But no – I’m talking about Michelle and Sarah … two women who couldn’t possibly be more different.

Unless you’ve been off hiking the Appalachian Trail, you’re well aware of Sarah’s big announcement. She called a hasty news conference to let us all know, yesterday, in a rambling and uninformative speech, that she is stepping down as Alaska’s chief executive.

There’s lots of speculation on line as to why she’s doing it. It certainly would free up her time to prepare for a presidential bid in 2012. (And by prepare, I mean something like go to college, look at some maps, or read some books — but I don’t think that’s what she’s likely to be thinking.)

There’s also speculation that she’s just quitting … and also about new and bigger scandals that are about to break — and I must admit that I like that idea. Anything that would actually put this divisive individual’s ambitions onto the trash heap of history would be most welcome.  Here’s a great quote from Shannyn Moore, whose article is linked just above:

I have said Sarah Palin’s political ambition combined with her intellect is like putting a jet engine on a golf cart; lots of horse power and no steering capabilities. Today she proved it.

Lots of commentary out there – from a cavalcade of pundits on Politico – to Nate Silver on FiveThirtyEight.  And then of course there’s the full text of her speech, for anyone with the time/energy/patience and diagnostic chops to wade through it.  (If you do read it … or watch these Top Ten Videos of the Palin Experience … just keep thinking about this person being in a position to represent YOU on the world stage.)

I also must admit that, depending on my mood, I can feel it either elated or empathetic about the dilemma and divisiveness that she brings to the GOP. If she really is going to be getting more active on the national stage, then the bitter fragmentation, polarization, and right-wing radicalization of the Republican Party will continue — and they will be increasingly marginalized. That’s overall good for the Democrats — but it also means that the flames of shrill and narrow minded bigotry will continue to receive lots of oxygen in this country. Sad.

Anyway, in contrast to this loudmouthed, hypocritical, narcissistic and shallow woman, we have our very own first lady, Michelle Obama. Far more qualified to be President than the soon to be former governor, Michelle prefers to put her values into action quietly and without fanfare. I love what she is doing with the bully pulpit she has been given, and follow her activities with much more interest than I ever have ANY first lady’s. Her outreach to the DC community is so admirable — and so antithetical to anything that would ever even occur to Ms. God Family and Country Palin.

It’ll be interesting to see what they media ferrets out about Sarah in the coming days, weeks, months. Like Michael Jackson, she reflects things about our culture that, in so many ways, I would rather not see or admit to. With Michael I feel like it was our narrow view of what is physically acceptable and beautiful (i.e., whiteness). With Sarah it is our bigotry and our mistrust of intelligence/intellectualism. We had the same thing with Dubya, and look where it got us?! Can we at least learn from recent experience?

I sure hope so!

Meanwhile, in happier news today, we’ve got Wimbledon. We’ve also got the Breakers playing Sky-Blue FC and looking for another win.  Match time is 4PM ET.

The sun is out this morning in New Hampshire, and it’s looking good for a pretty darn dry Fourth of July.

Hey, that rhymes! Here’s to fireworks and happy times!

She died at age 49, a woman of beauty, creativity, intelligence, wit, and gargantuan destructiveness.  The effects of her life are like glass shards after an explosion.  Embedded in the skin … you want to get them out so that they don’t work their way into your bloodstream and eventually, lethally, to your heart.

She had her pain, and her story, too – we were pretty much indoctrinated in their intricacies from birth. Big, noisy victim, though.  That’s pretty much what it boiled down to.  Had she lived to be 84 … well … let’s just say JordanCornblog would be a significantly less coherent blog than it is.

So, while the rains continue to fall here, I remember … celebrating the places where I have learned to be different from her … and working to see clearly what I have assimilated and still carry.  It’s a journey, that’s for sure!

Oh … and did you see that the Red Stars beat the Freedom last night?  Good work Stars – nice to see you turn things back in a winning direction.  It was the first ever come-from-behind WPS victory, with the Stars scoring twice in the second half to negate an Abby Wambach tally in the first.

Not so intact are the egos of the Red Sox this morning, I’m thinking, as they blew a 10-1 lead and lost to the Orioles.  A nightmarish ending appropriate for Poe’s old stomping grounds.  The Phillies also lost -- in a see-saw battle with the Braves that went to 10 innings.  This is worrisome -- as these are the sorts of games that they were winning last year.  Lots of time left, though.

