Damage Control.

Today our President George W. Bush came out and "de-classified" an intelligence report that basically says what everyone should already know, and that is the Iraq is one big mess, and that due to the political and social fallout in the country, it's more of a cess pool for terrorism than it ever was. The report also states that the current condition in Iraq is only creating more enemies for the the United States, and that current Terrorist cells are adapting to the militaries methods of fighting them.

The initial report was classified by the NIE (National Intelligence Estimate), which is a collection of all 16 intelligence agencies in the United States, but leaked to the media over the weekend.

Bush's response to the article sounded like his same old song.

"The best way to protect America is to defeat these killers overseas so we do not have to face them here at home"

I'm sure you have never heard that before. Breaking News people, that's not called an answer, it's called a response. This administration has a goody bag full of them that they reach into and use in mass when they are doing damage control.

President Bush claims that the report should be released so the public can draw their own conclusions, and that media reports are only confusing Americans.

Lately the Bush Administration has had to do a great deal of damage control, and this report is only icing on the cake. Afghanistan is slipping away, Iran is growing in power and building allies that are a serious threat to America. Our troops are stretched thin in a battle that has no real strategy or end in site for them.

Let me tell you what really confuses me.

Here's a list of scandals, mistakes, and down right nasty things the Bush Administration has done since 2000, why, because I like lists:

1. Falsified Intelligence in order to go into Iraq as admitted to by Colin Powell the Secretary of Defense at the time
2. The Natalie Plame leak, which has been proven to be no accident and it originated from inside the Bush White House.
3. No direct connection between 9/11 and Saddam Hussein as stated by President Bush himself.
4. Hurricane Katrina
5. Severe cuts to education and emissions levels.
6. The Patriot Act (If you really love Freedom, then you should really hate the Patriot act)
and so on..... Oh yeah then there is Florida during the 2000 election, we all forget about that.

I have had enough of the damage control. The most appalling thing about all of these problems isn't just that they have gone un-punished, but that most of this country sits back idly by and just watches these things happen. Even scarier is that people continue to support these guys. All politicians lie, it's the sad truth, but no administration has lied so blatanly to our faces. This goes beyond partisan politics, this is real problem. Americans better pay very close attention to who they vote for come Novemeber, because if this is allowed to continue it will get worse long before it gets better.

2006 NFL Predictions

Ah yes, here we are, on the brink of my most favorite season in sports. Football. I've been counting down the days until kickoff, and since it all started on Thursday, I figured I needed to get my predictions in before it's too late.

I've read and researched just about every "experts" opinions on this upcoming season, and most of them are picking a lot of the same teams, which are either the Colts, Panthers, Seahawks, or Broncos. I even saw a few picks for the gulp......Bengals. Stranger things have happened, the White Sox did when the World Series last year. Will my picks deviate from the norm so far this year. Not much really.

NFC North
1. Bears
2. Vikings
3. Packers
4. Lions

The Bears should have a cake walk in the North this year, as long as Rex Grossman learns how to complete passes. If that doesn't happen look for Brain Griese to take the reigns. The Vikings are still in rough shape, they ended the season strong, but they had a weak offseason. Brad Johnson is aging, and they don't have a clear cut #1 receiver. Favre is all the packers have this year, and sadly, I see them doing worse this year than last. I won't even talk about the Lions. This has to be the easiest division in te NFL..Oh wait

NFC WEST
1. Seahawks(B)
2. Cardinals*
3. Rams
4. 49ers

The Seahwaks are legitimate, The Cardinals are improving, the Rams are in a free fall, and the 49ers are so young and inexperienced they need help tying their shoes. The seahwaks made no major changes from last year. The Cards added Edge, and Matt Leinart. That offense will be explosive, but the defensive side of the ball will have them coming up short in lots' of games. To improve their running game the Rams signed Stephen Davis, he was awesome a few years ago, but he is damaged goods now. The 49ers have Vernon Davis at Tight End who will help tremendously, but one man does a team not make.

NFC EAST
1. Eagles
2. Giants*
3. Cowboys
4. Redskins

I truly believe the Eagles we re-emerge this year as a team good enough to the east. They were a solid team before T.O, and now that the cancer is out of their locker room, I have a feeling they will return to their old form. The Giants didn't add any new major peices besides the erratic Lavar Arrington on defense, which will help if he actually does his job in coverage. Eli Manning is looking sharper as well. They will put a good fight with the Eagles. The Cowboys looked good in the preseason, but I have serious doubts about T.O and Drew Bledsoe. They won't get along. Good chemistry is key in Football. Especially wide receiver/quarterback chemistry. The Redskins are the most over rated team this season I believe. Their offense is good, but if Brunell goes down it's over, they do not have a solid back up. Their defense should be strong again this season, but it will be tested weekly.

