacle is the Solyndra solar panel manufacturer filing for bankruptcy after sucking up hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars and earning Obama's mindless "green jobs" praise. (Has he been taking cues from Jennifer Granholm?)

There is a robust congressional inquiry into this crooked outfit, and the FBI is also sniffing around.  Read Michelle Malkin's incisive piece about Solyndra and other green follies in National Review.  (It almost makes me embarrassed that green is the color of my alma mater, Michigan State!)

So the slow-motion train wreck continues.  As the economy continues to crater, and the Obama administration gets more and more desperate with November 2012 drawing near, expect some rats to jump ship and write "kiss-and-tell" books.  And know that the administration's operatives will be like the proverbial wounded, rabid animal in a corner.  Watch out, danger lurks.