Saw a great movie last night at Red River -- “Away We Go.”  Review to follow this evening … but Alice … it’s Alexi Murdoch … remember?

On the political front, Al Franken can finally be seated … and the Dems are out of excuses.  Ready to Cowboy up, folks?

Oh, and Mark Sanford?  Turns out there were other “lines crossed.”  Interesting, how daintily he talks about his “indiscretions” and such -- how different the landscape of adultery and sin and all seems to look to him now.

“If you’re a married guy at the end of the day you shouldn’t be dancing with somebody else. So anyway, without wandering into that field we’ll just say that I let my guard down in all senses of the word without ever crossing the line that I crossed with this situation.”

He let his guard down? Oh right … because evil (as in women?) is out there stalking the righteous (as in people like the guv) at every turn.  Let your guard down and they’ll get ya.  Poor guy.  He let his guard down a lot, I’m thinking.  And now he doesn’t think he should resign or anything … nah … he should have a chance to repent, rectify things … you know … all the stuff he’d never allow a Democrat to do.  That would be wrong -- immoral.  What a self-righteous prick.  Perhaps if he changes parties, I will actually believe that he has repented.  Anything less is just self-serving hypocrisy IMHO.  ;>)

Chris Kelly has a nice take on the whole Sanford mess … what it really means when God is in the driver’s seat in your life.

On to soccer -- a far more uplifting subject this morning.  The Red Stars host the Freedom tonight … and try to stop their tailspin.  The match will be available via webcast.

Meanwhile the Sol have clinched the first playoff berth in this inaugural WPS season.  Looks pretty likely it’ll be the top spot, at that.

And here’s a nice video from the Breakers … no commentary needed …

Oh … and congrats, Maren (belated) -- we love you here in NH, too!

What else?  The Phillies appear to have emerged from their funk .. defeating the Rays handily.  (Sorry, Mo!)

The Breakers are gearing up for a trouncing of the Freedom tonight … in which they will also secure a spot in second place in the WPS standings.  That will be nice to see!  (Sorry, Beulah!)

The Athletica play LA tonight, too – in a match-up that could mightily challenge the Sol.  (Let’s hope so[lo]!)

And what’s up with Mark Sanford?  Hiking the Appalachian Trail?  Boarding a plan?  Apparently he’s supposed to be back today … but you have to admit it’s kind of odd behavior.  I did some Googling and found his Wikipedia profile.  He’s a GOPer with a penchant for evading his handlers and disappearing.  Touted as a possible GOP candidate for 2012, I’m thinking he’s gotta get himself under better control.

The deer must be on the move around here, as Willie and Ruby have both been very restless — constantly wanting to go out and sniff the air. Last night when I got home from a meeting Willie asked to go out, and I let him. (We know better than to let Ruby out like that at night.) For the first time in MANY weeks, he took off. At first my calling elicited no response — but then I was quite relieved to hear his jingling collar racing up the hill — my feelings a mixture of annoyance that he had disappeared, and happiness, that he had the energy and interest to take off and then come running back. He also slept on my bed for the second time in as many nights — something he hasn’t done for a while.

So it’s up and down on the Willie front. The meds seem to be staving off the inevitable and, for now, definitely giving him some good quality of life. That’s all to the good!

And speaking of “all to the good” I see that A-Rod has been named the WPS player of the week — kudos to her! I hope her scoring ways continue against the Freedom tomorrow. I don’t know what it is about Abby and the Freedom, but they just make me mad — always have — going back to the WUSA. I do like Sonia Bompastor, however – and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing her play tomorrow night!

Actually, my heart goes out to DC right now (the Freedom notwithstanding) after yesterday’s terrible train wreck. It’s so horrifying to think of what can happen in a split second — how fragile we are — and how fragile are the constructs that we create to keep ourselves feeling safe. That scene looks like an old HO train set that someone just picked up and crushed. Scary.

Phillies lose … again … six now, or seven?

Baseball

by John Updike

It looks easy from a distance,
easy and lazy, even,
until you stand up to the plate
and see the fastball sailing inside,
an inch from your chin,
or circle in the outfield
straining to get a bead
on a small black dot
a city block or more high,
a dark star that could fall
on your head like a leaden meteor.

The grass, the dirt, the deadly hops
between your feet and overeager glove:
football can be learned,
and basketball finessed, but
there is no hiding from baseball
the fact that some are chosen
and some are not—those whose mitts
feel too left-handed,
who are scared at third base
of the pulled line drive,
and at first base are scared
of the shortstop’s wild throw
that stretches you out like a gutted deer.