NFC South
1. Panthers (B)
2. Bucs
3. Falcons
4. Saints

The Panthers are one of the best teams in the NFL this year. Unlike a lot of teams in the NFC, they actually went out and addressed their problem areas, whether it be through free agency (Keyshwan) or the draft (D. Williams) . The Panthers are better on offense, and even better on defense. The Bucs should be about the same as they were last year. Chris Simms will be much sharper, but they didn't add any new peices, so they have to hope they improve internally, which is extremely possible considering Cadillac Williams is a beast. The Falcons to me seemed to downgrade their offense this year by letting T.J Duckett go. Dunn is an awesome back, but Duckett helped move the line. I will also stand by my theory that Michael Vick is the most overrated active athlete in professional sports. Take that to the bank Jack. The Saints are on the rise, but I this year won't be the year they break out. They have three strong pieces on offense with Brees, Horn, and Bush, but that's all they have. Their defense is still laggin way behind.

AFC NORTH
Steelers(B)
Bengals*
Ravens
Browns

This division is the most underrated in the league this year, Everyone is giving the Steelers and Bengals their proper credit, they are both solid, but don't sleep on the Ravens. Steve McNair will change a lot for that team. The Browns will be improved if Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow stay healthy, and Charlie Fry lives up to his potential. The Willie McGinnest lead defense won't be a slouch either.

AFC WEST
Broncos (B)
Chargers
Chiefs
Raiders

The Broncos are better on paper this year than last year, adding Javone Walker, and solid back up QB Jay Cutler. Whether or not that translates into wins is another thing. The Chargers made the biggest bonehead move of the offseason right after the Texans taking Mario Williams, and that was letting Drew Brees go. Rivers better pay dividends this season or its happy trails for ol' Marty. The Chiefs have the ridiculous Larry Johnson, but unless he can play defense too, then the chiefs are much better, and hopefully Herm Edwards left his love of mediocrity back in New York. The Raiders just suck. Not much else to say about them. Oh yeah, Aaron Brooks is their quarterback, wait.. They really will terrible.

AFC EAST
Dolphins
Patriots*
Bills
Jets

I couldn't pick the Patriots to win this division based soley on the fact that they have no good receivers. Sure they've got Tom, but Brady is worthless unless he has good targets. Luckily the only team they have to worry about in the division is the Dolphins. The Dolphins are a ton better this year and seem more focused. Sure they dropped the opener, but it was to the defending Super Bowl champions. The Dolphins should win the division, but they wont sniff the Super Bowl, mark my words. If they do I'll send Sports Illustrated's Dr.Z a box of chocolates and a kitten.

AFC South
Colts
Jaguars
Titans
Texans

Here we are, the weakest division in the AFC. The Colts are a good team, but I fail to see how they are any better than last year, if you ask me they are worse. Apparently losing a top five running back makes you better (Edgerine James). However, they are still the best team in the division, but not for too much. The Jaguars are a team that is getting unfairly pigeon-holed, sure they got it handed to them in the playoffs last year, but they aren't a push over team. Byron Leftwhich is a solid QB, and look for Matt Jones to continue to improve at WR. They will miss Jimmy Smith though. Look for them to give the Colts some trouble, especially on the Defensive side of the ball. The Titans are still rebuilding as this is lame duck quarterback year, the QB this season is just setting the stage for Vince Young. As far as the Texans, the only thing they might win this year is the contest for worst front office executives, look out Matt Millain, The Texans are coming.

NFC divisional Playoffs
Eagles vs. Cardinals
Bears vs. Giants

NFC Conference Playoffs
Eagles vs. Seahawks
Bears vs. Panthers

NFC Championship Game
Panthers vs. Seahawks

AFC Divisional Playoffs
Colts vs. Patriots
Dolphins vs. Bengals

AFC Conference Playoffs
Steelers vs. Colts
Broncos vs. Bengals

AFC Championship game
Bengals vs. Steelers

Super Bowl 41
Panthers vs. Bengals

Winner: Panthers

There they are, my picks for the 2006 season. If they are anything like my baseball picks then they will be way off, but I hope not.