There is nowhere to hide when the ball’s
spotlight swivels your way,
and the chatter around you falls still,
and the mothers on the sidelines,
your own among them, hold their breaths,
and you whiff on a terrible pitch
or in the infield achieve
something with the ball so
ridiculous you blush for years.
It’s easy to do. Baseball was
invented in America, where beneath
the good cheer and sly jazz the chance
of failure is everybody’s right,
beginning with baseball.

Here’s contact info for Daschle (and others) from the Daily Kos – in a post featuring lots of info about healthcare reform.  You’ll be reaching Tom at his law firm office where he lobbies for health insurance companies, among other clients whom I imagine to be equally trust-inspiring relative to this debate!

Hold your ground, Barack!

Speaking of holding your ground … I like the way that Judge Emmett Sullivan is handling the question of whether or not to release those Cheney interview transcripts in CREW v. Cheney … even while Obama is morphing into Bush on the subject of transparency.

What’s up with that, Barack?

Power corrupts … is that the story?  Shit – I hope it’s not that simple, boring and depressing.  Better turn to the simpler world of soccer, eh?

The USWNT is heading to Germany for a friendly this fall – and Pia is apparently worried about the players’ fitness levels.  Check out the BigSoccer discussion thread here for more detail (and debate) …  Sounds like Carli … among others … needs to get on the stick.  (I kinda hope Carli waits ’til after the Breakers and Red Stars play today, to come out of her funk.)

Here’s Goal.com’s WPS preview for the weekend … which finds the Freedom facing off against the Athletica … while the Breakers meet the Red Stars in Chicago today.  Sunday’s 6PM TV match-up has the Sol vs. the Pride.  Who do you like?  I’m going with the Athletica, the Breakers, and FC Gold Pride … out on a (shaky) limb with my heart in my hand, of course.

Meanwhile, the Phillies are slumping (getting pummeled by the AL is what’s happening).  Hopefully they’ll get back on track soon … and that’s about it for now.  Gotta get out in the garden before the sun gives way to rain again!

I’m back at work for day two — and still catching up with e-mails and such.

Scanning the news, I see that the white supremacist shooter who snuffed out the life of a guard at the Holocaust Museum, appears to have indulged in child pornography. While the news venues are careful to indicate that this is all “alleged” and “suspected” at this time, I’m not inclined to give the bastard the benefit of the doubt — any more than he did (or would) to anyone else.

Isn’t it ironic how these vicious right-wingers are always the ones with the hidden fetishes and weird, repressed, proclivities?

Twisted minds bearing the fruit of twisted deeds.

I think of my grandfather on my mother’s side — then think better of it — why start the day on that note!?

Shifting gears (but only a little) I see that Dubya is beginning to criticize Obama. I guess we should be thankful for the silence that we got. It’s nice to see that Dubya’s contribution to the discussion is a substantive as we’d expect from that incisive and curious mind. I say go back to scooping poop — and invite Dick to join you, please!

On the soccer front, here’s an article about the Breakers’ recent game with some mention, at the end of the newest WPS expansion team — down in Atlanta.

The Beat goes on!

On the socer front, the Breakers and FC Gold Pride played to a 1-1 draw in Cambridge … in a game that sounded like a tale of two halves.  I’ll look forward to hearing details from those who were there.  The Red Stars lost to FC Sky Blue (1-0) … and I am still hopeful that both the Breakers and the Red Stars will get back on track and realize their early promise.  (Caveat – as someone born and bred in Philly, my hopeful phannishness should probably be seen for what it is … mostly reaction formation verging on delusion.)

Interesting piece here from Salon – about where we’d be now if McCain were POTUS.  How ever I feel about what Obama has and has not done … this makes me count my blessings!

Anyway … onward!  I’m back to work today … with a soccer game to root at this evening at NHTI-Concord … unless wet weather sends me straight home!

So I see the Phillies avoided a sweep – losing two but coming back on Sunday and chasing my absolute least favorite of the Red Sox … Josh Beckett … right out of the game.  Jimmy Rollins (we hope) is back on track.  Wouldn’t mind at all of he and Big Papi followed a similar trajectory and both had fabulous summers!

On the soccer pitch, though A-Rod looked better than in previous games, the Breakers lost their first home match … at the hands of The Athletica.  Next up – FC Sky Blue on Wednesday night at Harvard Stadium!

In Iran, demonstrations continue and, in a reversal, the supreme leader has ordered an inquiry into the voting.  (This link is to a fascinating, live feed of news streaming in from Iran …)  If you go to Twitter and search under #iranelection you can see the Twitterfeed …

Social media at its best!

We’ve got another round of WPS previews, as well as a nice profile of the Breakers’ break out defensive star, Sue Weber.  This weekend’s games will help break up a 3-way tie for third place in the WPS – an slot the Breakers would like to move out of tomorrow!

Michael Rowe has put up some good commentary on the Huffington Post about right wing hate speech and whose hands are bloody after horrific events like this past week’s shooting in DC (or the murder in Wichita). Ann Coulter, are you listening? Do you have a soul? A brain that computes anything beyond craven self-interest?

Then we’ve got another piece by Greg Mitchell, who’s done little exploring about what the white supremacists have to say about the shooting at the Holocaust Museum. It is so weird to think, as I look out my window and watch the sunrise, that the landscape harbors whole populations of ideologically skewed creatures who move among us, thinking such weird and paranoid and destructive thoughts. It feels like what you see when you pick up a stone and all sorts of things scurry toward the shadows.

I guess if you’re a white supremacist, you would find my words the typical condescending liberal crap. It’s amazing to me that there can exist such a huge divide in so-called rational thought. Is it rational? Or is one of us crazy?

I certainly react to the far right as if it were crazy. Is it possible that it isn’t? And if it is, how can there be so many people who subscribe to its notions? Do they really believe all that stuff?  Does Ann Coulter drink the Kool-Aid that she makes a living off of?  The cynic in me says no — but that’s mostly because I can’t fathom subscribing to that worldview.

From Michael Rowe’s piece …

There was a time when decency, even honor, was an essential part of the American dialogue in its most ideal form, and part of its very identity. There was a time when our culture would have recoiled in horror at the vituperation flowing unchecked from radios, televisions, and the Internet, instead of applauding it as “common sense,” “free speech,” or “mavericky,” or “a spin-free zone.”

There was a time when intellectual honesty was not considered unpatriotic; when compassion for, and understanding of, your fellow man was a sign of strength, not weakness. There was a time when the phrase Have you no shame? meant something, and the First Amendment was not used as toilet paper to wipe up the excremental verbal degradation of vulnerable segments of the American population. A time when it was expected that citizens would understand the difference between free speech and irresponsible speech. Somewhere along the line, a cancerous segment of American popular culture and media cunningly metastasized themselves to the long-standing, honorable American “cowboy” motif and mentality, and recast it in their own image. They grafted cruelty, divisiveness, and ignorance to it, making the two appear indistinguishable, and natural allies. And they are neither, or at least ought not to be.

Well, it’s about time to start the day. I’ll be signing off till Monday morning, most likely. Hope you have a great weekend.

In the interim, anyone who could (please) stop by and explain the far right would be most welcome!

I see in the news that the election in Iran is underway and too close to call. Whatever happens, it does feel to me like things on the world stage are shifting, having been frozen in various postures of stiff extremism for the past eight years.

And here’s an interesting op ed from the Times re. the Supremes (thanks, Alison)!

To hear both critics and defenders talk about the fitness of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, you’d think the most successful Supreme Court justices had been warm, collegial consensus-builders. But history tells a different story. Measured by their lasting impact on Constitution and country, many of the greatest justices have been irascible, socially distant, personally isolated, arrogant or even downright mean.

Stephen J. Field, appointed by Lincoln, once insulted a woman’s romantic past so outrageously from the bench that her husband later attacked him on a train – and was shot dead by Field’s bodyguard. Louis D. Brandeis was famously distant: one of his law clerks recounted working until the small hours of the morning on a challenging opinion; as he slid his draft under the justice’s door, silent fingers pulled it through, with no human acknowledgment of the joint effort.

The Phillies and Red Sox both beat their respective New York rivals last night, and will now face off in a weekend series. I’ll be otherwise occupied for a portion of the weekend, and so will miss out on some, but not all, of the fun!

There are several WPS tidbits out on the airwaves this morning, including:

• An article about the flair that the foreigners bring to WPS play.  This is a boon for the USWNT, overall.
  
  

  U.S. players also are getting more of an opportunity to learn and practice the possession game favored by U.S. national coach Pia Sundhage.

  “It’s very clear that (Sundhage) wants the ball on the ground,” WPS chief operating officer Mary Harvey says. “You see WPS teams playing that. You’ve got seven (coaches) with slightly different attacking styles, (but) you don’t really have long-ball teams.”

• The weekly power rankings — where we expect the Breakers to begin to rise, starting Sunday evening!
• An article about Mia in retirement.  “The WPS’s logo is a silhouette of Hamm striking the ball, her iconic image as much a part of the future as it was the past.”

Oh yeah – and the Eagles and Donovan are happy together .. and heading to the Superbowl.  You read it first on JordanCornblog!

But it’s Sunday — a day for, if not loftier thoughts, at least not the kind of bitterness that Cheney brings to mind. I’m gonna shift gears entirely, first, with the sad news that the Cavs were eliminated last night by the Magic. While a Lebron versus Kobe finals would have been fun, I can now happily root for the underdog Magic almost as if they were a Philly team! Speaking of Philly teams, the Phillies moved back into first place with a win (and a Mets loss). Sadly the Red Sox were unable to duplicate that feat and slipped a little further into second place with another loss to the Blue Jays yesterday.

On the WPS front the LA Sol won again, defeating the Athletica two to nothing. Come on guys somebody needs to beat the Sol so the Breakers can gain some ground! The Freedom play FC Gold Pride this afternoon before the Breakers tee it off against FC Sky-Blue for the 6 PM, televised game.

Last night I saw “Sugar” at the Red River Theatres in Concord. Excellent movie about (oversimplification) trying to make it in baseball — I highly recommend it. After the movie, its star Algenis Perez Soto answered questions from the audience. The star appeared to be much like the character he played — refreshingly grounded, open, and sincere — as well as quite talented. On a day when Susan Boyle came in second (to her relief, I have to think), it was nice to see another “unknown” get a chance.

What else?

I think I’m going to join the Ironweed Film Club — something that I stumbled upon while checking out the Air America site and looking at their blog roll. It looks a cool idea. They take independent films — sounds like quite often it’ll be a documentary — mix in a couple of related short films (also independent) and create a monthly DVD which then gets shipped to members. Seems like a great way to support independent film, and have a way of sharing these films that might be otherwise inaccessible (especially for us non-urban types), with friends and family.

Finally, I’d like to share the poem excerpt that appeared on The Writer’s Almanac this morning. “Song of Myself” was, I am convinced, a literary lifesaver for me when I was in high school. My first real extended experience of unabashed self regard and self nurturing — it was a fascinating revelation for someone who needed a bit of self regard right about then! I wonder how many others have stumbled upon “Song of Myself” in the nick of time — that surely was the case for me. Thanks Walt!

Song of Myself (excerpt)

by Walt Whitman

This is the meal equally set, this the meat for natural hunger,
It is for the wicked just the same as the righteous, I make
appointments with all,
I will not have a single person slighted or left away,
The kept-woman, sponger, thief, are hereby invited,
The heavy-lipp’d slave is invited, the venerealee is invited;
There shall be no difference between them and the rest.

This is the press of a bashful hand, this the float and odor of
hair,

This the touch of my lips to yours, this the murmur of yearning,
This the far-off depth and height reflecting my own face,
This the thoughtful merge of myself, and the outlet again.
Do you guess I have some intricate purpose?
Well I have, for the Fourth-month showers have, and the mica
on the side of a rock has.

Do you take it I would astonish?
Does the daylight astonish? does the early redstart twittering
through the woods?
Do I astonish more than they?

This hour I tell things in confidence,
I might not tell everybody, but I will tell you.

20

Who goes there? hankering, gross, mystical, nude;
How is it I extract strength from the beef I eat?

What is a man anyhow? what am I? what are you?

All I mark as my own you shall offset it with your own,
Else it were time lost listening to me.

I do not snivel that snivel the world over,
That months are vacuums and the ground but wallow and filth.

Whimpering and truckling fold with powders for invalids,
conformity goes to the fourth-remov’d,
I wear my hat as I please indoors or out.

Why should I pray? why should I venerate and be ceremonious?

Having pried through the strata, analyzed to a hair,
counsel’d with doctors and calculated close,
I find no sweeter fat than sticks to my own bones.

…

I exist as I am, that is enough,
If no other in the world be aware I sit content,
And if each and all be aware I sit content.

One world is aware and by far the largest to me, and that is
myself,
And whether I come to my own to-day or in ten thousand or
ten million years,
I can cheerfully take it now, or with equal cheerfulness I can
wait.

The activities of these dudes so speaks to the fruits of the kind of self-righteousness and repression that is so often the hallmark of Bible thumping fundamentalism. Of course, with Cheney, Rumsfeld et al. I don’t really think there’s an actual religious component to what they did. But you never know, maybe they’re crazier than I have even imagined.

The bottom line is that these acts are well documented, and the trail leading to the very top echelons of government also appears to be pretty much undeniable. They need to be unmasked. They need to be brought to justice — that’s the kind of humiliation they deserve.

I look at the photos of Phil Spector that have been on the Internet recently, as he’s been convicted and sentenced. The emptiness and fear on his face feels like a reflection of the souls of Cheney Rumsfeld Bush Rice. They all conspired. They all did it. They all should be brought to justice.

Rumsfeld should NOT get to walk around freely. Rice should NOT get to visit her alma mater and talk to students. Cheney should NOT get to have any audience other than prison guards. Bush showed NOT get to walk his dog and pick up his poop — or share a stage with Bill Clinton in Canada. (Bill, what the hell are you thinking?)

Okay — let’s move on to soccer before I lose all sense of decorum.

First, here’s Beulah’s write up of the US trouncing of Canada this past Monday. Sorry to be so late posting it!

Next, here’s the WPS preview for the weekend from goal.com. We begin today with the Sol versus Athletica — a game that I could easily see the Sol losing (which would be a nice boon for the Breakers). Next up will be the Freedom versus FC Gold Pride — and then in the televised game, the Breakers versus the Ian Sawyerless Sky-Blue. Of course I will be rooting for the Breakers, and I hesitate to say it because I don’t want to jinx them, but a part of me really does want to see Sky-Blue and Kelly Lindsey do well.  The Red Stars get a bye this week, and can probably use one, as they’re coming off a bit of a rough patch.

I see that West Chester University is celebrating (on June 6) 50 years of women’s sports. I was hoping for lots of pictures and factoids on the net, but nothing’s been posted yet. If you go to this site you can check out the list of attendees — brings back a lot of memories as I see names like Vonnie Gros (where’s Marge Watson, I wonder – still ensconced at Ursinus?), Valerie Walchak (CB take note), Cathy Rush (Immaculata, of course – but a WC alum), etc. It still makes me sad to not see Beth Allen on that list — she should be there.

I think I remember that Mr. Sawyers has had a reputation as a hothead. Didn’t he leave some college coaching stint in the midst of controversy?  Stanford? I’m sure that Julie Foudy can hold her own with a strong-willed, temperamental, fiery dude — but isn’t she pregnant — or recently gave birth .. or something? I’ve gotta think it ain’t fun in the Foudy-Sawyers household this morning.

I’ve always been a fan of Julie but, based on little-to-no actual knowledge, always had a question or two about her taste in husbands.  (Bothered me a bit that he had been her coach … I think starting back at a pretty young age … hmmm.  Double checked and turns out she was 18 and he was 27 when they started seeing one another.  He coached a rival club team … then was assistant coach when she went to Stanford – starting her sophomore year.  Here’s a link to a 2001 SI article by Grant Wahl that does an excellent job of looking at the whole coach-player-romances gig.

Stay tuned — I’m sure there’s a lot more to this than meets the eye (especially given the fact that there’s just about nothing meeting the eye at the moment)!

I’ll do some digging as the day goes on, and will post other tidbits that catch my eye, too. I’m home from work and it’s raining — enough said!

Oh yeah – and GO CAVS!

• Kudos to Obama on an excellent (and politically astute) choice.

• I do not like Giant Forest Hogs (think Rush Limbaugh).
• Nor do I like the Black Mamba Snake (think … hmmm … Mitt Romney?)
• RPE will have to tell the tale(s).

• I DO like Safari Lager … will have to see if HollyCornblog and CharlieHopbrew can find any of it in the States!
• I DO like Megan Rapinoe … even though she isn’t a Breaker.
• And I REALLY like the Breakers’ Alex Scott.
• And I am psyched that the Breakers are on TV again this coming Sunday (if I’m not mistaken).
• Tony D likes what he sees in the Breakers’ young season!
• And I am (yup) running late so have to stop here … with a quick look back at last week in the WPS and some commentary by Andrea Canales.
• Watch out for those Giant Forest Hogs – seriously.

Also yahoo-worthy was the USWNT’s defeat of Canada last night — although I must say by the end I was beginning to feel a little sorry for Carolina Morace and the Canadian side by the end. It was interesting to see that without Carli Lloyd the US women still seem to do just fine. I thought that the “new” players that Pia was taking a look at did quite well — especially Megan Rapinoe and Amy Lepeilbut. A-Rod continues to seem a little bit out of sorts.  Neither Sinclair nor Wambach got their 100th goals in this match-up. Stay tuned!

Of course I’m rushing off to work — what else is new? But here’s the complete travelogue video of my recent trip to New York — enjoy!

(Double click and watch on YouTube if you want to see the annotations …) 

In soccer news I see that, apparently, a share of the LA Sol is going to be up for grabs soon. Any buyers? Any suggestions? I wrote in and suggested Geena Davis … wouldn’t that be nice?

Speaking of the Sol, their final game against the Breakers (August 9) has been made the final regular-season TV game for the WPS — smart move. That means that the start time for this matchup will be 6 PM, not 7 PM as originally listed. This could determine the number one spot for the playoffs — it would be sweet if Boston snagged it!

Here’s a nice piece, too, about Pia’s plans for the USWNT. The Olympic win was nice, but Pia isn’t satisfied — nor should she be. Watching WPS play, it is clear that the internationals are tactically and technically way beyond the US players. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do before the 2011 Women’s World Cup. If anyone can do it, Pia can!

In other sports news the Phillies won and, I am assuming, the Red Sox did as well. I saw enough of the Sox game to see Big Papi get another hit!

Swarthmore College recently sponsored a poetry reading in honor of Katherine Morgan — much loved and hugely inspiring history professor. I’ve listened to only a bit of it, but it’s definitely worth checking out if you like poetry or have some connection to the principals!

On the news front, Obama continues to overturn Bush era encroachments on the Constitution (thanks, AMR, for the tip). Former VP Dick continues to speak and snarl. I wish the news venues (other than Fox, of course) would stop covering him. But then I guess I shouldn’t be mentioning him, either. It’s hard to pass up the temptation to snarl back.

Oh, and this exchange between Sean Hannity and Jesse Ventura was too good to not post …

I’ll probably be writing from HollyCornblog’s, but if not, have a great weekend!

I’ll be writing about Dad more in the coming weeks. There’s something I like about the idea of random people Googling William L. Cornog, Jr. and finding out about him. (I am also fighting the inclination to post with equal candor and feeling about my mother — so that people can learn about Ann Murphy Cornog via my recollections and perceptions — perhaps not such a good idea right now — although it’s hard to write about one without including something about the other … to be continued.)

But anyway, what we have in the news this morning? I notice that the Breakers and the Freedom have garnered some fines and suspensions after last weekend’s game. Christine Latham and Tony DiCicco have both been spanked, as the WPS continues to take a hard line on what they see as bad behavior. Joanna Lohman also shared the hot water.  I do have to say that the elbow Latham threw looked pretty egregious on the replay. But what is it about the Freedom? I find it interesting that they have been somehow involved in every disciplinary matter thus far in this young season.

I loved the piece about Kristine Luckenbill, the pride of Paoli! She seems an interesting person, and I’m inclined to stop holding her Dartmouth connection against her. There is also a nice write up about a Texas product who doesn’t make my skin crawl-the Breakers’ Kasey Moore.

Ah, but since were on the subject of Texas, I can’t pass up the opportunity to post these photos (found among the Huffington Post) of the luxurious but tacky looking Bush residence down in the Lone Star State. What an empty looking domicile — fitting for its occupants.  More bathrooms than bedrooms … hmmmm.

In other world news we’ve got Obama interviewing potential justices, Arlen Specter defending Nancy Pelosi, and the GOP attacking her.

Finally, we’ve got the USWNT facing off against Canada on Monday. The game is slated to be televised on Fox soccer Channel — 7PM ET — should be fun to watch!

Turning to the Breakers, here’s a profile of defender Sue Weber – a third round pick out of Hofstra who’s a solid defender for the Blue!

It’s looking cloudy here in Canterbury this morning, and rumor has it that the temperatures are going to soar.  Phillies and Red Sox won … life is good!

I’ll be getting packed up tomorrow night, as I’m heading off to HollyCornblog’s and CharlieHopbrew’s for the weekend — leaving from work on Friday.

If the weather cooperates, we’ll be putting in the dock up at the lake! Let summer begin!